More Paint, Stitch, and Dye

Inspired by an article in "Stitch" magazine (#83), I prepared a piece of dupioni silk for painting. First, I added a backing fabric of cotton, right sides together, and stitched around three sides to create a pocket. Once it was turned right side out, I added several horizontal lines of machine stitching across the silk in two areas. I sprayed the silk with water and began adding fabric paint.

It looks very wet in this photo. I used an old credit card to apply and smush the paint onto the silk in vertical strips. I later used a paint brush to work the paint into the fibers, and smooth it around.

See how much lighter the colours look once the fabric and paint have dried?

I began to add some machine stitching in white and yellows to the painted fabric. It's a bit difficult to see, so check the close-up below.

I've used three shades of yellow so far.
The plan is to add layers of stitch in the colours of the paint onto the silk. Then, later, adding heavier types of thread by machine and by hand.
This is an experiment, and so far, I'm enjoying seeing what happens.

On the new wrapping cloth piece, a wee bit of buttonhole lace has been added to this loop.

The following photos show some of the results from my snow-dying experiment.

Depending on where a piece of fabric was in the dye sandwich, they varied from pale wahes of colours to bright and bold splotches.
Sometimes the dye helped a pattern to show better......

there were some amazing skies.....

very soft patterning.......

dark areas.......

subtle washes......

sometimes the white stitching on the fabric acted as a resist to the dye

does anyone else see a deer?

sometimes the stitching absorbed more colour than the fabric......

hello rorschach........

 results on silk.......













This fabric came from a sheer blouse with white flowers. The sheer fabric absorbed the dye beautifully to create a new striking fabric.

This is a pile of the fabrics I dyed. I'm pleased with the results.

The crewel piece has progressed a little bit from this:

to this:

I'm not sure if those three pale green bits at the top of flower 1 should have more definition on the outline, but I can always add a darker thread later.

I've made a start on flower #2. Lots of padded satin stitch on this one.

This little Dorset Button has lots of french knots.

It's just about the size of a quarter. A second one is in the works.

This ATC sports  a seahorse--my own design--and only needs a backing stitched on before it's completed. Tatted in white thread, I used fabric paint to add a bit of green and turquoise.

 Tatted in a beige and metallic thread, these flowers were also coloured with fabric paints.
Both ATC's and the Dorset Button will be heading out in the mail for someone special.






Well, that's it for my week.
I hope yours has been a fun and creative one.

Hugs from Suz

 

Merry March

Happy March! So why am I merry? Firstly, because it is March, and we're that much closer to spring! Secondly, March is roaring in like a lion, with storms expected all over Ontario again today. Even though I'm not looking forward to the storm,  and more snow, maybe the remainder of March will be lamb-like?........ Well, I can hope, can't I?
On the stitching front, I've made some progress on the crewel project. Considering the number of times I've pierced myself with the needle, maybe that should be cruel project, instead? lol

I'm pleased with how it's coming along, and with the colour choices I've made. 

More buttonhole lace was added in several places,

and now this wrapping cloth piece is finished! yay!

The new piece is already tacked.

I've even begun the titivations with a frill and some bullions.

 Last weekend was all about colour as I used my fabric paints to define some vibrant, and some subtle, laces for upcoming projects.

It was an experiment, and I'm very pleased with the results!

I especially like the soft, mottled look of these pieces.

some of my favourites

 More colour was happening on the back porch as I tried my hand at snow dyeing for the first time.

Don't the colours look wonderfully rich?

It got cold again so the snow hasn't all melted.  I think I'll have to bring the tub inside for the process to finish. I'll post the results next time.

My amaryllis has bloomed ( I was late re-potting it) with 2 flowers on the stalk, and cheers up the living-room, even though the snow can be seen through the window behind it. 
My red amaryllis should be in bloom soon.

I was drawn to the window this morning by a rumble of raucous sounds. These young starlings were fighting over the suet!  I'm happy it's finally being eaten.


I hope you've had a creative and fun-filled week.
Thanks for visiting. Hugs from Suz

Suz: Back to Stitching

Hi everyone! It's been quite a while since I've posted here. I'm getting a bit healthier, so I thought I'd show the last 2 posts from the Tuesday Stitchers blog, where I've been posting weekly.

Now that our family has returned to Australia ( we had a wonderful whirlwind time!!)  there's been opportunities for more embroidery, painting and creating.
Two weeks ago at our Guild meeting, we painted on fabric and then began to embroider the painted designs.

 The first test painting produced this cathedral windows design. I'll add some stitching in a variegated thread.

I used a stencil to create this painted design, too, and began adding thread as soon as the paint was dry. I really like the movement in this piece, and plan to use it to make either a bag or a book cover.

 The following week, I received a blank dishtowel to stitch for the upcoming Fiber Fest. I used an old iron-on stencil and added two roosters to the dishtowel.
I used my fabric paints to add colour.

The two roosters are similar, but not exactly the same.

Adding a variegated red Valdani thread makes the design pop.









I finished both roosters on the tea towel.

Rooster #1

Rooster #2
The tea towel is now ironed and bagged ready for the Fiber Fest.

Then I completed the stitching on the flying plant. I may add a bit more colour, perhaps in a red- orange.

Now I added more paint to this piece with some fabric paint markers. Add a bit of outline stitch variation in a variegated pink floss and this is the result:
On the left is the original stencil painting in one shade of a greyed pink. This was done in a dry-brush technique.
 As you look from left to right, you can see the different stages of painting with the markers.
I'm looking forward to seeing how it looks with all the stitching completed.

Next in the pile for stitching:
Two initials await needle and thread. They may become wee pin cushions.

I hope to get back to my wrapping cloth pieces soon, but there are a few projects I've been working on that must remain secret for now.

This sunset was outside my kitchen window a couple days ago. I love the warm glow!

Hope you've had a fun and creative week.

Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz

Back for a Moment.........

It seems as though it's been a long time since my last post, but now it's near the end of September, and I thought I would bring you up to date.
Unfortunately, I have been ill since my last blog entry in May with a flare-up of one of my autoimmune diseases. Thankfully, I am starting to improve, but I need to focus on getting well and getting stronger. To that end, I've decided to postpone returning to blogging, except for posting my stitching progress once a week at this group blog.  ( You can see my stitching progress here )
I would like to thank all of you for being here and supporting me in my blog ramblings over the last 5 years. I've surely missed the wonderful blogland fellowship during my recent absence, and I wish you all continued success in your endeavours and good health. I'm not sure when I'll return to blogging, but I know that I'll miss you. Thank you.

Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz