Let the Dyeing Begin!

Today was an absolutely perfect day for dyeing fabric!  Warm with low humidity!!  Last year I did very little dyeing for myself so I have just a few odds and ends.   I have found also that I really need to dye in 1/2 yard lengths at least to ensure I have enough fabric in the same dye lot for my quilts.  The larger the piece of fabric though, the more difficult to get consistency.  This time however, I decided I would dye one yard pieces.  I purchased a couple of those large plastic Glad bowls to use in conjunction with my gallon plastic bags and dyed 15 one-yard pieces.  This time I did bright solids but plan to do another batch of mottled fabrics. 

I have to tell you though, it is truly work/time intensive.  The more I dye fabric, the more I can appreciate the $25/yard costs of some you buy.  If it is "truly" hand dyed, it takes a little over an hour just to prep; then you have to mix each of the dyes wearing a very uncomfortable mask; then you have to measure in each "recipe", and if you are doing solids, you have to work it into each piece of fabric; then you have to box that piece; clean up to for the next color and start all over.  It took me all morning (about 3-4 hours) to dye the 15 pieces and the work isn't over yet.  This morning I have to go out and rinse EACH piece by hand, and then machine wash, dry and iron.  Whew!  Maybe I need to surf some hand dyes and push a couple of buttons (LOL).  If you get a chance to buy hand dyes just don't get your nose bend out of shape if they are not $5/yard.  Appreciate all the work that went into making that beautiful piece.

Indigo and batik are on my list to try this summer! Hope I find it as enjoyable!  I am on the look out for a inexpensive electric skillet to melt my wax.  They have wax pots, but they seem a bit pricey when a electric skillet would do just as well.  I will investigate more!
 

I am also busy quilting Yin-Yang.  It is closer to a king and so taking a little longer.  Actually, I could really have finished it, but had some problems with tension which made me just walk away.  After a deep breathe and a couple of blue labels (Pepsi's), I came back and all I needed to do was to move to a bigger needle.  How simple was that.  I am using a rather complex panto of feathers, so the going is a little slow.  I am not sure I really like the top thread I choose (a dark beige), but at this point, I am NOT going to change it.  The back thread matches perfectly with the muslin back, and I am sure once it is washed, the crinkles will mask any "issues".  At any rate, it is MY quilt and so I am less anal if it belonged to someone else (another reason for not quilting for others---I get so stressed).

Next week I will be at a conference where I can just sit and listen!  Looking forward to that!  My flowers and veggie "garden" are all doing well in spite of the frequent thunderstorms we have been having.  I will have to post some pictures.

All is well on the home front and for that I am eternally grateful!  Have a wonderful Saturday and I will "talk" to you later!