Dyeing with Indigo

Today I started a new project using Indigo crystals.

I am going to do a Ikat scarf out of 8/2 Tencel. I made 6 bundles of 40 end sections. Then I used  the Fibonacci system to create the patterns I was going to dye each bundle. I started out with the first bundle all white. The next bundle I wrapped all but 2, 2 inch sections 2 inches apart. Then , I wrapped all but 3, 3 inch sections 3 inches apart. The next 3 sections I did the same thing only I wrapped the sections I want to stay white and left the rest to be dyed indigo blue

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Now all the yarn is all counted out and wrapped so Im off to the dye bath. This stuff is crazy. It looks like some weird foamy sludge.  When you put your yarn in and pull it out it comes out a sorta lime green color for about 15 seconds,  then rather quickly it begins to turn a beautiful indigo blue. I LOVE IT.  Here are some pictures…

Does that look gross or what?

I wrapped the warp with garbage bags cut in 1 1/2 inch strips.

 

Here is what it looked like after I rinsed it out. Sorry about the blurr

Batik Turtle Pillow

Right after I learned how to dye fibers and fabric, I decided to order some dyes of my own. Dharma Trading company has a really cool web site with “how to” video’s and a bus load of instructions on different techniques. While I was in a clicking stupor, I came across the section on Batik. I found it very interesting and of course had to order the starter kit.  Sooo, here is the results of my beginner Batik kit.

Here is the beginning of my turtle. The tool you see here is called a Tjanting. You first melt wax in a melting pot, then dip the Tjanting in the wax and fill the reservoir. With this tool you can apply wax in a fine line (with some practice).

 

Moving right along…

vat dyed

After that was cured, I had to use a iron and paper towels to get all the wax out of the fabric.

Next I sewed all the beads on to give it a little bling, then I made it into a pillow.

VIOLA! A turtle pillow.

 

 

 

Tomorrow I will give this cute little turtle pillow to a very special friend of mine. I hope she likes it.

Woven Shibori Scarf’s Done

Here is the results of my latest woven shibori scarf’s.

 

 

I'm still experimenting with the Zebra design.