Dyeing Mandales & Japanese Itajmine

I keep thinking my life can't get any busier than summer arrives with the grandchildren off from school, I take care of them a few days a week in addition to helping my parents everyday, go to work and then on top off it all we decide to get a new kitchen! What was I thinking! But now it is done, complete remodel, new cabinets, tile backsplash and quartz counter tops. Love it. I painted all last weekend and am now I'm working on getting everything put back away.

I did squeeze in a little time for myself this summer. The American Quilters Society brought their quilt show to Grand Rapids and I took a few dyeing classes. This first one was called Frozen Mandalas. We learned how to fold and manipulate the fabric to form a mandala. Lay ice over the folded up fabric and pour on the dyes. I wasn't sure how it would turn out but it worked.
I wish I could remember the instructor's name to give her credit, she did a fabulous job. Carole if you do please put it in comments.

Another one I made.

We also made several other "tie dye" pieces.

I have a challenge going on with Kay and Carole who were also in the class.

Hopefully next year we will meet and show our completed quilt pieces made from our dyed fabrics.

This was  synthetic dye not natural.

 

From our India inspired mandalas to Japanese inspired Itajmine.

Which involves folding, resists and clamping,

After folding and clamping, dyeing (synthetic indigo) and washing this is my "collection".

A few of my favorite pieces up close.

spider web?

Love this sunburst

The grandkids named this stars and moons,

and this one soccer balls.

A neighbor said this was his favorite one. My dye clean up rag!

I wanted to share the story behind this child's dress with you. I went to a lecture at the quilt show and the speaker told how during World War II they made silk maps for the pilots. The maps were of the territory the pilots were flying over in case they were shot down they would hopefully find their way out. They made the maps from silk because water would not hurt it, they wouldn't rustle and make noise and they could sew them secretly into their uniform. When the soldiers came home some were sewed into clothes and perhaps quilts?