Funky Purple Pants

Just for fun!

During the dye run a couple weeks ago I threw in several natural colored linen dresses and shirts that I don't wear any more. They all came from Goodwill so I never worry about ruining something I spent a lot of money on. They came out in lovely purples and I cut them up and combined them to make some funky purple pants. To match the fun tunic/vest that was a boring color before but no longer.

So - experiment - recycle - have fun - who cares about what's "in" fashion - create your own style! And (obviously) leave the housework till later!

From the Back

I'm putting together the last bits of an article for "International Quilt Festival: Quilt Scene" and of course I can't show you the cool samples - but I will give you sneak peek and show you some of the quilting from the back.

Because sometimes the back looks really cool even when you use your least favorite piece of fabric from the last dye batch. Can't tell you how many magenta/turquoise pieces I have - time to start over-dyeing them. AFTER I finish writing.

The Dye Bath

Last week was pretty hot - pretty busy - very colorful! I had half a bolt of fabric (50yds) and tons of vintage lace (thanks to Ebay) ready to go. The lace will go into kits for "Photos on Fabric" that I'll be teaching in Houston at the International Quilt Festival in October.

In one way I really love the dye process - but it's a lot of work. Not a whole lot more to mix up dye concentrates and dye a huge amount of yardage than to dye just a few yards so why not do the whole thing at once? Kind of like making spaghetti sauce. I only make it in my gargantuan humongo pot. I usually freeze enough for five or six large meals. This will be most of my palette for the next year or so - or at least until I need some different colors.

The instigation of this particular dye batch is an article for "International Quilt Festival: Quilt Scene"  - a new magazine being put together by the indefatigable editor of Quilting Arts and Cloth Paper Scissors. Fun stuff.