Thursday, July 21, 2011

I could have given daily updates

I visit a lot of blogs, although lately I simply haven't had that luxury. A couple blogs I visit provide daily updates of whatever they (the artists) are working on at that time. It's a good way for people to know specific steps in a technique and it keeps the daily updates brief. However, if you are like me, you wait until the technique has been completed, then show it from the beginning. That's why I seldom offer daily updates on my art.


Over the course of four days, I rusted some fabric. I laid out a piece of muslin that had NOT been pre-washed or treated in any way. With all the sizing still in the muslin, I wanted to see how that would affect the final outcome.


I grabbed a bunch of rusty can lids and laid out three in a row. I flipped the fabric onto itself, creating a fabric, rusty lid, then fabric sandwich, and laid three more lids in the next layer. I kept doing this until I ran out of fabric, at which point I folded the fabric in thirds. Please note the one glove I removed to take the photo. I can't state this often enough: don't let rust get on your skin or in your blood. PERIOD!


Now it was time to capture all that rust onto the fabric. I soaked the dry and previously unwashed fabric in vinegar water, then placed it in a plastic bag.


The green from the bag indicates the Dollar Tree insignia. You can also see the saturated fabric through the plastic bag. It is now ready to sit in the Kansas heat for several days.


Add ImageOnce the fabric was unwrapped (again protecting my hands with gloves), I rinsed it three times in baking soda water. When the fabric was dry, it was safe to handle. I suggest if you conduct an internet search for rusting fabric and the information does NOT include wearing protective gloves, that you follow the tutorial with the precautions I have laid out every time I rust fabric or fibers.


What I love about this fabric is some of it stayed completely white, unaffected by the rusting. I believe those white areas are prevalent because I didn't pre-wash the fabric and didn't wet it before I added the rusty lids. Any fabric not protected from, or covered by, the rust took on a beige-y color. I am now anxious to turn this fabric into an art quiltlet or two. Look for more rust dyeing in the near future, too.

17 thoughtful remarks:

Halle said...

Love the rusty circles! They really look awesome!!

Unknown said...

Hooray- more quiltlets!!! I can't wait to see what you do with this gorgeous fabric- I LOVE the spiral patterns you ended up with!

Laura Tringali Holmes said...

I love the pattern, and it's not at all what I envisioned. I was thinking the rust color would migrate and you'd get drip streaks--sort of the tie-dye principle. Thanks for focusing on the safety. Good to be mindful. May I ask about your vinegar-water and baking-soda water proportions? About 50/50?

elle said...

I kinda likw the way you post everything at once, Elizabeth. Those circles are so Cool!

Terri Kahrs said...

Your results are AWEsome, Elizabeth! Can't wait to see the evolution (or should I say elevation) of this stunning fabric into one of your art creations! I guess all of that Kansas heat is good for art projects!!! Hugs, Terri xoxo

Lynn said...

Very creative, looks like a piece of art already, I love the circles.

Nancy said...

Great results with this! Look forward to seeing what you create with it.

voodoo vixen said...

Oh my Elizabeth... love the effect you got from your rusty tin lids on that... if you used a section with two rusty circles it would make an awesome steampunk piece... those circles look like the goggles you see in steam punk fashion!! Some watch parts... a corsetted lady... voila!!

Jingle said...

What wonderful results!!! Very cool!

NEEDLEWINGS said...

Never thought about using can lids! Love the effect!

Patti Edmon Artist said...

Thanks so much for sharing this - I love how it turned out!!! I'm also grateful for your visit... I don't post as often as I'd like for sure - I appreciate you!

Jo Murray said...

Great tips... thanks for that.

rivergardenstudio said...

I love what you have done with this fabric!!! What an incredible project. roxanne

Dandelion and Daisy said...

Ya' know what...sunshine is a KEY ingredient! I have been trying since Sunday to rust some lace and fabric....we've had nothing but clouds, it is not working. I'll try again, the sun really does shine in Oregon...just not much this year! How about metal, Elizabeth, do you use the same methods?

Darla said...

I just have to get going and get rusty! The circles are great.

Darla

~*~Patty S said...

wonderful results from your rusty lids...great fun to see your process E!
oxo

~*~Patty S said...

hello again dear E
just had to tell you ... as I was opening a can of sliced beets yesterday I thought ooohhh I need to keep the lid and smoosh the tin and start a new rusty collection...thank YOU very much LOL
oxo