Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Samplings

With the holidays behind us, and temps too cold for gardening, I'm playing with designs, dyes and fibers. At this point I have several projects lined up, but nothing crucial to be finished, so I'm playing with various techniques, primarily on silk but also a few on cotton and rayon, comparing results.

Friends of ours have been asking me to create a wall hanging for their lovely living room for several years now. While flattered, I didn't take them seriously at first, but when C assured me that they were indeed wanting this to happen, I started thinking about designs and colors. We met at their home one day over lunch and I took several pictures for a color reference, and also discussed design elements with them. I'm so thankful that we don't have a definite deadline on this because that would totally stop me in my tracks! Here is where we are thus far:


My friends love Carter Smith's Shibori and while I'm no Carter Smith, I have spent a week with Jan Myers Newbury (and should I also mention that I've slept in a Holiday Inn? LOL), so I am incorporating some Arashi Shibori in their piece. I will also be foiling several designs and screeniing some others. I submitted four samples to them on Sunday evening, and we all agreed that the above color and design is our favorite. Unfortunately, the silk that I want to use has been backordered since some time in December, so things are now slowing down a bit.

Below are some dye samples that I worked on last night.

It's a slow and tedious process of sampling each jar of dry dye in my inventory, but the results will be very useful in the future!

I'm also dreaming up some new garments with some lucious silk that I recently purchased. Here is one color combo
Here is a second group of 'trials' in the same silk

While Barker and I walk, I dream and scheme......I'm so glad that he doesn't rely upon me for conversation!

I keep forgetting to tell you about the marvelous book that C and I are now listening to on our commutes to and from the condo. It is Tracy Kidder's latest, "Strength in What Remains". We are totally addicted to his work, and chose this one from Audible not knowing one thing about it, but on the strength of his writing alone. It is a great read.

PEACE

6 comments:

Diana Parkes said...

Good luck with your commission Judy. Also like those colour combination samples. What fabric have you used and are the tucks already done?

Terry Grant said...

Have you read Tracy Kidder's "Mountains Beyond Mountains" ? It is so wonderful and so timely right now, with all that has happened in Haiti.

Your commission looks like fun!

Carol said...

I just lost my comment - darn! I was admiring your commission colours, your delicious silk, and of course, Barker. Also, if you'd like to be in the running for my giveaway journal just leave a comment on my current post. If you're already there, I apologise but I'm overwhelmed by the number of comments and am struggling to get to each of them to visit all the blogs. Hugs to Barker, stay warm all of you. XX00

Linda’s Textiles said...

How exciting. Hope your commission goes well Judy.
Nice that this project allows you the time to enjoy the research & experimenting process!

Jeannie said...

Congrats on the commission and I really like what you have shown so far. I too want to know if the silk is already pleated. Gorgeous fabrics Judy.

imquilternity said...

Your silk pieces are just beautiful! I love the multitude of effects possibly from dyeing. I think taking Jan's class is like having an MBA in Shibori!!