Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Leave Quilt Boarders



From my red maple leaves I got these wonderful tumbling leaf quilt boarders.



The detail is great,


all different shades of green, yellow and rusty red,





yards and yards of leaves!



My grandson picked me some red flowers I had planted around my mailbox with the idea to try them in the dye pot.



Great idea!! The red petals turned out bright blue.



with cute yellow centers.
(All my finished fabrics I show on my blog have been washed in my washer with gentle soap. I won't use them in my quilt until then).



I never take the highway to work I always take the side streets enjoying the view, well look at what wonderful view I had waiting for me today.



I sat watching them until they slowly wandered away.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Love, love, love the bright blue flowers!! You are training the boys well!! :) Deb C

Peggy said...

Kathy, these are spectacular! Could you share more about the process with the leaves -- the fiber and any mordant -- did you steam or spray with vinegar? I'm wondering because I've collected a basket of red leaves! :) Thanks. xoxo

Kathy -MIQuilter said...

Hi Peggy, This is how I process all my natural dyed prints. Most of it I learned from India Flints book and blog, but I add a few more steps of my own. The fabric I usually work with is wool. I always, always premordant with alum. Then I roll the leaves, flowers etc. tightly in wet fabric. Tie firmly, place in strainer, place the pot lid on tightly (with a rock on top) and steam for a good hour. Do not open, leave over night, the next day I place the fabric rolls in plastic bags, seal and set heavy books or pail of water on top. I check every day looking for signs of (pink) mold, usually I leave it 5 to 7 days (mold does not wash out of wool easily). Next I rinse it well and wash it in my washer with a mild soap. I don't want to use it for my quilts if it can't stand up to the soap and washer. I have great results with this method.

Kathy -MIQuilter said...

Thanks Deb C. I'll make you some next summer for your crazy quilt!

Peggy said...

Hi Kathy, thank you so much for sharing your process! I'm hopeful. ;) xoxo

Deb Hardman said...

Spectacular prints Kathy! Your quilt is going to br wonderful!

I like the owl block too. We've been hearing our owl in the early evenings & early morning. I love his hoot hoo hoo hoooo.

Deb Hardman said...

Spectacular prints Kathy! Your quilt is going to br wonderful!

I like the owl block too. We've been hearing our owl in the early evenings & early morning. I love his hoot hoo hoo hoooo.

  • Deb Hardman
  • Allie Aller
  • Jenny Bowker Cairo
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