Feather Muse
Dyes Extracted Without Cooking
by soaking vegetables and herbs in water many days before
straining out clear liquids
by soaking vegetables and herbs in water many days before
straining out clear liquids
Various mixtures of red cabbage, beet, red chard, cumin
and lots of vinegar
and lots of vinegar
'curing' on a sunny windowsill
Four Cotton swatches soaked for several days
drying above the stove
1.
2.
3.
4.
The Original Fabric
Onward to Black Walnuts
Saved after a week of rain In Massachusetts
left in paper to dry, they have grown a dusty white mildew
Here is the Same cloth as above
soaking in the 1st batch which was heated
W--A--I--T--I--N--G
"Grumble, Grumble"
Oh, go sew that grumble
to a cloth of sighs that tumble
'round with a feather heart.
When a seam falls apart,
or loose stitches unravel,
let the sharp needle travel.
Cover the gaps in thatches,
of colorful patterned patches.
Add snatches of phrases,
and well deserved praises.
Choose words of wisdom
to encourage optimism.
For darkness, add light.
Make day from night,
balance the dull with the bright.
When it's done--be quick,
give it away to finish the trick.
Mending brings marvelous relief.
to a cloth of sighs that tumble
'round with a feather heart.
When a seam falls apart,
or loose stitches unravel,
let the sharp needle travel.
Cover the gaps in thatches,
of colorful patterned patches.
Add snatches of phrases,
and well deserved praises.
Choose words of wisdom
to encourage optimism.
For darkness, add light.
Make day from night,
balance the dull with the bright.
When it's done--be quick,
give it away to finish the trick.
Mending brings marvelous relief.
Back to Stitching My Patch Tonight
Post Script
New Give Away ends on the 3Oth
post a comment where it was first announced
if you want to be part of the drawing
7 comments:
wow. you're really into this dyeing thing. looks like you got some good results. my experience has been that silk and linen usually take the dye better than cotton.
your feather is looking great. and loved your poem.
good advice Deanna--and thanks for the encouragement as always.
To my friend who sends email but won't post on the blog I send love and thanks for this: "The dyes are to die for! Oh, so creative and exquisite is my friend! Love, n"
I love seeing all of the different colors you got! Yay- so pretty.
And your feather is touchingly beautiful. I only wish blogger would go back to their old photo enlargement format. I can't wait to see it when you're finished :)
Somehow the on-and-off rainy day escaped into deep space, and now, with nightfall, despite a really good work light, my energy has shifted toward lazy drifting. I will finish this one soon I hope, and appreciate your encouragements. There are two more in the design stage to get on to, but not until the little Buddha is safely en-route to Join in the many hundreds of amazingly beautiful "magic feathers" Jude has already gathered.
ah, new york city just got a little saner. brush a bit of soymilk or yoghurt on the cotton and let it dry over night before dyeing. fuller color. sometimes.
This day did get saner, and today, Saturday, got softer tra la! When the Oak is ready I will do the yogurt/soy milk treatment and see what develops. I need a sewing machine and intend to press my desire upon a Gramercy Park friend I know is no longer using hers. If that fails, I will keep my eyes peeled for a thrift store bargain, Meanwhile it's "Aux-Naturale" with needle and thread, pen and brush, air drying and creative domestic ecstacies.
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