Barefoot Shepherdess

The Mischief Pouch

Or rather, the 'keep-out-of-mischief' pouch.  It holds all the carry-along activities to keep Alex occupied when necessary.

Denim exterior, cotton print fabric(?) interior, button flap closure.  My own design.

I stuck with a bear theme throughout-- exterior embroidery, interior fabric and even the button.

So what's inside?

A notepad, stickers, crayons, scissors and stick glue.  All the portable *quiet* activities a boy could want.

I had been using a clear, zip-lock bag for all this up to now, but this is so much better.  Alex seems to think so too.

Dyeing with Safflower

I wrote a post on safflower dyeing before but only had a few photos to share.  I promised more pictures the next time around, so here it is-- the process, step-by-step:

(Since the description is the same as before, so too, is the writing in some sections.  More detail has been added overall for clarity.  Also, the method I use is a combination from different sources.)

Safflower offers two different dyes: yellow and pink.  If desired, both colors can be extracted from a single batch of petals, and that's what I usually like to do.  First, I soak the petals in cool water to extract the yellow dye.

It takes several good soakings and a few rinses to get most of the yellow out.  I collect the dye solution in a single pot and set it aside until I'm ready to dye with it.  The petals, after the yellow dye has been extracted, look like this:

Then, I soak the petals again in an alkaline solution to extract the pink.  To be exact, the amount of the alkaline substance to use depends on the pH of your water to bring it to about pH 11.  But I've found that the general rule of about 10% petal weight of potassium carbonate works just fine for me.

After about a three-hour soak, I strain the dye solution.  If it looks like there is more color left in the petals, then I repeat the soak in a slightly weaker alkaline solution (8% petal weight of potassium carbonate) to drain the remaining color.  When the rest of the color is out, I strain the solution.  The petals, after the pink dye has been extracted, look like this:

The difference is quite visible, so it's clear when all the pink dye has been extracted.  Next, I neutralize the solution by adding 10% petal weight of citric acid-- another rule of thumb.  Again, the amount of the acidic substance to use depends on your exact pH.  In any case, when the solution has been properly neutralized, small white bubbles will appear on the surface of the solution, like this:

At the same time, the solution will change in color from a brownish orange to a pretty deep pink.  Now, it's ready to be used for dyeing.

::Two things to keep in mind before dyeing::  While the yellow dye can tolerate heat, the pink cannot.  Since this is the case, the pink cannot be applied to wool, which requires a hot dyeing method.  Also, the yellow dye requires a mordant, while the pink does not.

To dye with the pink, simply place the prepared dye material in the solution and move it around regularly to ensure even dyeing.  I used 100% silk yarn.  The dyeing process is relatively quick-- after about thirty minutes, the yarn was a striking bright pink:

I finish with a vinegar soak, then rinse the yarn until the water runs clear or mostly so.

To dye with the yellow, I simply use the standard hot dyeing method.  Since I used 100% silk yarn (pre-mordanted with alum) during this session, I didn't heat the dye solution all that much.  After about thirty minutes to an hour in the pot, the yarn was a mustard yellow:

I let the yarn soak in the solution until cool.  I finish this with a combination of a vinegar soak and a brief, second mordant soak, then rinse the yarn until the water runs clear or mostly so.

The yarns, once rinsed and dry, are more a softer pink (though still quite bright) and golden yellow.

Up close:

It's really amazing, what brilliant colors are hidden in those tiny petals!

*******

My references:

Wild Color: The Complete Guide to Making and Using Natural Dyes by Jenny Dean (ISBN: 0823057275)

草木染 (Colours from Plant Dyes) by Kazuki Yamazaki  ISBN:4635580245

 草木染めをしてみませんか工房で、キッチンで　ISBN: 4473020800

Wednesday :: Stitching

Embroidery on denim.  My own design.  To be a pouch for Alex.

Things I learned:
- It's hard to embroider on denim.  There's the toughness of the fabric of course, but also something about the twill weave.  Plus, the white weft threads tend to become more visible if I redo a spot a few times.  Not an ideal fabric for a beginner.

- It's also difficult to choose embroidery thread colors on dark fabric.  The light colors tend to 'read' about the same, and the dark colors blend in with the fabric.  Subtlety just seems to get lost.

