Studio progress

My husband hard at work this morning, laying the carpet in my studio.  He's just gone to B&Q to get some more supplies for putting in the benches we bought at IKEA on Wednesday.  The electrician is coming on Monday, so I'll have power in there by Tuesday.  After that the shelving units can go in, and all my supplies can be organised in their new home.  I can't wait for it to be finished so that I can get in and start playing.

Peg loom and Brinkley loom weaving workshop with Eve Studd of Cornhill Crafts.

The photos of my woven wall hangings are finally available to share with you - Google+ can be a pain!!!!  

The top photo is natural wool fleece, which has been washed and dyed with natural dyes by Eve, woven on a jute warp thread, using a peg loom.

The longer piece was woven on the Brinkley loom.  This was the one I enjoyed most. I was amazed at the range of materials that could be used in the weft.  The warp is a hand dyed wool yarn, dyed by Eve with natural dyes. I started off with a blue wool yarn in the weft to create a stable foundation.  I then began to add in short lengths of wool fleece.  This gives a wonderful fluffy edge.  Eve doesn't card the fleece, thereby allowing the natural curls and characteristics of the particular sheep's breed to show in the work.  I decided to use yellow and purple, which are complimentary colours, and added a few pops of other bright colours that caught my eye.

Eve's workshops are relaxed, experimental, and great fun.  She allows the participants to play with the things that they feel most attracted to.  I'd happily do any of her workshops again, and I could easily spend a whole day weaving on the Brinkley loom - I now have one on my wish list!

Some hand dyed cotton

These are just a few of the pieces I tie dyed, using the Tulip Super Big Tie Dye Kit.  I got my kit from Amazon.  It has 12 colours - just add water to the little plastic bottles and squeeze the colour on where you want it.  By folding, tying knots, and binding the fabric with elastic bands, you can create a huge range of patterns.  It's great fun, and very easy.  If you've never dyed anything before these kits are a great way to start as they are easy to use, and come with instructions.

Wrapped and tied

Some of the ways I prepared my fabric, and added the different dye colours, to create a variety of patterns.

Yet more dyeing!

If you've been following this blog for a while you'll have noticed that I love dyeing things.  I was delighted to get my 12 colour Tulip one step dye kit yesterday because it is so easy to use.  I've spent a happy afternoon mixing colours and generally playing with the kit. It will be a few days before I wash out the dye, so until then here's a photo of my fingernails - the gloves split 

Allowing room for rest

I strongly suspected that my busy week would catch up with me, and bite me on the bum.  I was right.  Today I'm allowing myself to just stop and rest.  It's really tempting to dive in to playing with my new Tulip Super Big, One-Step Tie-Dye kit, which arrived in the post yesterday, but I'm restraining the impulse because I am so very tired.  I loved the weekend workshops with Paddy Hartley, and the natural dyeing on Monday with Eve, however they have taken too many spoons.  If you aren't sure what I mean by spoons please google "spoon theory".  I'll be back with more to tell you when my energy levels permit.

Natural Dyes Workshop with Eve Studd

I had a lovely day on Monday up in the borders, at Cornhill Crafts, with Eve Studd.  Eve runs lots of great workshops.  This one was using natural dyes on wool fleece.  As you can see some of the colours are stunning.  There was just one other person on the workshop, and it was held in Eve's home.  We had a great time.  If you are interested in finding out more about Eve's workshops go to: wwww.cornhillcrafts.co.uk