Challenge fabric ready

After an afternoon dyeing fabric, I now have the fabric ready to continue with my South Downs Challenge 'boot'.

I always use Helen Deighan's Dyeing in Plastic Bags method, mixing my own colours from primary coloured Procion dyes.  I use two different shades of each colour - turquiose/cobalt blue; golden yellow/lemon yellow; and magenta/scarlet - and although my mixing etc is not a precise as Helen's, I am usually pleased with the results.   If I want a particular colour I will use that colour dye.

My fabric is usually a bit mottled but I'm happy with that look as it really looks hand dyed.

Straight out of the dye solution

Washed and dried ready for use

I also dyed some cotton perle so I would have matching thread for any handstitching I may add.

Threads ready to dry and be untangled!

Now to plan the next stage.

South Downs Challenge

Just in case you think I'm taking part in anything energetic, don't!

The 2013 challenge from Context was entitled "South Downs National Park" with the challenge to create a quilt with measurements between 2 and 5 metres or a 3D item inspired by this fairly local Park  I know it's 2014 but it doesn't need to be finished until the AGM in March so there's still plenty of time!

My idea straight away was to create a 3D boot using a combination of felt and quilted fabric so with time ticking away, this morning I made the felt that will hopefully be the basis of the toe of the boot.  I've never been terrible keen on the actual making of handmade felt as it seems like too much hard work but decided it would be the best way of constructing it so gave it a go.   It is a lot of hard work and I have to confess that I didn't roll for as long as I should and I didn't turn as often as I should but it's turned out okay in the end.

The first photo shows the fibres layered ready for wetting.  I had already put the net over and had started to spray with the water when I took the photo.

I'm very please with the result and can't wait to get started on the next stage.



You may have noticed the lack of red, white and blue blobs on the finished piece compared with the first one.   These were put on to represent flowers which I plan to have around the edge of the toe but they just would not stay attached to the felt so I discarded them.   I had been worried about the scale of them as I find to difficult to allow for the amount of shrinkage.   The plan now is to needle felt the flowers on and possible add some machine stitching too.

My plan for this afternoon is to dye the fabric ready for the quilted part so more news of that later.

Targets on Target!

Had a good few days taking photos of all the little creations I want to sell on Folksy and have this afternoon uploaded 6 items!   I will add more over the next few days.

I've also sent my application to a local gallery and will just have to sit back and see what happens.

Feeling really organised and positive about what I have achieved so must carry on and not be disappointed if things take time.

A few photos of my creations.

 

 

Really feel the urge now to get back to the creating so that's my plan for tomorrow.