Prepping fabrics

 I have two exhibitions next year and they each involve a lot of work, so I am starting as early as I can on both of them. I am trying to push each piece forward a bit at a time so I feel as if I haven't forgotten any single piece. At some point that will change and I will be head down, bum up finishing specific works, but for now, I am a bit of this and a bit of that and a bit more of that over there.

This week was all about prepping fabrics for use in a large piece. I combed through my back catalogue of fabrics and found a bunch that worked well together.

I need a number of long lengths so thought I might also need to dye/stain a few more. Out came some pins.

I folded up the fabric with the pins in, and popped it in a brew of strong black tea.

Which stained it well and the metal made some interesting marks.

It might have been toooo strong a brew so I went again with a slighter weaker mix and random pin placement. Even tho of course it was random in quite an orderly fashion.

 

And here it is hanging in the sunshine in the peace magnolia tree

I started to measure and tear the lengths I might need for the work. And this is how our lounge looks for the time being.

Each one measured and labelled!

I will need to stitch lengths together so that part will be fun.