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Monthly Archives: April 2011 Part of my preparation for this dyeing class I’m taking at the Crow Barn is to collect fabric to be dyed. I hit the pages of my Testfabrics and Dharma Catalogues. I have ALL sorts of interesting fabrics and a few common ones that I may or may not incorporate into my work someday. The...  Okay, it’s not exactly midnight, but we are working later than usual in the studio this evening. I have Ken’s quilt to keep me company, my daughter has prefixes and suffixes. It’s easy to guess which one of us is having more fun:) I’m nearly done piecing the top to Ken’s quilt. I’ve yet to... by robin 6 comments 
April 29, 2011 - 4:33 pm
I am so touched that so many people are witnessing, commenting on, and offering ideas regarding my dad’s quilt. Thank you Robin, for your thoughtful consideration in creating this piece, and also for taking us all through the process. I had no idea! 
April 28, 2011 - 6:23 am
Robin I am really loving Kens quilt. What a wonderful treasure for his family to have and so sweet of you to make it for them. I am so envious of your trip to the barn and the class with Carol. I hope to be able to work it out to go again some time next year….. it’s been a while. Have a great time and I hope you will share some with us. Diane 
April 27, 2011 - 7:54 am
Ken’s quilt is looking great. I’m imagining some kind of mitered corners to echo the diagonals already in the quilt… Enjoy the dyeing class! I’m not a big class-taker these days, but that one did intrigue me. I wish I was more flexible and able to come too. 
April 27, 2011 - 6:44 am
You’ll love the class with Carol. I spent a week with her last autumn and it was the best class I ever took! Have fun! 
April 27, 2011 - 2:50 am
Corners are tough. I’m sure you’ll find the perfect solution. It will come to you. Can’t wait to hear about the dying class. 
April 27, 2011 - 1:28 am
Well, at least you don’t have to dye it before you go! Enjoy your time there.  I’m still on my berry kick! Every day I’ve got to have some! Fortunately for us there is a local farm that grows strawberries, but the blackberries have traveled farther in their young lives that I’ve traveled all year! I’ve never even been to Mexico! Soon, very soon, they will be replace by mulberries from... by robin 4 comments
April 26, 2011 - 1:56 pm
Neat experiments. I applaud your desire to try it all! 
April 25, 2011 - 2:25 pm
Yes, yes, yes!! Thank you so much Carol for your insight! Now you can see why I’m coming to see you next week:) I’ll be talking more about your class… much more… so thanks again for offering some clarity here. -Robin 
April 25, 2011 - 2:17 pm
Such beautiful eggs! I love the visual textures…. I want to mention that Sabracron dyes have larger molecules, not larger granules of powder. They are still a fine powder and you must still use a dust mask when you mix them into water. Because of the larger molecules, they are not quite as reactive as Procion MX dyes, and need higher temperatures to react. The dyer you refer to developed an allergy to MX dyes because she was careless and did not use a mask in the first years of her dyeing. She did develop an allergy, and needed to switch to a different dye for which she had not developed sensitivity. You can bet that she always wears her dust mask when mixing dye powder now! Also, please do not equate a respiratory allergy to toxicity. Millions of people have respiratory allergies to a huge variety of natural plants and pollens. Some of these plants are toxic; some are not. Fiber reactive dyes have very low toxicity, however some people do develop allergies with repeated exposure to the dye powders. I also want to mention that a dust mask should be worn when mixing natural dye extracts (which are powders) into concentrate. Human lungs need protection from any fine powder. Education about the dyes–and paints too–is the key! Hmmm, guess I need to step off my soap box and go dye an egg! 
April 25, 2011 - 11:26 am
They are beautiful. By the way, there is a Bob’s Red Mill Store just up the road from us. A great place to go for breakfast!  Loving the fact that my children aren’t too old to dye Easter eggs. This time with natural dyes, plants from the garden, and treasures from the pantry. Planning to write more about it tomorrow after the big reveal. Finding the time for a stroll outside… Enjoying the silence and stillness that sunset brings… … marveling... by robin 1 comment 
April 25, 2011 - 6:59 am
Love your photos, I love using red cabbage, carrots, broccoli, and teas for coloring eggs. Simple but brings so much joy.  The work continues on Ken’s quilt. I’ve decided to insert strips of fabric in between those organic triangle that I’ve been cutting. They break up the pattern a little better and add just a little more interest to the design. This is part of the reworking that I’ve been focusing on lately. Doing it this... by robin 2 comments 
April 25, 2011 - 3:27 am
Wonderful design. 
April 21, 2011 - 3:05 am
That strip really delineates the shapes and will add direction for the eye. Great job and I’m enjoying the journey. And that lettuce? Yum! |
by robin
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