Into More Blue

I'm continuing to explore whatever idea pops into my head to use with indigo. Here I combined itajime with arashi shibori. This part turned out well, but the patterning didn't go through the entire fabric.

And why not do a few stars, varying the values of the indigo.

As soon as I saw this linen in my stash of fabrics, I knew it was destined for a dip or two, being the year of the dragon.

And this is for our class assignment this week - a larger shibori piece. Getting the patterning to go all the way through is a challenge and I thought this would turn out darker than it did. I think it looks like eggs cracking open and flowers - both fit right into the start of spring.

I am going to do another post because I made some good discoveries today.

Dreaming in Blue

Today I chose some more fabrics I was drawn to overdye with indigo. This Japanese cotton has such a great feel and texture. It was formerly a pale plaid. And I'm pleased with this moon blossom:

I am dreaming of indigo nightly - and last night several were ideas of what to try next. Here I sewed together a variety of fabrics - nine different silks, cottons, and linens and then dipped it. The photo of it blue is when it's still wet - and I think I prefer it before - but I have plans to add one of the moons to it and work it further. This came together really quickly and I had a sense of my native style - some sort of inner indication that I'm on the right track.

And another Japanese plaid overdyed with indigo:

It was a beautiful day so I planted this rhubarb from a friend while I was out weeding. Rhubarb leaves can be used to make a mordant in natural dyeing, but they are also poisonous. I will definitely put the stalks to use, but will decide whether to use the leaves later. I find that I am using the natural indigo vat almost entirely - with only a few dips into the chemical one because I don't like it's smell or toxicity.

I also wove strips of indigo dyed fabric and dyed five other pieces exploring other things. I wonder what I'll dream up tonight?

Blue Hodge Podge

This is a close up of my favourite indigo dip of the day: I also dipped rust, green and gold burlap and here is one of the results:

Here I tried to make a flower:

And this yellow indigo dipped cotton ends up reminding me of a sunrise or sunset behind a forest.

Just continuing to experiment and get a better feel for what's possible with indigo.

True Colours

I couched a little more colour on this indigo woven silk today and have begun quilting it. And I came across a few ripples of blue on my walk

and then from out of the vat:

And I did a bit of overdyeing with indigo - these colours are ones I'm really drawn to.

More than blue.