I just can’t resist a bit of indigo dyeing (yes, that pun was fully intended ;-) ) and this week there’s been a lot of folding, scrunching and dipping going on here in the InStitches studio.
As you can see from the photograph above, I already have quite a collection of indigo fabrics amassed over the years of teaching! And the funny thing is it’s always a beautiful day when we start an indigo vat, which is a good thing because the vats are a bit smelly and besides which it’s always great to do the actual dipping outside.
We like to demonstrate several folded resist techniques so I thought I’d share the paper exercise we do as it’s always easier to do these first before going into fabric. To ensure an even grid fold the paper/fabric in half first, unless of course you are working to an exact size.
Then keep folding each section in half until the whole page/ fabric is neatly stacked, you may have to reverse a fold to ensure they are folding alternate ways. Whether it’s paper or fabric, make sure you firmly crease the edges and keep all the layers square and true.
The dips are called valley folds and the peaks are mountain folds.
Several different type of clamps can be used to hold the fabric securely and these will leave white, undyed patterns across the fabric’s surface.
Alternativley the pleated strip can be folded, above it has just been folded in half and half again which will create a chequerboard effect.
Here we’re using some craft shapes top and bottom to act as a resist, held in place with some huge plastic DIY clamps....and a peg for additional effect!
The accordion folded strip can also be concertinaed into right angled triangles, take care to make sure the folds are as sharp as possible so the resulting grid is as regular as can be....
so that will mean getting the iron out, but when you see the results I’m sure you’ll agree it’s worth it.
Sometimes we tie the stack bundles and other times we use thin rubber bands.
It is possible to create an equilateral triangle grid and the easiest way to do this is to mark the accordion strip with the help of your quilters’ ruler. Then fold and iron sharply!
This time we used three laundry pegs to hold the folds in place. The ‘bite’ of the peg will also act as a resist and yes, we’re peg snobs here in the studio...
as you’ll know if follow us on Instagram!
because this special delivery brought a smile to my face as I know the ‘bite’ will be a lovely little dot!
If you want a fan resist then start with a square and make the accordion folds on the diagonal. Just take care to keep the point neat, which I must admit is easier said than done!
The accordion folded strip can also be concertinaed into right angled triangles, take care to make sure the folds are as sharp as possible so the resulting grid is as regular as can be....
And here are some of the fabrics after dipping in the indigo vat, aren’t they wonderful? These folded and clamped resists aren’t just for use with an indigo vat, they’ll work a treat with procion dyes too.
So perhaps you’ll have a go this summer and if you do we’d love to see. If you post to Instagram tag us: @institches2013 or why not drop us a comment below? I often wonder if anyone actually joins us each week and reads the blog!
Best wishes
Hazel & Terry
So perhaps you’ll have a go this summer and if you do we’d love to see. If you post to Instagram tag us: @institches2013 or why not drop us a comment below? I often wonder if anyone actually joins us each week and reads the blog!
Best wishes
Hazel & Terry
RSS Feed
