Art Quilts · Color · Designing Quilts · Quilting · Use Up the Stash

What to do, what to do…

quirksltd

Seriously, now, WHAT am I to do with fabrics like this? That I only have a fat quarter of? That are absolutely unique?

dyed fabric alt dyed fabric correct

I like them whole. I think they would look cool cut up into not-too-small pieces. They look similar in color in the photos, but are not really compatible. They don’t really match any of my commercial fabrics, either. And I have lots of dyed fat quarters for which I need to ask the same questions!

So I procrastinated a bit more and played with the lighting and exposure on my camera. I am NOT a knowledgeable photographer and my new camera does lots more than I know how to control, but I’m learning a tiny bit at a time. Here are three shots of the fabric as I played…

Too dark
Too dark
Overexposed
Overexposed
Correct color
Correct color

Maybe I’ll eventually be able to take photos that I’m happy with…while I’m trying to figure out the best way to use up some dyed fabric!

And this is all to avoid any really hard thinking about these dyed fabrics. My brain is just too dead to make creative decisions today!

16 thoughts on “What to do, what to do…”

    1. Fabric success like this leads me on to try and create more, but I’m still not *using* it! That’s the area I need to concentrate on for a while–but it’s sooooooo much fun to play with dye and paint!

      On Fri, Jun 26, 2015 at 7:13 AM, Quirks Ltd. wrote:

      >

      Like

    1. Oh, I see that! I’m not usually looking for ‘realistic’ things, just abstract shapes. Thanks!

      On Thu, Jun 25, 2015 at 9:38 AM, Quirks Ltd. wrote:

      >

      Like

  3. You could dye some solids using the base colors you used in these pieces. I almost always have some dye left from playing that I use for that purpose. Of course the pieces I have sitting there unused are the ones I didn’t do that with you know! Also I find white, black and neon looking solids and some prints in these colors work well with thesd types of prints. Think lime, hot pink and electric blue in small slices or slivers of curves! Sounds awful I know but mixed with black and or white it works for some reason.

    Like

    1. These particular are overdyes, so even the fabrics I dyed in original ‘complementary set’ don’t work anymore. I think I need a concentrated studio day to play mix and match…especially since I really want to make some larger pieces. Actually even some bed quilts!

      On Thu, Jun 25, 2015 at 7:28 AM, Quirks Ltd. wrote:

      >

      Like

  4. Do some wonderful quilting on them to accent the areas using unique threads and bobbin work, embellish with beads, angelina, crystals, foils, glitters, flosses in handwork etc. You can really have a one of a kind never able to attempt a duplicate piece. They are awesome.

    Like

    1. That’s probably what I’ll try, but I have too many pieces like those that don’t play well with others!

      On Thu, Jun 25, 2015 at 12:47 AM, Quirks Ltd. wrote:

      >

      Like

  5. I can see your dilemma. Those fabrics are too beautiful to cut up into small pieces. Maybe using them as background and create on them?

    Like

    1. I do that a lot but if they have a really good looking design, I hate to cover it up. I’ll spend some time in the studio soon and figure it out—because I really like these two!

      On Wed, Jun 24, 2015 at 9:41 AM, Quirks Ltd. wrote:

      >

      Like

    1. I’d use some of those programs, too, if I actually *planned* a quilt project before I got started! I am almost always extemporaneous all the way!

      On Wed, Jun 24, 2015 at 8:34 AM, Quirks Ltd. wrote:

      >

      Like

  7. I have some fabrics from Ghana that I am loathe to cut up. I found a large-block pattern that I plan on using (someday) that will preserve their unique patterns…I will try to remember to bring that book to MQG tonight!

    Like

Comments are closed.