This weekend was Stage I for a new project. I enjoy nuno felting and have, until now, have had help with the initial dyeing of the pieces of silk. I would start with pre-dyed blank pieces of silk and go on from there. You can find a 4-part tutorial on how to get started here. It will at least give you an idea of how these scarves come about. The final pieces look something like this:
I’ve wanted to claim the initial dyeing part of the process for myself for some time and have been reading all about dyeing silk and wool fibers. I highly recommend this book as a place to start.
This desire led to the purchase of 22 yards of white silk, both gauze and habotai. White silk that needed to be washed and dried before it was dyed. 
Let me tell you, 22 yards is really long! Just the washing and drying was quite a task.
Next weekend, I will dye all of this silk and let you know how it turns out... the preparation of 44 yards was quite enough for now. Oh, and if I ever tell you that I plan to start raising silkworms in the backyard to take the process all the way back, please do an intervention.
You are amazing, Alicia. Where in the world did you have the space to wash that silk....and next dye it? What do you use for a dye?
ReplyDeleteI think I will get smart and cut the silk down before dyeing it. I wanted it to shrink before I braved actually cutting it. It is currently strung between all of the trees in the back right now, catching wind. I feel as if I am aboard a tall ship. Oh, and adoption (non)updates to come, soon. : )
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