Subtractions & Additions: Building a Personal Language
Elin Noble | June 2-6, 2014
DESCRIPTION
We will explore what happens when color is repeatedly added and removed through sequential shibori techniques. The cloths produced are charged with luminosity, and display sophisticated color nuances and visual complexity. We will use the Procion MX fiber reactive dyes, acid dyes, and thiox as the discharge agent, on cellulose fibers (cotton, rayon, Tencel, hemp and linen) as well as silk. We will cover the basics: learn why the different products are used and when to use them. We will also talk about safety, color mixing, fabric selection and preparation.
SUPPLIES (please label your own supplies)
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• Scissors and/or thread snips
• 1 permanent black marker, such as “Sharpie” or “Rub-A-Dub” for name marking
• Thimble (if you like to use one)
• Hand sewing needles - I like Millinery size 9, Quilt Basting size 7, and Doll Making needles (I will bring the thread for hand stitching and a selection of needles to share)
• Seam ripper
• Rubber gloves, a couple pair – Casabella or Playtex-type household gloves that are at least 4-5” above your wrist.
• A few pair of disposable gloves
• Smock/apron, work clothes, even old shoes
• Vapor respirator fitted with acid/gas cartridges. Google search “respirator with acid/gas cartridge” to find sources. (I use a size SMALL – they are sized with men in mind) recently I have also found them in the painting department of many hardware stores.
• Questions, ideas, desires, and any troubleshooting fabric pieces you’ve dyed that stump you.
Fabric
5-12 yards total of washed and dried (no dryer sheets or fabric softener) fabric. Bring medium to dark commercially or hand-dyed fabric, and white PFD fabric. Cut 1/2 yard of white fabric and 1/2 yard of a dark fabric into fat quarters (total 4 fat quarters). -
Choose a cellulose fiber such as: cotton, ramie, linen, hemp, rayon, tencel or any combination of these. Bring silk along if you’d like, but not as your only fabric. Base how much fabric you bring on your speed, need for variety, project size, and ability to transport. Large amounts of any one fabric are not necessary. You may want to try different types of fabric, some good choices include: lawn, twill, broadcloth, sateen, challis, gauze, chiffon, organza, voile, velvet, velveteen and duck.
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Some fabric sources:
www.thaisilks.com
www.testfabrics.com
www.dharmatrading.com
www.prochemicalanddye.com.
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Recommended List (If you are driving, have it, and have room, bring it. I will bring these items to share)
• 1 roll any width masking tape (partial roll is fine)
• Soft pencil, chalk, or disappearing marker
• Bring as many tubs or totes as is convenient: any size, from a plastic shoe box to a large tote. Look for a vessel that is larger in diameter than it is tall.
• Dye equipment: set of measuring spoons, measuring cups, stir sticks
• Roll of paper towels
• 4-6 clamping devices you wish to bring (c-clamps, bulldog, paper clips, squeeze/spring clamps, bag clips, hair clips, etc.) When looking for spring clamps – choose the plastic ones, instead of the ones that are mostly metal (I use 6” and 9” the most)
• Shapes for clamping: jar lids, wood or plexi blocks – to clamp fabric in between. You need pairs of each shape. You can cut your own out of Plexiglas or any type of wood, even plywood, or get them as shapes at JoAnn Fabrics or Michaels.
• 4 or more pair of bamboo chop sticks – the kind you get in a Chinese restaurant.
• Cone/spool of cord and/or string: crochet cotton, cotton weaving warp, kitchen string, light-weight twine, in various diameters is good, even preferred for pole wrapping techniques
• Clothes pins – a generous hand full
• Rubber bands – a generous hand full
• Box of T-pins
Handy List (If you are driving, have extra to share, and have room, bring it)
• Bath size towel that you don’t mind getting dye on
• Light-weight glove liners, from outdoor sport or fishing supply stores. These are to wear under the rubber gloves and insulate your hands from the hot discharge bath.
• Spray bottle, such as a plant mister
• PVC plumbing pipe: one or more 2-3 foot lengths of 2”-4” diameter PVC plumbing pipe – smaller diameter is okay. Do not bring any piece longer than 3 feet.
• Sewing machine in good working order (I will also bring a machine for everyone to use).
• 3-in-1 Color Tool by Joen Wolfrom to use as a reference guide
• Dyes & Paints book to use as a reference guide
• Pleaters: smocking, knife (perfect pleater) and/or pretty pleater (for doll making)
• One 3’ to 4’ length of polypropylene or nylon braided or coiled rope, 1/2” or larger diameter. (from boating supply stores and hardware stores)
Materials fee provides
• Dyes, auxiliary chemicals, handouts and some tools for dyeing
If you have any questions about the materials list or the course in general, please > Email
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