Making your own fabric designs with sun dyes, easy peasy.
Come on lets play
“Art enables us to find ourselves and loose ourselves at the same time.” Thomas Merton
I was tidying up and came across some sun dyes I haven’t played with for long time and I thought what a great process to share. Sun dyes are fun to use with fabulous colours and magic results. These paints are for fabric and can be used on cotton, silk, wool, wood, paper, polyester, nylon, fur, skin, leather, carpet, canvas,raffia, cane, feathers, carpet, upholstery etc always read the instructions for use. Simply paint onto your chosen material and then place, found objects, stencil or shapes, leaves,flowers , feathers, sea shells let your imagination fill the fabric with lovely design.After you place your decoration onto your painted fabric leave in the sun to dry.When the dye has dried completely, remove your object and you will be left with a ghosting image of your shapes.When dry iron your fabric to set and the colour is permanent and wash fast.
The most important ingredient of this technique is to have a still and sunny day, you need it to be still so as your leaves etc won’t blow away .I have also read that you can also use a infra red lamp.
You can use these dyes as textile paints or to enhance any project e.g. pillow covers, cushions, quilting, garments, embroidery.Think about the possibilities and how you can add more layers and texture .
http://www.kraftkolour.net.au/paint/sun-dyes.html,
http://www.thethreadstudio.com/catalogue/colour/colour6.htm
Below are some samples of sun dyed fabric.It was just a quick whip around the garden and studio to have a play and share with you.
From the garden shapes and sizes
From the studio found objects
Sun baking setting the dye
Kangaroo paw played on painted dye painted cotton.
Painted silk with found objects laid on top.
After it has dried in the sun on silk
Laying leaves on the cotton after the dye has been painted on.
Lifted the leaves off and a lovely subtle pattern.
Trying some flowers an d leaves on wool gauze.
Not as successful as cotton.
Dye has been painted on a textured cotton then the leaves placed on top.
In for the sun and a beautiful clear pattern.
I have enhanced the fabric design with stitch and appliqué .
