a scene from the utterly fantastic bows and arrows...Last week I meet up with my buddy Christine for a batik class at Bows and Arrows... It was the second class in my ongoing quest for creative self-improvement (last month it was flowers), and I have to say, it did not disappoint.
As always, the space and the collaboration with the other "students" was hugely inspiring -- it's amazing how something as simple as trying a new thing with a group of equally excited people can be so transformative.
For a few days after the class I walked around sporting purple ink stained hands, which actually served as a sort of reminder of how far these little adventures take me out of my everyday existence (which mainly consists of sitting in front of the computer...sad). I was reminded every time I glanced down at my grubby hands how rewarding it is to create and get messy and stretch beyond my comfort zone.
Fantastic.
So now I'm officially addicted to "printing" fabric. I've always loved tie dye and batik (it speaks to my hippie leanings), but I'd never used fabric dye before, so I was a bit intimidated. Now that I have the basics under my belt, I've been combing through books and websites for inspiration and have a few fun projects up my sleeve...I'll keep you posted.
my fabric...
12 comments:
I LOVE THIS, I remember dying shirts with my sisters and then being the coolest girls in our class.
Oooh, this looks like so much fun! I'd love to learn more about dying fabric.
How fun! Sometime you should schedule an Austin visit around one of Kat McTee's Dye, Stitch, Print classes at StitchLab. I haven't actually taken it yet, but I really want to. I first met her when I took her screenprinting class, and she's an awesome teacher. And StitchLab is close to the St. Cecelia!!!
Request a catalog from Dharma Trading and while you're there, check out their website. Tons of blank clothing to dye, tutorials, supplies, I use their paper catalog as reference source as well. Now that you're addicted to having purple hands....
http://www.dharmatrading.com/
Fun! Fun! I need to see if they have any classes the next time I'm in the Big D!
Patti -- thanks great tip!
Michelle -- I think you should plan a trip to dallas for labor day weekend...Christine and I are planning a fun event with Catherine of Rikshaw Design... ;-)
what a fun and inspiring class!!
Oh so cool, cant wait to see what you have in the works.. This is my most favorite of fabrics and would love to learn this myself...
that looks like so much fun!
kiwi and i toured a batik factory in thailand! it's amazing that all those beautiful prints are made by hand.
oh, i'd love to give that a try. i love your goals for self-improvement. i admire a woman who's always trying new things.
I must try this sometime!
so fun! the fabric looks lovely. can't wait to see more.
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