Indigo Dyeing - Still Singin' the Blues!

I am pleased with the results of this kanoko shibori on this raw silk jacket with patch pockets on the front.

You can see the nice texture of this raw silk weave. This is my new favorite silk fabric - ordered from Exotic Silks (wholesale). I love it - some of the threads are quite shiny, and it is very easy to sew (for silk). I also really love the variegation I got with the indigo on this jacket - even though it was dipped twice.

Indigo Love

The texture created by irregularities and manipulation with the indigo are very exciting to me.

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It has certainly exceeded my expectations. This is the cotton bog jacket I showed you earlier - now it has been dyed and washed out . . . . and ironed. Love it.

(Please forgive the inconsistencies in color in my images. I am just not up to messing around with the color on all these shots. Not sure why I am getting such variation - same camera, lights, etc.!)

I am really pleased with these three scarves, as well. I am going to have to do more!

I checked the vat this morning - it is still active. Now that I know how it all works - I can continue with confidence.

Arashi Shibori Kimonos

Occasionally, I turn my creative attention to wearables, which I offer for sale. I have an order from Creative Arts Workshop in New Haven, Connecticut due next month - for their holiday showcase.

I have gone to a system of first constructing the kimono from natural silk fabric, following up with the surface design process of choice. I've done a variety of different techniques, but this is the first time I wrapped an entire garment around a pole for arashi shibori.

These particular kimonos are constructed of soft organza with charmeuse bands. I was concerned that the dye might not penetrate all the layers, but it was actually quite successful, and I do think I will do more with this technique.

Fabric Giveaway Jacket Preview

My friend, Brooke Atherton is hosting a fabric giveaway. A clothing manufacturer has gifted her with a ton of color sample pieces of 100% cotton knit, the type used for T shirts.
She, in turn, is distributing it to artists and is calling for creative projects to be submitted to her for publication. You can learn more by checking out the Fabric Giveaway blog. She still has fabric and is looking for interested artists.

I've been working on a jacket made of habotai silk layered with overdyed cotton knit.
I stitched an organic pattern in white cotton thread, then cut away some areas of the cotton knit to reveal the silk underneath. (shown above)

Next, I overdyed the whole thing. The silk and white cotton thread took the scarlet and lemon yellow dye, and the blue shifted to a darker shade of purple. There are long strings from serging the edges hanging off the bottom and I plan to string beads on these. Then, I will add a few more beads and some kind of closure.

Elizabeth spotted it in my studio yesterday and asked to try it on. She loves it!

Purple Jacquard Silk Noil Kimono

This jacquard silk noil kimono has raw silk bands. It has been hand dyed in shades of deep purple, grape, and indigo then screen printed in metallic shades of copper, bronze and light gold. The delicate screened image is of leafy bamboo. The kimono is generously cut for a dramatic drape. One size fits most. Machine wash and dry on delicate cycle and touch up with a warm iron for easy care. $250

Red Raw Silk Screen Printed

This 100% silk kimono of jacquard silk noil has raw silk bands. It has been dyed a glorious shade of red and screen printed in metallic shades of gold, bronze, copper. The screen printing includes text from Blackfoot, Cherokee, and Sanskrit written languages, the Chinese 5 Elements and the Chinese symbol for Love. It has been generously cut for an elegant drape to mid hip. One size fits most. Easy care - gentle machine wash / dry, and touch up with warm iron as needed. $250

Golden Brown Silk Organza Kimono

This 100% silk kimono of soft organza has satin silk bands. It has been hand dyed in shades of golden yellow, soft apple green, chocolate brown, and charcoal gray using a stitched shibori technique. It has been generously cut for an elegant drape. Easy care - hand wash and iron dry. One size fits most. $250

Green Petroglyphs Raw Silk Kimono

This kimono is jacquard silk noil with raw silk bands. It has been hand dyed in chartreuse green, golden yellow, sage, and tangerine. It has been screen printed with images of petroglyphs from Painted Desert National Park in Arizona (I took these pictures myself!). It has been generously cut for an elegant drape. Easy care - machine wash on delicate cycle, hang dry, and touch up with an iron as needed. One size fits most. $250

FFAC Reverse Auction Garment

This is my donation for the Fiberarts For a Cause Reverse Auction sponsored by Virginia Spiegel.

This 100% silk Kimono is organza with satin silk bands. It has been hand dyed in shades of fire red, charcoal, and bronze using a stitched shibori technique. It has been generously cut for an elegant drape. Easy care - hand wash and iron dry. One size fits most.