Lesson of the week: using textas to dye fabric.

This week, I got to do what I like best.  I experimented on a new technique with a friend and had fun creating.  She had seen a cushion she liked in a shop and I thought we could make one like it ourselves easily, so she challenged me to come up with a method.  I did my research and discovered that Sharpies can be used to dye fabric.  Unfortunately, there were no coloured sharpies in the local art store, so I experimented with another alcohol based texta, GraphicPro Duo which has a great range of colours.  First, i used the broad nib to mark aboout a 1/12 inch circle. 

Then, I applied rubbing alcohol that I bought from the chemist.  I tried lots of methods - rubbing it on the circles , dripping it on the circles , saturating the centre of the circle....... but the best method seemed to be using a dropper to drip  round the edge of the ink so it seeped out into the fabric.  I let it dry complete, not wanting to start a fire in the living room.  Next, I  ironed it a while to set it properly.  

 

It seemed to work, so my friend came over and we set out to buy some linen from Patchwork on Central Park in Malvern (which, by the way has some lovely fabrics including Liberty,  linens and furnishing remnants).  Then we set to work on her fabric and this is what we got!  Beautiful!  Apparently, the pink ran a little when she washed it, but she is very pleased.  Now all she has to do is to make the cushion!  I am inspired to try dyeing some fabric for me now!

 

My other project was creating a rooster for my new chickens.  I drew an outline and my husband cut it out in marine plywood.  Then, I gave it an undercoat with some old acrylic house paint. 

 

 

 When it was dry, I used acrylics to paint the rooster.  I will use some estapol to seal it and then attach it to the chicken coop/ fence to welcome the new hens.  And the best bit about this rooster is that it won't wake me in the morning.

Lastly, my penny rug pieces are increasing steadily!

 

I haven't visited any galleries lately, but visiting my mother in law in Bairnsdale Hospital, I did come across this amazing tapetry:

I wonder what I will be up to next week?