-When adding an interior bag to serve as lining, it needs to be slightly smaller than the exterior bag to fit without bunching.

All things I should have been able to figure out in advance, but somehow it's easier to discover them in the process.  Oh well, I know now for next time!  Off to figure out the rest of the bag.

Dyeing with Homegrown Indigo

The rainy season officially ended last week, and with that, the summer heat and humidity arrived here in full force.  With daily temperatures in the mid-30s C, my indigo plants were starting to look quite sad, even with the best of care.  So-- I decided it was time to try dyeing with them using the fresh leaves method.

Here's what I did, step-by-step:

(my mom, kindly demonstrating)

First, I harvested the leaves, chopping the plant at about 15-20cm from the base.  According to my reference, it is best to separate the leaves from the stem and use the leaves only as the inclusion of the stem causes the color to be duller.

Next, working in manageable batches, toss the leaves in a blender with water (about 50 grams of leaves/ 1 liter of water) and turn on for about a minute.  Strain and repeat with the remainder.  I used twice the weight of the dye material (yarn) in leaves (which was all I had to gather anyway).

 

Soak the yarn in the dyebath.  I let it soak for a few minutes, lifted it out to oxidize slightly, then re-soaked until the color looked dark enough.  The first photo is from the initial soak, the second from the subsequent soak.  You can see how the yarn has absorbed the color.

Air out well.  This is straight out of the dyebath.  It's a shame this striking teal can't be preserved...

Add a little bit of oxydol (Japanese term for approx. 3% hydrogen peroxide solution) to a bowl of water and soak the yarn for about 10 minutes.  I used about 10 ml oxydol to 2 liters of water.  This aids the oxidizing process and prevents the color from running.  Rinse in water until the water is clear or mostly so.  As you rinse, you'll see the green color leave the yarn and the blue remain.

Let dry out of direct sunlight.  To see if there was any color left after the first yarn, I dropped a second one in the dye.  The result is the pale blue.  I think they are both beautiful in their own right.

*******

For those who are interested, I used the following two Japanese natural dyeing books for reference:
草木染 (Colours from Plant Dyes) by Kazuki Yamazaki  ISBN:4635580245
ウールの植物染色 by Yuko Teramura  ISBN:4579201604

Friday :: Sewing

An organizer case to hold all those medical-related cards.  Because you never know when you'll need them.

The design is simple-- but it's my own.  I'm discovering that it's great fun to sketch out what I've got in mind and turn it into a reality.  This project was exactly that.  And with the needle book, change of clothes bag and now this, my carry-all bag is becoming filled with handmade goodies.  I love peering in and seeing them all there-- it's such a happy, satisfying feeling.

Monday :: Dyeing

 

Silk and silk/wool yarns.  Just arrived.  Waiting for color.

Monday :: Dyeing

A sneak peek at the summer palette for the shop, coming in the weeks ahead.  Mainly blues & greens, silk and silk/wool yarns.  Colors to keep you cool on those hot, steamy days waiting just around the corner.

In a moment of inspiration, I tossed a small piece of linen fabric in the dyepot with a vague idea of using it for an embroidery project.  I had no real expectations, so was delighted when I achieved this lovely smoky blue.  I've been coveting colored linen, but they are so pricey...  Now, I know I can just dye some of my own!

Sunday :: Knitting

Stork's Nest Scarf.  Pattern from Piecework magazine, Jan/Feb 2008 issue.  Knit with my own handspun silk/wool yarn.  A first time, in fact, for knitting with my own handspun.

It's the perfect summertime accessory.  I love the result! 

Friday :: Sewing

A simple drawstring bag to hold an extra pair of pants and underwear for Alex.  Because there is still the occasional mishap.

Embroidered to suit the purpose.  The design is my own.

Sized just to fit the said items.

Worked out perfectly. 

Wednesday :: Stitching

Last week's cross stitch.  Now the cover of a needle book.

Felt pages on the inside.

Pockets on the inside covers.  Entirely hand sewn.

Pattern from a Japanese embroidery book, ISBN:4579111036.

I changed the dimensions and a few details.  I'm very happy with the result!  Now, I'm ready to embroider on the go.