FIBER JUNKIES - SEPT. MEETING

The Fiber Junkies met this month at Judy's home.  Her fabulous studio with excellent lighting and plenty of table space for everyone, plus a outside deck for the messier work is such a perfect environment.

 We start with coffee and morning treats faithfully brought by Denny....and launch right into show and tell.  Our newest member Susan dazzled us with this SAQA Global Exhibition book "Dusk to Dawn" where one of her pieces is featured and will be traveling with the exhibit for 3 years.

 Denny was our go-to leader this month.  Here are a few of the examples she brought to provide inspiration for our day of mono-printing.

Not only did she bring these samples, she had handouts, all the prepared dyes, spray and squeeze bottles to apply the dyes, and a big array of items to texture our prints.

 None of us had done this specific approach to mono-printing before, so Denny graciously demonstrated the steps she uses.  She begins squirting mixed and slightly thickened MX dyes onto Plexiglas.

 ....and more.....

 Next, dry fabric (which had been prepared with soda ash) is pressed onto the glass.

 Now she begins adding more color......first with a spray bottle containing mixed dye that has not been thickened.

 She moves it around using a textured paint roller.

 .....Now more dye....

 This is such a clever idea to add texture...it's an electric coil from a kitchen stove that no longer worked.

When she was satisfied with her design......

....It was wrapped and arranged in a coil with sheets of blank newsprint. 

....Placed in a turkey roaster which was located on Judy's deck & filled with a small amount of water.  Once covered, it was left to steam about an hour.

After steaming, the fabric was unwrapped and soaked in water with a few drops of dawn.  BUT....darn it.....do I have a picture of her finished piece?!? Nope....as usual we work in a very frenzied environment......ideas flowing, all talking at once.  Our pieces will return at show and tell next month and I'll be sure to share the results.

 We were all delighted with the left-over paper.  Gen works almost exclusively with paper now, so this and more went home with her.  We look forward to next month when she returns with what she's done with them!

 I have to admit.....I had no success at all.....here's a landscape piece I was attempting.  You can see it again on the last photo...middle piece of fabric.

 My goal was to create some background fabric.....specifically marshes/ponds.....but failed on both accounts.  Of course over-dyeing may save them.

My three uglies....of course cutting them to use for patchwork is another possibility, rather than over-dyeing which is my current thought.  

Next month we will again be doing transfer paints/dyes......in the meantime....

I'm seeing the end of the quest to find homes for my friend's quilting treasures.....  I have three newly made quilts left.  2 are king size...the other is big too 89"x89", all beautifully pieced and custom machine quilted.  Look for them in tomorrow's blog.....I'll post them for the final time with hopes that someone will give them a home.