Written by The first workshop of the Surface Design Group will be Sept. 14, from 1:00-3:00, at the Liberty Town Arts Center. We can use Jane Dunnewold’s book “Complex Cloth: A Comprehensive Guide to Surface Design”, but it is not needed to attend the workshops. She also has a newer book which I’ve not seen .
Fees will be $5.00 per meeting for Fredericksburg Spinners and Weavers Guild members and $10.00 for non-members. This helps support the rental fees for the Guild studio, without which we would be unable to meet at Liberty Town.
Here is what you need to bring (I’ll bring a bucket of dye for us to use; please bring $1.00 for a supply fee if you want to dye during the workshop): at least one (though preferably several to keep you busy) 12″x 12″ piece of white or light-colored cotton, silk, or plant-based cloth (the dye used is Procion MX which is for cotton, silk, or plant-based only), some upholstery thread or nylon thread suitable for your fabric (sewing thread will not work as it will break when we pull on it to gather the fabric), a long needle that will accomodate the thread, small scissors for cutting the thread, a bucket and several sealable plastic bags for transporting cloth and liquid dye. Optional: pen/pencil for drawing pattern on the cloth, circle or other templates. You will need a seam ripper to use at home.
I’ve used an old workshirt of my husband’s and it worked well even though I hadn’t scoured it and it had endured years of commercial starching. I just washed it in hot water and mild detergent (no brighteners/whiteners/etc.) and that was fine for experimentation. It’s now hanging in the Guild studio at Liberty Town.
Wear old clothes and bring plastic gloves for dyeing.
See http://www.burdastyle.com/techniques/dyeing-fabric-shibori-techniques for an example. Simply gorgeous!!!!!
RSVP if you are coming, please. I need to know how much dye to prepare. If you have any questions please ask.
Please feel free to let others know. Make sure they understand that this is not just a series of freebie lessons, but a group in which all members are expected to research topics on their own and share knowledge.
Check out this note on the FSWG website to find out about any updates. This will keep down on email.
Pat
