wall hangings

i've been continuing to make my wool, metal and wood wall hangings and have added a new shape into them- the triangle. I also sell these at Ma/Da in Maplewood. I don't have them yet for sale in my shop but, let me know if you are interested in one. The peach and blue are hand -dyed wools that I dyed myself.

madder root dress

A dress I made recently to test a pattern in muslin dyed with madder root. I love the shade this turned out. I took this photo in the evening so not the best light but, I like it. I put some vintage ric-rac trim on the edge of the shoulders.

random autumn images

Random images

dyeing wool

knitting (always)

washi tape houses

visiting the farm

apples

discovering flint corn

gourds

on a hike in the woods with bark hair pretending to read notes like in the Magic Garden's chuckle patch

hand sewing with natural dyed fabrics

Over the winter, I got a package in the mail with natural dyed fabrics: silk & linen as well as embroidery thread, a brooch pin and a few beads. It was part of a project called 'little moments creative' put together by Ellie from petal plum. Yesterday seemed like the perfect day for it and it was. A quiet, meditative project with no thinking involved and so, I just cut and hand sewed making simple shapes and lines. It was so relaxing on what was such a hot day. I've still got more pieces left to play with and I'm debating on choices. I could make a mobile or a wall hanging pinned inside a frame and maybe a few little brooches.

star quilt in natural dyed muslin

This week I told myself I would finish a quilt. I've a few sitting around.

I had done the quilting by machine several weeks ago but, regretted it and needed to do some unpicking along the border which is why it was sitting around. I know I am not alone with the regret of not hand quilting. It would have been effective since I found it difficult to keep the lines straight with this one. I think in this case even hand piecing the squares would have been a good idea since the stars did not align for me perfectly. So, it's sort of an oops and sort of not. I still think it's pretty even if it's imperfect. It's not a big quilt and it's just the right size for Scarlet to snuggle with. She likes it so and it was for her.

star quilt

Thought I'd pop in to show you something that's been keeping my hands busy in the sewing room.This quilt sewn with unbleached muslin and natural dyed fabric. The size is 40"x 52"
It needs some kinks worked out and a good iron. I am looking forward to quilting this one up.

quilt projects with natural dyes #1

I'm working on a few quilts with natural dyed muslin. Here is one that I photographed recently on my lap which I am almost finished hand quilting.

bengala dye

I mentioned I bought some bengala dye ( a soil, mineral dye from iron oxide) in my last post and I experimented with it for a few days. I chose the Kosyoku shade which is in the gray family and I achieved a silver shade of gray using whites. I am very happy with the results. I tried out a few different materials and used only water and the dye in one dye pot. The materials I used: plain ivory tissue tees and one with sequins, a small ball of alpaca and a bright white cashmere sweater that had a small coffee stain on it that I wasn't able to remove. All turned out beautifully and the coffee stain now is not noticeable and the tees look much nicer and will get more use.

Bengala dye color is achieved by kneading it into the fabric for several minutes- I used gloves and once bare hands (there was no staining).After I dyed them I left them out in the sun to dry. That was all.

Here is the Bengala Dye chart from Loop of the Loom. The colors are all beautiful.

the new york state sheep and wool festival

We made our yearly trip to the New York state sheep and wool festival in Rhinebeck, NY this past Sunday. I think you all know how much I love wool and yarn!

The festival is a knitter's paradise and each year I have a new experience. There are so many vendors and opportunities to learn about various animals and wool crafts such as rug hooking, weaving, felting, natural dyeing and spinning. Also lots of knitting accessories such as exquisite clay buttons, glass shawl closures and wood needles to name a few.

The fall foliage, animals, demonstrations and fair food make it a delight for everyone in the family.


Loop of the Loom was one of my favorites this year and here is the story from the founder. I picked up a few coasters and a pot of Bengala dye.

The Story of Loop of the Loom

Once, I met someone through weaving.
Then, I met another through her.
Both said, "My! It's much fun."
All could share the happiness and excitement I felt when I first wove.
The way you weave is the way you are.
Find yourself, surprise yourself,
and you'll see how beautiful you are.
Everyone is an artist who can move someone else.
Let's sit down and talk it over - the loom and colorful yarns.
Come and join our loop - our circle of SAORI weavers!

Yukako
Founder of Loop of the Loom

Cephalopod Yarns still holds a special place in my heart and I may have dropped a pretty penny here.To the woman standing next to me I said "That's it, I am not going to buy anymore yarn after this."With a knowing look and laugh she replied and well it takes another addicted person to recognize the symptoms in another.:)

I also always enjoy a visit to the Fiber Craft Studio booth.

"Today, more than ever, the crafts have the mission to reconnect the human being to the Earth and her substances, bring healing to the senses and soul,
and foster the creative capacities of the human being" - Renate Hiller

So much I could say here but I am dyeing to get my hands busy off the computer keys. There are more photos on my instagram. Ba Ba Sheep and Wool. See ewe next year.