Monday 22 September 2014

Shibori Dyeing

I have discovered a new dyeing method and I love it. Shibori Dyeing.
Shibori is a Japanese term for methods of dyeing cloth by binding, stitching, folding, twisting, and compressing, like tie dyeing. Actually it is tie dyeing but the method originated in Japan.

I have done two quick samples, well maybe not so quick, and not because I needed the wool but because I wanted to try it. I used the Arashi process, this is is the Japanese term for “storm” and it’s also known as the pole-wrapping technique. It starts by wrapping fabric around a plastic PVC pipe. Once the fabric is wrapped, tie a piece of twine into a double knot at the base of the pipe. Like the picture on the right and you keep pushing the wool together and tying, until you get to the end, making folds, thus you will have resisted areas where the dye doesn't penetrate.

The dye is then painted on. I used tan wool and dyed it with onion skin dye with some brown added

Here are the results:
Not as successful as I would have liked but not too bad for a first effort. I couldn't find any instructions on what to do with the wool after the dye was applied so I cooked it for a while. That probably wasn't such a good idea as the PVC pipe the fabric was wrapped around distorted in the boiling water. Nevertheless it worked, only the pipe was binned, not to be used again.
I also made too many wraps and the dye didn't penetrate to the inner layers, so I cut that bit off and re-did it with a darker dye. 
Here are some links you may like to have a look at:

Laverne Zabielski shibori dyeing/ 1
Laverne Zabielski shibori dyeing/ 2
Laverne Zabielski Sibori dyeing / 3

Saturday 13 September 2014

Hi everyone
A couple of things for our blog today. Firstly we had the most wonderful meeting in Warrandyte today. There were only four of us with Leanne joining us for part of the day and Robyne not being able to make it, but we still had an enjoyable time of hooking and knitting, while three of us shared pleasant memories of trips overseas.  So we chatted and drank [coffee], ate and generally a good time was had by all.

  Joy has finished her lovely Anne of Green Gables rug and starting her Botanicals rug for Strath, Jen started a poppy rug using the most gorgeous dyed wools [recycled off course], Anne was working on her Pears rug and Chris was knitting for charity and brought along her finished rug entrant for the Botanicals competition in Strath as well. 

And......talking about Strathalbyn, you'll most probably want to be reminded of the Rug Hooking Expo to be held there in S.A on 11th and 12th of October, [info below]. It promises to be such an exciting weekend, with the competition, I just talked about, good company with fellow fibre artists and lots of workshops to attend. Here are the details just to remind everyone; If you click on the links below you'll get a description of  each of the workshops available.




STRATHALBYN RUG HOOKING EXPO

 Saturday & Sunday, 11th & 12th October 2014

Town Hall, High St. Strathalbyn, South Australia

All welcome

Workshops available
  1. Waldoboro (3D)/ Sculptural hooking; Judi Tompkins Profile Workshop Description
  2. Hooking an A3 sized facial portrait from a photograph; Portrait Workshop Chris Noorbergen
  3. Fibre Sculptures; Maggie Whyte Artist Profile & class description
  4. Braiding Techniques; Kathleen Smith & Barbara Philllips Profile and Workshop Description
  5. Proddy;   Miriam Miller
  6. Punchneedle Hooking; Jacqui Thomson Profile & Workshop Description
  7. Dyeing Safely in the Kitchen;  Joy Marshall Class Description
  8. Traditional rug hooking; Jo Franco Profile & Workshop Description
  9. Toothbrush rug making;  Judith Stephens Profile & Workshop Description
So there you have it...be there or be square. Book a workshop right now, you won't regret it.

Anyway, onto the next thing. I would like you all aware of the Simone Vojvodin -Herringbone whipped edge Youtube tutorial link on the left side of the page.
If you really hate finishing your rug as many of us do...I know Joy, not all of us do, then this tutorial is for you. How to finish a rug with a herringbone whip-stitch. From far off it looks like your everyday ordinary whip-stitch, but on closer inspection you'll see a lovely herringbone pattern on the edge. I love it and it gives a nice finish to the rug. Go on, have a look. 
So, as the saying goes...there's your lot for today. Cheers :)

Monday 8 September 2014

The next get together of the Yarra Valley Rug Makers is at Anne's home in Warrandyte on Saturday September  13th. Everyone is welcome. For more information please fill out the contact form and we'll get back to you asap.
Looking forward to seeing you all there. :)