GOOD NEWS

I got an e-mail from Hoffman Textiles.  They had charged me for someone else's shipping so they are refunding money to my credit card account.  It means a return of about $10 per bolt back to you.

If you are not in class on Wednesday I will send it to you.  I knew there was something wrong with the shipping costs!

This is the Dior Rose, we will paint the satin in your favorite rose color and then put it together.

I will bring each of you a kit to make one rose and the dye (Jacquard Green Label)  to color the fabric.  You need to bring scissors, a few pins and a needle and thimble.

All the paints we have been using are still available in the room if you want to continue working with them.  I just thought that something new might be fun for the last day.  See you Wednesday.

Sun Prints

I had some time on Saturday to put Seta Color onto fabric and make some sun prints.

Several years ago I had printed sun prints of blue and white and used the fabric to make a quilt 

called "Rice Bowls"  by Kaffe Fassett,  I always liked the quilt and said "someday I will make another

quilt like that since I had given the first one away.  Now I have made fabric and can get going on another "Rice Bowls" quilt.

 I used some square plastic stencils for the sun prints on the right and lower row.  The top left are nuts they were tall enough to make a shadow.

 Washers and popsicle sticks made the images above.

 I folded the wet fabric in pleats to get the stripes.

 These are toothpicks and twists

The bolts of PFD Cotton are here.  I will bring them Wednesday see the last post for more details on the cost.

The PFD Cotton Arrived

The PFD Cotton order arrived.

They are bolts of 16 yards at $4.88 per yard   $78.08
                                                        tax               6.25

Shipping was $429 can you believe it?
Divided by 27 bolts comes to                           15.88  per bolt
                                                                 
                                                              $100.22   per bolt

I will bring the bolts to class next Wednesday you bring your cash or checks.


I checked the retail prices and it varied from $7.00 to $9.00 for the quality we are getting.  On the Internet it still cost $15-$19 for shipping a bolt.

We dabbled in Sun Prints on Wednesday.. THis is a wall hanging I took a photo of using either freezer paper or sticky self liner for the mask.  I hope you are making a plan of what you will be doing on Wednesday.  I have a couple of demos to do, but then you will be using paint to make fabric.

It was a Breakdown

We had a great day using our screens to do "Breakdown Printing".  I love how mine came out, it is very happy fabric.  Now I will microwave dye some plain colors to go with it until I have enough to make a blouse.  There were some very fun and interesting results from the class.  Can't wait for "Show and Tell"
NO CLASS NEXT WEEK
I will see you all again on November 6 and we will play with paint.  If you have any Seta Color or Dyna Flo bring them to class along with fabric.  You can use any fiber with paint so if you have a poly cotton blend or such it will work.  Also any opaque objects you may want to use to make sun prints.

Painting

I  have spent 5 days at a Don Andrews Watercolor Workshop.  

 The title of the workshop was "People in the Landscape"  I have not done many people before so it was a learning experience.   This painting is about learning how to create light and accent on the people.

 This is learning to create a mood and tell a story.  Also using hard, soft and lost edges.

This is working with textures and highlights.   I have a long way to go but it sure is fun to practice,  I just want to keep trying to get better.

I will spend Monday and Tuesday getting things ready for class.  Don't forget to Soda Ash your cotton if you are using cotton to print on.  Bring your screens and fabric, also any stencils, silk screens or stamps you may want to use.

Thickened Dye Printing

Kristina sent me this photo of her cute tee shirt with the smocked front.  This was Parfait Dyeing that was weak dye, but she made lemonade out of lemons.  Way to go!

We will be printing with the screens we painted today.  If you want to take it a step further bring stencils,  silk screen, or foam stamps and you can add to the images you "Breakdown".  It is easier to handle if you are doing yardage for a garment to cut into sections before printing.   For a shirt a section 36" X 45" will do a front or back and another 3/4 yard will do sleeves.  If you have a pattern in mind draw the pattern pieces onto the fabric lightly with a pencil or water erasable pen.  That way you will know just where to print.

If you want a particular color of dye please send me a e-mail   bobbydi@charter.net   and let me know by Tuesday morning.  I'm not making every color, but I will add a few to what I already made.  Also whether you want cotton or silk.

Thank you for accommodating me today so I could go to watercolor workshop for the afternoon.  I am really enjoying it.  I am learning a lot about "Painting People in the Landscape".

Silk Screen Breakdown is Coming

 These are the finished quilts I did from the Photoshop Elements Class.  I am going to develop the succulents into a series of quilts using different methods of coloring the image.  This one is applique.  The upper right hand area is the photo printed onto cotton and used as an applique.  I have one painted in silk dye, planning to paint one in thickened Procion dye and perhaps one using fabric paint.

 I always loved the photo and now I love the quilt.  How to quilt it was one of the problems that needed solving.  I hope it is a suitable solution.

We will be moving onto working with thickened dye.  These are examples of "Breakdown Printing"  I like to do this technique because of the serendipity.  You don't know what you will get as you print and the dried dye melts.  The bottom row has a stencil printed over the breakdown.  Something to explore?

Bring your blank silk screen or supplies to make one.
4 stretcher bars
nylon or poly organza
staple gun (I have one if you don't)
Duct Tape (I have 2 big rolls)

We will paint the screens with thickened dye and let them dry for 1 week.

The next week we will print our screens.    Are you going to do cotton or silk?