To overye or not to overdye... that is the question!!

I've had my fabrics draped over the back of a chair for the weekend to really get a feel for the, and I think that I'm leaning towards overdyeing. It's not that I don't like the white, it's more that there's too much of it (and I think that what you see in the pics is the best bits)!.

I'm still undecided as to what to overdye them with. To keep the red/yellow/magenta one bright and cheery I could use a yellow (brighter than the one I used) and hopefully that should keep the scrunchy patterning visible. Or I could dilute one or more of the colours I did use which would use up the leftover dye.

For the zig-zaggy one, I'm thinking that the purple colour might pick it up a bit. I did use this colour in it, so it shouldn't look outta place, but as there's more orange and magenta the scrunchy look should remain (if all goes according to plan). The beauty of this is that I wouldn't need to mix up any more dye as I still have some leftover. (do you see a pattern here - save time, and dye!!)

As for my list, I got through most of it!. I still need to finish preparations for the machine embroidery class (in the event that it does go ahead - only one person was enrolled last week), and the shirt is still unmade - perhaps I'll get to that next weekend.

Back to work today. It seems that now I'm back, everone else is off sick so I get the office to myself mostly.

Oh and the holiday I eluded to in Sunday's post...

B AND I ARE GOING TO NEW ZEALAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thursday we decided to start planning, Friday we discussed it with work and made reservations, and on Saturday we confirmed and paid for our flights and booked our accomodation!! How fast is that!. We're having 11 days in New Zealands South Island - 3 days in and around Christchurch (this bit is still in planning stages) and a full week in Queenstown. B already has us in training - that explains the bike riding so that I am at least a little bit fit. Oh and the purse strings have tightened in order to save save save! 2 months to go and counting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so excited (can you tell!!)

My dyeing day - check out the colours!!!!

I had last week off sick, so I took the opportunity on Thursday to do some dyeing. I needed to dye some threads so threw in some fabric too. I'm quite pleased with the results (close ups further down), however there are a few changes to make.

Here is my new folding table set up and covered with dyes...

The threads, soaking in dye...

With the threads I was trying for a variegated look. I got that with the blues and there is some variegation with the others, however not what I was looking for. I think to acheive this I would change my technique next time. This time I applied the dye, then after about an hour, I added the soda ash solution. I think that when I added the soda ash, it mixed my colours, producing a flatter colour. I think that if I mixe the dye an soda ash initially, or pre-soak them in soda ash, that would prevent the mixing of the dyes - hind sight is fabulous isn't it!!

While I was at it I tried a few other experiments. The first was 2 lengths of fabric, bunched widthways (wetted with soda ash solution), and colours added in bands, so that they bleed into each other. This worked quite well. The only issue seems to be the dilution of the turquoise and jade. I mixed them the same as the other colours, but they appear considerably lighter. I think that in future I need to strengthen this mix.

The second experiment was a lenght of fabric (again wetted with soda ash solution), zig-zagged together. I then applied the dye in a random fashion.

The third was a spiral of fabric, with radiating lines of red, yellow and magenta.

The second and third experiments worked well, however there were a lot of white patches. I did turn the fabric over whilst dyeing, however I was careful not to mix the colours too much. I'm in two minds about the white patches - part of me likes it, and part of me thinks I could overdye it with either a contrasting colour or a similar colour. What do you think?

Procrastination is like a disease: it eats away at me and my time... the result... nothing done, unhappiness because I've acheived nothing, and chaos because even the essentials aren't done. When the blogging drops off, it's almost certainly the fault of procrastination. Embarassed at my failure to achieve anything, I just don't blog.

So lets get back to our normal programming. Lots of blogging and pics to prove that work is happening.

Todays list (for my benefit only):

• finalise preparations for Friday machine embroidery workshop;
• (done) Do some laundry so that I have clothes to wear next week;
• (done) Mending/repairs for friends at work;
• Sew 2 (oops - only 1) shirts that I cut out last week;
• (done) Go for a bike ride with B when he gets home (in training for snowboarding);
• (done) Continue planning New Zealand Holiday (more about that later)
• (done) Blog my dyeing efforts from last week

That would get the essentials out of the way and make a good start for the week.

At last some work to show...

I'm not sure what I think of this yet. I was playing around with bonding and cutting and joining. There was no plan here - as you can see.
I'm actually thinking that I might cut it up for postcards, as I do owe a few.

In other news I checked in at the quilt shop to see if anybody has booked into my classes. The dyeing one is a goer, but still has 2 places left. The machine embroidery one only has one person and may not go ahead. But there's still time yet.
 

Happy Mothers Day Mum!!!!

Dear Mum,

I know this is a very public way to wish you Happy Mothers day, but I want everyone to know what a fabulous mum you are!


Thank you for encouraging me and pushing me just that little bit further than sometimes I was comfortable with - you've given me the ability to face up to life's challenges...

Thanks for believing in me - even when I had my doubts...

Thanks for listening when I just wanted to talk. Those times when answers or advice were less important than a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on (even from thousands of kilometres away and at ungodly hours of the day and night)....

Thanks for the hugs...

Thanks for the laughs...

Thanks for squeezing out the grumps and knowing just when to do it...

Thanks for caring soooooooo much...

Thanks for just being you!!!!

I LOVE YOU MUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I hope this will tide you over till the postman delivers my parcel - seeing that breakfast in bed is not an option

Love Soph

Oops... I dropped off the face of my blog....

No I haven't been sick, just haven't felt much like posting. Mostly because I've had nothing to post about. Anyway I'm back.

B and I went to see 2 Jimoen shows as part of the Melbourne Comedy Festival. Both shows were great, but the cooking show was the best. It was a smaller theatre and we had front row centre - fantastic seats!!

I had a playday with the girls last weekend. We did bookbinding. When I can lay my hands on the camera I will take a picture to show you what I made.

This weekend I've been re-vamping my wardrobe. No I havent' been shopping, I've been sewing. So far I've made 2 T-shirts and am about to cut out a couple more. So easy to make - and would be even easier if I had an overlocker. Again pictures when I can find the camera.

As for the natural dyeing - I still haven't had started that yet. I've gathered a few peices of wool fabric and some balls of pure wool to try, just have to plan my weekend out. I had every intention on doing some today, but the weather has turned wet, and I was planning to work outside. I promise I will keep you posted when I do give it a go.

That's all for now. I'm off to do the dishes and get started on lunch/dinner and hopefully some dinners for the next week.