what if ?

#11: indigo thing

what if i weave indigo torn strips into an existing indigo base? i made slits in the base to weave the rag strips in.  indigo fabric tears nicely with nice color variation on the edges. i chose indigo thread to quilt with and a contrasting brown DMC, 2 strands to tie the woven strips.  (although this can be reversible,  i framed this as a center panel and backed it with a double layer of gauze, wondering if i could use some fussy cut borders from an old indigo batik) liking it... and now wondering if i can create a refashioned antique by recycling scraps of authentic ethnic fabrics. patching them together for a new look.  details to be published in next post.

continued research

#12: perforated indigo test

i've always wondered what would happen if i punched holes in indigo fabric and then machine washed it. could those raggedy frayed holes be used as a design element? indigo dyed fabric has the advantage of a real color fade in the frayed edge so even a small hole should yield a visible wound.

5x8" , cotton plain weave hand woven from yarn dyed indigo (15/1), punctured with a tiny scissor blade to break threads in a varied grid of dots,machine washed, hot dryer with softener sheet.

-punctures fray with nice color change, patterning visible.

-tiny holes close up with fray.

-further potential for decorative effect without weakening fabric.

-nice subtle texture

#13: perforated indigo applied

once a technique is established there is always a what if i apply it to something else, so here it was what if i use the punctured surface texture as a stippling technique? and the indigo rag weaving as a design element?
51/2" x 71/2" cotton yarn dyed indigo ground, punched with a scissor blade as in #12

applique beast cut from a balinese batik

birds in the moon applique with quilted spiral, from an old sun faded shirt

woven strip across bottom as in #11, stitched to spread flat.

machine washed and dried with towel to rough up ragged edges.

#14: ragged flap study in indigo

and so it hit me, what if i leave the flaps of the cuts for holes and fold them back, and tack them so they become a frame for the hole. halos.

before wash, just for reference. in case it disappears.

wash results show stability and a nice fray.

#16: ragged indigo fake ikat

what if i cut the cross section from one plaid and ehance the section of another to get an ikat effect. (or something)...this example, haphazardly appliquéd (from my bird robe) has inspired further study. the idea is to find similar colorations where one fabric has a lighter or different color thread in the pattern so you can patch in a sort of discontinuous motif.  or to place one yarn dyed pattern over another to create another pattern, to fool the eye, to confuse the issue of technique.

to be continued....

what if #20: indigo thing revisited

after rag weaving with indigo on # 11, i wondered if i could use different patterns to form woven blocks. this time i used a  washed down and sun faded indigo dyed velvet and made various slits in sections, varying the fabric patterns used for the weaving. i think if i plan it out more carefully i can form patterns this way.

what if #47: continued

some progress from where i started here, i have added a 'dotted line = running stitch' concept and also i wondered what would happen if i create  contrast between stitching and appliqué for the dot fillings. the different shades of indigo are working nicely here.

what if #51: discharge dots

i have this fabric which is a yarn dyed check.  indigo and sulfur dyed green. both discharge easily in different ways. there is also a mock leno dobby dot motif woven to this check. so i thought what if i play round with discharge dots on this fabric? as part of my dot series.
i was thinking that the texture of the open weave as well as where the colors cross could add interest to the discharge area.

1.a big dot that spanned the different areas of the pattern (leaving the fabric wrinkled and un-ironed),bleach, painted on with a q-tip.
2.smaller dots placed in different areas of the pattern, bleach, painted on with a q-tip.
3.a splatter ...bleach splatter done with a toothbrush .

what if #52: discharged indigo patchwork

what if i chop up some discharge experiments and piece them together. and what if i just use a sewing machine to make it go faster. i want to see. now.  6" x 12" . cotton and linen. indigo. bleach discharge.

what if #53: indigo embroidery

even though this indigo yarn i have is very thick and was meant for weaving, i was wondering what if i use it in some solid embroidered areas? it actually abrades while sewing and there is a nice uneven fade out quality about it. i am using it together with some wonderful hand dyed thread. the greenish color i picked up somewhere and it fits into the indigo range so it looks like part of the fade. the yellow is hand dyed by wonderful sara.

part of a piece that will measure 5" x 12"
freehand pattern drawn in permanent marker on 4" cotton squares. pieced by machine. hand embroidery. (back stitch)
i used a very large eye needle to minimize abrasion. the thread is soft and doesn't hold up for long when stitching through tight fabric. i keep the thread short and that seem to help.  worth every extra effort, lovely color ( better photo in next post) and texture effect. continued here