Dying this fabric was an all day event. Started like this – hot water small load, the dye and delicate cycle although I left the lid up for 10 minute intervals and then shut it to let is swoosh around then lid up – did that 6 times for 60 minutes dying. Using the stick now and then to poke it around.
The dye I used
After 3 wash cycles on large with color catchers and hot water and Retayne in the last this is what the wet looked liked.
After it was dried, pressed and folded – this – did you ever use Moda Mables? That is what this reminds me off – not a consistent color all the way through, there are light blotches and dark blotches. But even though it is not perfect it will be good for a back. Now if I really want RED I will have to do it again but taking this from the very pale yellow that it was I’m not surprised I didn’t get red but more of a dark pink I guess you could say it is. After I was done I did a large wash cycle with a cup of bleach and the machine looks clean – I might make sure I do a load of white dish towels first to make sure but it looks clean.
Barely any shrinkage – I only lost a couple inches and barely any unraveling of the edges I am pretty much still at 9 yards between the two.
When in the sewing room yesterday I caught something out of the corner of my eye and spotted a hawk swoop in and perch on the end of the deck – we have seen them in the woods of course and in the garden area but never on the deck – photo taken through the screen so no clear. Big Bird!! I am linking to Em’s Scrapbag — Small Quilts and Doll Quilts — Love Laugh Quilt —
That’s a nice hot pink and will make a nice back. You’ll have scraps to include in future quilts, most likely. I have always wanted to take a hand dying class and noticed there is someone teaching that this summer at the VT Quilt Festival. This may be my year… or not! Depends on the schedule.
I’m sure there are nicer dyes to order on line some place or specialty stores – but for a back it is good enough!
I’m glad you commented on how you cleaned your washing machine after the dye process. I was wondering if you had to do that. The fabric looks like it will work well for the quilt back. That hawk is a beauty! I’m sure all the songbirds and squirrels were well out of sight; he was looking for a tasty treat!
the machine did’t look like there was any dye in it – I had ran the fabric though 3 more washes to get all the bleed out – because it being red? – but I thought better to be safe!
Well done with the dyeing! The hawk would have been the highlight of my day. It’s such a treat to see them up close.
I love seeing the hawks so close up – I was amazed to see it perched on the end of the deck.
While my “hand dying” is nothing like yours LOL – it will be good enough for the back – I was surprised at how many times I had to wash it to get all the dye out though and that last time soaked it for a couple hours in the hot water!
Interesting to hear about your dying adventure – glad you’re satisfied with the color you got! I like that marbled effect. How exciting to see that hawk right there on your deck! We get them in our yard, too, since we feed the little birds. Sometimes they even land right in our bird bath – I think they like to cool off in it.
The hawk was a highlight for sure. One time I spotted one down in the garden (a ways from the house) and it was perched on a garden fork I had left standing in the middle of the garden they are beautiful creatures. We have a lot of hawks in the country but still rarely see close up.
Your hawk is a beauty for sure, and so close too. I was on the phone the other day and standing by a window when one flew in and landed on our wooden fence, facing me. I have never been so close before, he was a beauty too. We usually see them flying in the sky over our house, their wing span is huge. I can see how long it took to dye that piece with all that washing and ironing! It looks lovely with all the variegated colors. It will really look good on the back of your Propeller quilt. Have a beautiful day.
I always love to see these large birds up close! it really was a good part of the day. Glad you have gotten to see them too. One time while visiting Glacier National Park I got too see a huge spotted owl I think that was the name of it – in a tree above the camp site and that one was great to see too
Your all day dyeing looks sucessful, so you must be vefy pleased about that. Ive never attrmpted dyeing, and if its anything like my attempts of working with glue I don’t think I’ll bother.
LOL – it wasn’t really all that hard the washing machine did all the work until it came time to press it!
OOOOh I love your fabric dying post for sure!!! Thanks for posting all the details too… I LOVE LOVE LOVE your finish too… from a fabric that you found sitting on a shelf to a usable backing now for this mystery is awesome!!!
And that hawk is very cool that you caught that pic of him… we have an eagle that hangs out in our little valley in the mountains and below… it is cool to see him fly around … other birds squawk to let you know he his coming then get quiet when he flies around and perches near until he is gone then they squawk again… like royalty is near! lol Kathi
thanks – the washing machine did all the work.
What a beautiful color that turned out to be!
thanks Jean – I’m satisfied with it – it isn’t red but good enough!