And I don't just mean the weather although it is just warming up again after a cold spell. But I have had a varied week of sewing which is just how I like it.
I removed my sample from it's rust and tea bath after 24 hours and I am glad I did as my finished sample has turned out darker than I expected. It took a couple of days to dry out and then I had to rinse it and leave it to dry again. So here it is - the undyed sample first.
As I said, it is much darker than I expected and I would have preferred something a little more subtle, but it is a sample and I really like the effect. So more of this to come I think. Next time I will try just tea and maybe another sample with just rust and water to see what happens. Lots to try and I also want to try Susan's salt dyeing. This is something I have done on paper but never thought to try on fabric.
On Tuesday my quilt group had an all day session and I took the opportunity to layer up this RSC top from a few years back.
I then joined with some of the other ladies in making some decorations for our Christmas stall later in the year.
We also had a very interesting talk from a couple of ladies who work for the local council's Care Leaver's department. We have made quilts and blankets for Care Leavers in the past and it was good to hear how they are put to use. We were also given a list of items that they would be grateful for to give the care leavers - as well as a blanket or quilt, cushions are welcomed as well as gloves, hats and scarves. So plenty for us to contribute.
This months RSC is complete.
I got the sewing machine out for an afternoon and completed this Christmas cushion cover which has now been put away - hopefully, come Christmas, I will remember where!
Some of the metallic threads are a real trial, aren't they!
ReplyDeleteA very busy week. Lovely to see all that has been happening. Wow, that dye process did come out very dark. Stitching with metallic threads is never a breeze but some are very much worse than others. Good on you for persevering and for leaving it on your sampler, sometimes we need that reminder.
ReplyDeleteWell so much eye candy in todays post Lin. I was waiting to see the effects of the rusty dying - yes it is much darker than I thought too ... but I love it, kind of primitive looking. If you try the teadying again, I would think about sprinkling grainules of coffee over it too as I find this bleeds into the fabric & gives a nice effect. I was also surprised that it was black, I think I expected rusty colour. All your other projects are wonderful - I did laugh at the christmas cushion as I forget where I've put things too (!!!) May I ask what are Care Leavers? I've not heard that term before. xx
ReplyDeleteSo many directions in craft that you put your hand to, Lin - absolutely wonderful!
ReplyDeleteSweet Christmas decorations, I took some out to start this week too! Love your flower, what a difference that bit of water makes. I refuse to play with metallic thread - it never behaves for me and yet others manage fine
ReplyDeleteHugz
Your tea dying was much darker than I thought it would be too Lin, but a good experiment. Was it the metal that caused the black colour do you think? So many lovely things in your post today, great Christmas decorations and cushion - Christmas is coming way too soon for me!
ReplyDeleteLove your flower painting, you are very busy the other projects looks beautiful. xx
ReplyDeleteLove the variety in your work - yes the rust & tea did end up dark...but I expect there needs to be a lot of experimenting before you can fine tune such things.
ReplyDeleteYour coloured/painted flower is lovely.
You are so incredibly talented! The lace piece finished beautifully, I think. Congratulations on the RSC quilt top finish.
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