Monday, July 9, 2012

Taking Advantage of a Situation




As long as I had the table, I figured I should take advantage and do something else.  I haven't really ever worked in a series, but I like this photo and it seemed like a good idea.


I haven't done any dye painting in a long time.  I have lots of dye thickener in my refrigerator from some "...Fire" blog experiments.  And I have the table.

I have some fabric in the dye studio (AKA the NE corner of the garage) that was in a box labeled "soda soaked fabric."  I took a piece that wasn't too wrinkled and taped it down over the plastic protecting the hibiscus pattern.  

I hope this works.  I don't know how long that fabric has been in there.  I don't know if it is really soda soaked.  The dye thickener was on its last legs -- I tossed the remainder after I finished painting the fabric.  And the trouble with dye painting is that I haven't done it in so long, I had to get out my notes.  I hope I mixed it up right.  I won't know until after it batches and is washed out.  This is somehow worse than the usual excitement with dyeing.  I hope this works...




And instead of my design wall, the action is all under the needle today.  I have started quilting the ink-painted hibiscus.

To see what people who are using their design walls are doing, click here to go to Judy's blog.  

8 comments:

Kit Lang said...

Karen this looks great! I love your hibiscus and it's given me a great idea for something I want to do.

I've also wanted to learn how to paint with dye - so I wish had your notes! ;)

Gari in AL said...

Beautiful. Way out of my abilities so thanks for sharing.

Angie in SoCal said...

Gorgeous! Thanks for sharing, Karen.

~Kris~ said...

Really fabulous. I would love to see how you do this.

Anonymous said...

laughing at your description for disaster, and then amazed at the beauty of the quilt you painted :) I am sure it will turn out perfectly. Crossing my fingers and toes for you.
Vickie, originally from So Cal now loving the cool and green PNW

Beth@IHaveANotion.com said...

Yep I'm thinking a tute on painting.... waiting to see what the needle adds....

Robbie said...

Karen, this is a wonderful piece!!! Great job!!! I love dye painting...so much fun!!

Lynne said...

I'm really enjoying watching over your shoulder as you work. Thanks for letting us ino you studio, er, um, dining room/kitchen.