Category: Classes & Shibori Chic Clothing

Class schedule and clothing line…

Another good day to dye…

Another good day to dye…

So I have been in the dye studio for a few days and have some pieces to share. These are all various forms of shibori, the Japanese word for putting pattern on fabric by applying pressure with dye.  Most of these are silk fabrics, procion dyes are used on each.

Itajime circles under a chevron.
Itajime shibori circles under a chevron pattern.

 

Itajime with circles and 2 dye colors.
Itajime with circles and 2 dye colors.

 

This sekka shibori with blueberry and raspberry dye is making me hungry!
This sekka shibori with blueberry and raspberry dye is making me hungry!

 

More itajime, this time with zig zag stripes and navy and red dyes.
More itajime, this time with zig zag stripes and navy and red dyes. This fabric was dyed, discharged and over-dyed.  This method brings out a lot of subtle complexity in the final product.  

Admittedly, this chevron piece is kinda ugly. But I have learned that this is merely an opportunity to throw it into another dye bath or discharge it to get something spectacular. Stay tuned.

Now comes one of my favorite parts of the art-making process:  auditioning fabrics to put them all together….

Going to the Chicago Quilt Show…

Going to the Chicago Quilt Show…

I am delighted to be a part of the International Quilt Festival in Chicago next month.  I will be demonstrating techniques from my book Wild and Wonderful 3-D Quilts on Thursday and Saturday, March 26  and 28 as part of the Open Studios events.

Framed! I
Framed! I

It’s going to be great fun, and in between, I get to see my sister and wish my dad happy 85th birthday!  I just hope it warms up about 70* before then….

NEW: Shibori Salon Workshop Series

NEW: Shibori Salon Workshop Series

Please join me for my new workshop series.  I will open a second session on Tuesday afternoons if the Thursday sessions fill.  The Supply List is below.

shibori salon

Shibori Salon Supply List

Shibori is the Japanese word for using pressure (created by folding, stitching, clamping, or binding) to create patterns with dye on fabric or paper.  This is a survey course in Shibori with Procion dyes.  I will provide dye solutions in a variety of colors at each session, along with dye recipes and info on the dye process.  In later sessions, I will also provide a thiox discharge bath.  You will make several small fabric samples for future reference or for use in your work.

Required supplies (bring to each session):

A selection of silk, cotton, linen, and/or lightweight rayon  fabrics up to ½ yard pieces to start (you can work larger on a couple of pieces later if you wish).  Boring or ugly commercial fabrics and batiks may be good candidates for the kind of work we will be doing.  Bleached muslin or PFD fabric is fine, but you can also take fabrics out of your stash.  New or used clothing (whole or cut up) will work, but keep the pieces small to start.  You don’t need to ‘scour’ your fabrics in advance, but you can if you wish (blasphemy, I know).

Clamps (small C clamps or hardware clamps)

A large handful of rubber bands of various sizes

Hand sewing needle with a fairly large eye (I will provide thread)

Clamps (small C clamps or hardware clamps; many different kinds will work.)

Bamboo chopsticks (several clean pairs)

A large handful of rubber bands in various sizes

A handful of coins or small balls in different sizes

2-3 pairs of knee-hi stockings or panty hose.  Patterned is fine if that is what you have.

Ziplock bags (at least 5 in the one-gallon size, and 5 in the smaller size)

Dishpan

Several small and medium plastic containers with or without lids

Dishwashing gloves or medical gloves

Blue Dawn dishwashing detergent (you will need this at home to washout your samples)

ball of cotton or hemp twine or string, any weight

Please plan to wear old clothes and/or a smock, sturdy shoes, and a hand towel to use a a drip rag. 

If you wish to track your processes (i.e., dye color, manipulation, etc.) for each sample you make, bring a Sharpie pen and notebook to mark your fabrics and write your notes, or sew Tyvek strips to your fabrics and note the changes on the Tyvek.

Optional supplies (please bring these if you have them available):

18’’ (approximate) length of PVC pipe (3-6’’ in diameter)

5′ of 1″ polyester rope

Matching pairs of square, rectangular, or round plastic or wooden shapes

If you want to try dyeing paper, bring sheets of Abaca paper (brand name:  Tissuetex, available online at www.meinketoy.com and other online shops.  This paper will not disintegrate in the dye solution or washout.  You are welcome to bring other papers for experimenting.  Test first for durability!)

**Pair of heavy duty rubber gloves

**Pair of silk glove liners (available at outdoor/hiking stores)

**Respirator  (link is here: http://www.prochemicalanddye.com/product.php?productid=17358&cat=342&page=1)

**You MUST bring these items if you wish to dishcharge fabrics yourself.  Otherwise, I will handle your fabrics for discharging.

Email me with questions at mary@maryvaneecke.com.

 

Quilt Fiesta is here!

Quilt Fiesta is here!  As usual, I have been busy in the dye studio getting ready to stock my booth for the big show.  I look forward to this weekend all year.  It’s a chance to see my quilt ‘people’ and hang out at our booth with my friend Trish Hastings-Sargent.  Here are a few of the items that will be available at the the show….As always, I have some new styles and color combinations this year.  Hope to see you at the show!

