Sunday, August 27, 2017

Dyed (not died)


I had these photos on my camera, so thought I should share them today, since I'm still not ready to stay for any length of time on my computer.  Now is the time I wish I had wi-fi and a laptop.  I could sit in bed and visit everyone.  Unfortunately, that isn't the case.

Last autumn, I sun dyed some white bed sheet fabric using fluid acrylics.  If you missed the post where I dyed the keys using the same process, it is here. Be aware, the link no longer opens in a new window.

A couple of years ago, I bought 10 yards of some ugly leaf pattern fabric for $4.00 (USD) at my local thrift store.  I'm not sure what I was thinking, because it is not something I can easily work with.  That's when I decided to try various dying techniques.

I started with sun dyeing, because it was a beautiful sunny and not too windy day.  For the left side, I combined yellow, orange, and gold fluid acrylics.

I pressed leaves I had dried the previous year into the wet fabric.

Since the pattern in the fabric was so large, I also chose a couple of large leaves, too.

Next, I combined turquoise and blue fluid acrylics and

pressed more leaves into the very wet fabric.

I found a single rock in case the wind picked up.  That's when I realized I had a shadow of my arm in the picture.

I backed up a bit so my body wasn't in the picture.  The sun was practically overhead at that time.

Fast forward to the next day and here are the results.

I admit, the results, although they were acceptable,


were not what I was hoping for.

Here is the warm fabric

laid out on my dining room table.

Now I just need to iron the fabric and it will be ready to use if and when the spirit moves me.

I see I'm going to need to rethink this fabric and the type of dyeing I will need in order to turn this fabric into something I will actually enjoy using.

Thanks for visiting today.  I hope to catch up with everyone later today (Sunday).  Thanks for being so patient and waiting for me to catch up on your lives and your art.


17 thoughtful remarks:

Valerie-Jael said...

Beautiful results! Get well soon, hugs, Valerie

froebelsternchen said...

I think the results are pretty acceptable - specially the warm colored fabric - and also parts of the blue fabric are gorgeous. We never know wherefore we can use parts of a fabric later on. A part of something that looks ugly to you can look fantastic when mixed with something else.So everything that we produce is useful and BEAUTIFUL in it's own way! Keep good care of you and stay in bed ! Get well soon Elizabeth!
Happy Sunday !
oxo Susi

sheila 77 said...

Hello Elizabeth.
Using Golden fluid acrylics on fabric! - what a great idea, I've lots of both. I laughed when you said you had bought 10 yards of the leaf fabric, I've done that too with a large quantity of a dragon stretchy fabric, why? - it's gone to a happy home now.
Like Susi I thought the results were pretty good and cutting up fabric often improves it as you will know.
Please look after yourself, I won't nag you about going to the doctor but I think it might be a good idea if you don't get better very soon.
love, Sheila

kathyinozarks said...

Gorgeous results!!

CJ Kennedy said...

Pretty cool. Might make nice covers for hand-made books. Hope you're feeling better.

Cindy McMath said...

I think they're both lovely Elizabeth - you could think of them as nice backgrounds for something fun - maybe a sewn collage?

Cindy McMath said...

PS - hope you are on the mend.

Divers and Sundry said...

I think the fabric was a good background for those large leaves you added. Your leaves make the piece so much more interesting. I look forward to seeing how you use the material.

Anonymous said...

oh my gosh I hope you are better....are you sure you might not see a doc just to be safe? Thinking of you ❤️

pearshapedcrafting said...

What fabulous results! You will surely use this fabric now? I hope your health is improving and that you are taking the advice seriously! Please, when you think you are better, don't rush into getting 'things' done!!! Big Hugs, Chrisx

Let's Art Journal said...

Your sun printing is lovely! Hope you are feeling better today and the bed rest is helping your recovery 😀. Take care of yourself and wishing you a well, Happy Sunday! J 😊

nanskidrewski said...

Your results are lovely. Tale care. Hugs.

Meggymay said...

You got some great results, we are not always happy with out experiment, but to me yours look great and I'm sure we will be seeing some of these materials feature in some of your future projects.
Hope you had a better day today Elizabeth, please look after yourself.
Yvonne xx

My name is Erika. said...

Cool effects! Especially with the warm colors. I never did any fabric dyeing this whole summer break, unusual for me. That's why it is so fun to see yours. :) Hope you are improving quickly! But please take care of yourself. Hugs-Erika

Birgit said...

This is a great job. I. The first pick...I love the blues and greens. What a great way to use ugly fabric. I hope you are feeling better. I am not feeling well but hope it will clear up. Throat isn't good.

UplayOnline said...

I thought the results were pretty good and cutting up fabric often improves it as you will know.


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Annie Claxton said...

Hi Elizabeth, thanks for sending me the link to this post - this is a really fun technique which I will have to try. I know what you mean about those impulse purchases! have you found a use for this fabric yet?
It's autumn here now, the sun is shining and it's my day off, so I plan to go for a walk today and pick up some leaves for pressing.
Thanks for the inspiration :o) Annie C