Here are my first experiments with household chemicals as a discharge paste. On my first piece I thought it hadn’t worked, so went out and left it on the fabric – on my return it had certainly removed the colour but had also started to eat into the material!
These samples are scrunch dyed using Indigo and then printed with leaves, coated with the ‘discharge paste’. I am very pleased with these initial results and keen to move onto to larger pieces of fabric and preloved clothing – whoo hoo!
PS Arts’, Datchworth, project to reproduce a giant sized replica of Katharina Kubrick’s Maria’s Vase is progressing well. Throughout June 30 local artists will be completing one section of the artwork in their own style and media, £10 raffle tickets will be sold with the winner receiving the completed masterpiece.
Today Hazel and I were producing our sections (top corners) whilst the local Brownies were making and selling sunflowers and we had a steady flow of interested visitors. Suspect they were attracted by Sarah’s delicious Lemon Drizzle Cake as much as by the art.Visitors were also able to see other work by the artists involved in the project
Work in Progress
Here is my piece added to the work in progress – it is a reverse applique made from naturally dyed, layered cottons. I can’t wait to see it in pride of place in the top right corner of the finished picture – all will be revealed next Sunday.
Joanne Shewan Textiles Folksy Shop
Beautiful handmade and naturally dyed pure wool scarves
After months of deliberation (and avoidance) I have finally sorted out my initial foray in online selling.
As a starting point I eventually decided to give Folksy – the place to buy handmade gifts and craft supplies and for British designers and makers to sell their work – a try.
It was very easy and my new shop is now up and running so I hope you will make a quick visit and check it out.
Finally have had time to unwrap my dye parcels – plenty of time to ‘cook’ then – which is good.
Very few leaf prints and those that have worked are very feint so much more work to do.
But despite this some very exciting results – yey!
Fabrics dyed with the last dregs of previously brewed natural ingredients.
More lovely bundles waiting to be revealed – as usual will have to be patient.
Back from sunny Ashridge where I gathered lots of lovely leaves, moss and bark for my dye pot. Can’t wait to get cooking tomorrow!
Dyeing with Bay Leaves, Blackberry, Blackcurrant and Chamomile. If you can’t identify by colour you can always smell them!
Think these are coming on nicely but now need to add yellow and green tones – which are proving a little evasive – will need some more investigation!
Hopefully with one more dye application they will be ready for the stitched layers.
I am working on pieces for my Spring/Summer collection and am currently focussing on the colour palette.
These pieces were dyed with St John’s Wort (which I picked and dried myself) and with purchased walnut leaves. Most of the colour variations have been achieved by length and temperature of dyeing on Bute and Soft Donegal wool.
Joanne Shewan Textiles 
