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Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Inspired by Pansies and Hydrangea

It's been a long time since I had a weekend at home just to do what I please - Saturday was spent catching up on my "house" - I even "tickled" it! (my grandfather's sweet phrase for dusting!!! - wouldn't you rather "tickle" your house than dust it?) I also cleaned out a few files in preparation for the move from a smaller to a much larger room so I'll be organized when the time finally arrives and I came across some files with dyeing instructions I'd printed out ages ago.


On Sunday, after going through the "dyeing tips" file I decided to dye on the spur of the moment and it was the perfect way to get both relaxed, enjoy the moment as well very exciting to see the results.

Last Thanksgiving I had purchased a huge turkey roaster at WalMart just for the purpose of dyeing outdoors and I couldn't be more pleased to tell you what a fabulous experience it was - I just plugged it into an outlet on the deck and let it do it's thing - went back a couple of times to press it all down with a wooden spoon (careful not to stir), unplugged it after one hour, left it to cool and rinsed it - Voila!


I truly crammed all this into one dyepot - 1/2 lb of luscious Finn wool, silk chiffon, silk gauze, wool curls, wool nepps (tied these tiny goodies into a piece of tulle) and several pieces of Felbi (lightweight prefelt). I used and Acid dye and vinegar - no other chemicals - the dye bath was completely exhausted (not dye molecules left in the remaining water). The wool is soft and fluffy -- I was worried that it would get felted in the hot water but I was careful to wait until it was cool and rinse in water the same temperature. Lots of lessons learned and I can't wait to do more!


I've decided to do a giveaway each time I dye but this time, I'll draw a name from those who leave comments at random for the winner!






26 comments:

  1. Wow, Margo, This is beautiful. From your description, it didn't seem too difficult. I always thought dying was much more time comsuming and messy. Great idea to put all your fibers in one pot. I'm impressed!
    Barbara

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  2. gorgeous GORGEOUS colors!

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  3. The colors are just scrumptous!! I need to try my hand at using dye. I have sun dyed and it was great fun.

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  4. Hi Margo

    Hydrangeas are one of my favorite flowers and the colors are always luscious. I remember being in New zealand and they grow wild along the roads and looked just wonderful. I have to get back to my embellisher - I left it to work on a crazy quilt.

    Hugs

    FredaB

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  5. Now I want to go get a turkey roaster! What an ingenious way to dye - and safe, too. I can dispose of the remaining solution on the driveway rather in the septic system! And such gorgeous colors -- yes, hydrangeas are in order. Can't wait to see what you do with it all.

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  6. Simply the most beautiful colors ever Margo!! You are really getting good at this!!
    Susan
    beadmomsw@gmail.com

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  7. Margo,
    Wonderful colors!!! Makes me want to go out and do some dyeing of my own, but I am at work darn it.
    Robin in NC

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  8. What an incredibly yummy batch of colors!! My hydrangea's are just strating to head up now- cant wait for blossoms!!
    Hugs!
    Elizabeth

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  9. Beautiful! I'm a silent member of Dye Happy on yahoo groups and had to see what you created.. I love it. I want a HUGE slow cooker. For now I will have to be ok with my 4 Crock Pots!
    Nicki
    www.nikobee.etsy.com

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  10. These blues are so dreamy and look divinely soft.

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  11. margo--_These are yummy colors. Where do you get the acid dye and what is it called? Did you space dye them? Can you tell us more about the dye process in the turkey cooker---I would love to try it!

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  12. Margo,
    These colors do look just like the hydrangeas we had outside our home when I was growing up - beautiful! If only I could learn to dye wool without it felting up I would be a happy camper too!

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  13. Those colours just make my heart sing!
    Beautiful!
    :o)

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  14. These are just beautiful! I have only dyed cottons but think wool is in my future:).
    Linda T

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  15. Beautiful! I love the different shades of color!

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  16. Beautiful! Is a turkey roaster the same as a crock pot? I have only roasted a turkey in the oven....

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  17. wauw beautiful colors |I always love to come over and see what you are up to

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  18. Fabulous colorway... love it!

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  19. Wow!!! I am so impressed. The colors are gorgeous. I too have wanted to do some dying, but the chemicals turned me off. I sure love what you did.

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  20. Just came over from Fiber Arts Friday. These are perfect hydrangea colors!

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  21. I wish my hydrangea was that pretty! An electric roaster? How big is it?

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  22. I used an enormous turkey roaster purchased at WalMart last Thanksgiving to use just for this purpose! (I hear they do a great job roasting a turkey as well!)

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  23. As soon as my browser started loading those photos I was already in love with those colors. Not to sound like a mimic of all the other comments here, but that really is the perfect hydrangea hue! Thanks for sharing with Fiber Arts Friday :D

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  24. You do a beautiful job! I want to learn how to dye, but first I am going to learn to weave! I love the color! Wow!!!

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  25. So deliciously gorgeous!

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