I have lots of practice and confidence in creating even and lasting colors but the fun challenge for me with this project was to come up with a seasonal palette of mostly homegrown colors. I worked on the back porch of my studio in the late summer golden light of eclipse season which is a serious mood. The palette that emerged was naturally an encapsulation of these influences. I love how that happened! I’m so happy with the colors and I’m so excited to share them with you.
Achieving lasting colors on cellulose fabric requires a five step process consisting of scouring, a tannin bath, an alum bath, a dye bath and finally several rinses and a wash to ensure the colors won’t bleed. This age-old sequence has been practiced for centuries to create beautiful lasting natural dye colors on cellulose fabric. It’s a slow process and there’s no way around it! Each dyed piece is an original artwork.
Each bundle includes 8 naturally dyed colors most of which were grown right here on our farm. Six of the colors are dyed on a 5.4 oz weight organic cotton/hemp blend, and two of the colors are dyed on a 6 oz weight unbleached hemp fabric. These are the fabrics I use to make most of my quilts. If you’re familiar with Essex linen it’s similar in weight and texture.
Everything was cut by hand after dyeing and washing in which a little shrinkage occurred, so the measurements are not exact but each fat quarter measures approximately 18” x 22” give or take.
I have lots of practice and confidence in creating even and lasting colors but the fun challenge for me with this project was to come up with a seasonal palette of mostly homegrown colors. I worked on the back porch of my studio in the late summer golden light of eclipse season which is a serious mood. The palette that emerged was naturally an encapsulation of these influences. I love how that happened! I’m so happy with the colors and I’m so excited to share them with you.
Achieving lasting colors on cellulose fabric requires a five step process consisting of scouring, a tannin bath, an alum bath, a dye bath and finally several rinses and a wash to ensure the colors won’t bleed. This age-old sequence has been practiced for centuries to create beautiful lasting natural dye colors on cellulose fabric. It’s a slow process and there’s no way around it! Each dyed piece is an original artwork.
Each bundle includes 8 naturally dyed colors most of which were grown right here on our farm. Six of the colors are dyed on a 5.4 oz weight organic cotton/hemp blend, and two of the colors are dyed on a 6 oz weight unbleached hemp fabric. These are the fabrics I use to make most of my quilts. If you’re familiar with Essex linen it’s similar in weight and texture.
Everything was cut by hand after dyeing and washing in which a little shrinkage occurred, so the measurements are not exact but each fat quarter measures approximately 18” x 22” give or take.