Some new Shibori Chic scarves will be on offer...prices range from $30-$40.
Some new Shibori Chic scarves will be on offer…prices range from $30-$40.
Love the way this long sleeved T came out of the final dyebath....  It's one of a kind and $45
Love the way this long sleeved T came out of the final dyebath…. It’s one of a kind and $45.
This new twist-front shirt looks great with a scarf.
This new twist-front shirt looks great with a scarf.  $70 if you buy both ($30 for the scarf, $45 for the shirt)

 

A gorgeous one-of-a-kind rust, green, and gold turtleneck.  $45
A gorgeous one-of-a-kind rust, green, and gold turtleneck. $45
This $40 T has been through 3 dyebaths, and looks great with a beautiful, soft rayon knit infinity scarf ($45).
This $40 T has been through 3 dyebaths, and looks great with a beautiful, soft rayon knit infinity scarf ($45).
Pastel peach shirt $(45) and elegant drapey infinity scarf ($45).
Pastel peach shirt $(45) and elegant drapey infinity scarf ($45).

 

And of course, I will be selling my new book, Wild and Wonderful 3-D Quilts, too.
And of course, I will be selling my new book, Wild and Wonderful 3-D Quilts, too.

You are Invited to Chaos, Controlled: The Fiber Arts of Mary Vaneecke

maryvaneecke post card invit frontmaryvaneecke post card (1)Chaos Controlled:  The Fiber Arts of Mary Vaneecke features many new and small works as well as my shibori chic scarves and clothing.  Please come to the opening reception Saturday, January 10 from 7-9 pm.  I will give an artist talk on Saturday, January 31st at 2 pm.

Art House Centro Gallery is in Old Town Artisans, 201 N. Court Ave. (next to the Tucson Museum of Art).

Hope to see you there.  Here is a sneak peek of the hanging yesterday.  I love the small shibori ‘monoprint landscapes’ I just completed for the show (center).

chaos controlled hanging resized

 

 

 

 

Off the Wall Options for 3D Art Quilts

I have just finished working up two class samples for a 3D Quilt class I am developing.  My brain has been working out the possibilities for different types of 3D projects for beginning art quilters, or those who work with commercial fabrics.  The fabrics for both these projects were lurking in my stash.  I can’t believe how well the landscape quilt fabrics work–they are not even from the same line….  The possibilities for creative embellishments are endless!

I think either one of these would make a good class project, don’t you?

Southwest Vistas, 18'' x 42''
Southwest Vistas, 18” x 42”

Southwest Vistas detail

Falling for You, 20'' x 15''
Falling for You, 20” x 15”

 

Behind the Screen – A Demonstration of the Thermofax Screen Printing Technique

BEHIND THE SCREEN – A FREE DEMONSTRATION

OF THE 

THERMOFAX SCREEN PRINTING TECHNIQUE

Did you ever wonder how a thermofax screen works?  How to make one from your own photo?  How to incorporate them into your art quilts?  What is the difference between thermofax and silkscreens?  Where can you get them locally? Get answers to all your questions and try the technique for yourself.

Saturday, March 9, 2013

1:00 -2:00 pm and 2:00-3:00

Seating is limited.  Please RSVP to

mary@maryvaneecke.com or 520-444-7149

At my studio, 2000 S. Hermosa, near Starr Pass and I-10.  Go west on 22nd St., left on Greasewood, right on San Juan Terrace, left on Hermosa.  Follow the path through the gate to studio in back of the house.

detail, 'Off the Wall' showing images printed with the thermofax screen.
detail, ‘Off the Wall’ showing images printed with the thermofax screen.
Prepping for the Tucson Open Studios Tour

Prepping for the Tucson Open Studios Tour

The studio is humming as I prep my Shibori Chic clothing and some small works for both the Tucson Open Studios Tour and the Tubac Holiday Artisans Market this week.  I will have my discharged rayon scarves and t-shirts in addition to some new rayon/silk burnout scarves I am trying for the first time.  These are dyed in some beautiful colors–an elegant and unique way to keep the chill off.  Some photos are below.  I also got some great results with a different binding technique this year…..check out the black and white scarf in the top left hand corner.

Stop by my temporary studio at 3231  N. Craycroft Rd.  (St. Gregory’s School Classroom 1) on Saturday or Sunday between 11 am and 4 pm.  I will be sharing it with five other fiber artists who will be demonstrating some of our techniques.  My plan is to work on a new (to me) process called paper lamination, where paper is glued (laminated) to sheer fabric which can then be layered on other fabric and stitched or felted.  It offers many interesting possibilities for my upcoming work.    I have some small samples I am happy with, so it is time to try it in some actual work.

(A side note:  was hoping to bring my new felting machine for a test drive, but it will not be delivered in time….)

Warning: these photos are quick snapshots.  You need to see them in person to see how great the colors are!

Some scarves and small works that will be available at the Open Studio Tour.
A turquoise ‘Little Gem’ that is hand-dyed, screen-printed with some new images I have been trying, and layered and stitched. 8” x 10” matted.
A ‘Little Gem’ with several discharging media, metal leaf, and stitching. It is 8” x 10” matted.