Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Big ol' rainbow fabric

I offered to dye this very long and wide fabric for school.  I think it was about 8m long and it was 280cm wide.  It was folded in half to create two very long rainbow pieces when it was cut in half, so it was 140cm wide.  I folded it back and forth like a fan in order to get it into a managable size to dye.

Here it is drying on the back deck
giantrainbow fabric

It looks so much better when it was put to its intended use!
rainbowfabric

And I said I had some dyes to give away...
dylon

Back when Dylon relaunched their Hand dyes range a nice gentleman from a PR company asked me if I'd like to try the dyes.  I said yes, but then you know life got in the way.  That pesky home renovation (yes, I will show some finished photos soon)!  He sent me three beautiful colours.  But...I am a dyer.  I am a chemist.  I like to be in control.  I like to know exactly how much dye I use.  I like to play with thickeners.  I like to do my soda ash separately.  I add some other hocus pocus chemicals to my dye solutions.  (and if you are going to dye on a regular basis, it is cheaper to buy dyes without fixative).  So I've never used them.  

They are a fuschia, turquoise and a violet.  They would work well if you wanted to use them together or look beautiful used individually.

Would you use them?  Would you like them?  (I will only post these in Australia.)

Leave me a comment telling me what you'd like to do with them!  I'll pick a winner randomly on Saturday evening sometime.

9 comments:

CurlyPops said...

I would love to win them, but not for me, for my friend Beccasauras. I found her a lovely chenille bedspread at the oppy today in a light pink colour, but it's crying out to be dyed fuschia!

Tanya said...

NOw I want to know all your dying secrets. I have used some called procion dyes (or something like that) ages ago and that involved separate soda ash- but obviously the details are hazy! I like all those colours you have as a lovely prize. I would probably give new life to a few of Annies (off) white t-shirts. That might be a bit too boring to deserve to win! Sara- Your massive rainbow looks amazing.

Siobhan said...

Oh, so that's what it was for! Gorgeous. Certainly worth the effort.

Ooh, I'd *love* to try dyeing! I have beautiful hemp jersey and bamboo/cotton interlock, both natural. I'd probably end up making short-sleeved Olivias and t-shirts for summer. Not very exciting perhaps, but it's what the elflet needs, so it might as well be beautiful!

Sarah said...

That rainbow is absolutely stunning - the hand-dye effect adds so much to it, I'd have never thought of dying a banner rather than sewing it. Beautiful!

Steffi said...

The rainbow fabric is sooo beautiful!Great colours,Sara!

toadstooldots said...

The rainbow is amazing.
Hard to believe how you managed this huge bundle of fabric.

I have never tried to dye by myself and your packages could give me a quick start. I see wonderful new tops or Olivias for summer in front of me.

Karen said...

Sara they must love you at Moo's school - the rainbow is amazing.
Don't count me in for the prize though as I am scared stiff of dyeing! I'm happy to leave that one to the expert
- you!

Unknown said...

That rainbow is AMAZING, how could you not smile just looking at it? Thanks xxx

Jodie said...

If I won, I would be able to dye all of the unacceptable fabric I own into shades of pink and purple - the only colours Miss almost 4 will have (the blue is for me so I don't get jealous). Love the rainbow - but then everything you do is so beautiful :)