happy conversations

While dyeing with japanese indigo today, I was wondering, what is is about dyeing that makes me so thrilled, happy and satisfied. It never ceases to wonder, all the different aspects about dyeing. The hidden secrets within the leaves, how to coax the colours in the gentlest way and the absolute pleasure of colours on wool and textiles. Maybe it's the conversation with Mother Nature that gives me this enriched sensation of beauty ... a conversation that can also be experienced when walking in the woods or by the sea, but still not quite the same though ...

I'll spare you for sharing every single thing I dye, but this top has an interesting twist, I think. It's made of silk chiffon with pieces of thin cotton sewn onto it. I dyed it with lots of onion skins (no mordant) whereupon I eco dyed the cotton parts with rose leaves. Makes you think there might be possibilities in more silk/cotton/leaves combos?

turning up the dyeing pot

It's been quiet in here, seems summer just isn't suited for blogging. The other day the air smelled different, an almost inaudible creak from the wheel of seasons indicating the wheel was turning a notch. A sudden need for steaming pots arose, and the world seemed instantly filled with leaves begging to be gathered ...

 Dyed (IKEA) curtains for the bedroom ...

Dyed a nuno felted top with various leaves (including some eucalypt from a swap with Monica)

Looks like tiny goldfish and bigger trouts in a strange sea ...

The inside is some kind of cotton gauze - perhaps it's IKEA curtains as well, I can't really remember. It's felted in one piece, seamed only under arms and sides. I like nuno felt edges, raw, but soft and natural looking.