Indigo Dyeing and beyond

I have been dyeing everything in sight for the past few days - all the small pieces of fabric I have been collecting for the past 4 months- and trying with different kinds of fabric (even paper), to see how well they absorb the indigo. 

This is my first time doing this at home. I did try to do this before here, but there was really no explanation on how to care for an indigo vat, how long to keep your fabric inside the vat, or how long before you wait for it to turn the blue you need, so on and so forth. There are so many questions that I would like to ask a professional indigo dyer… anyway…

I have been stitching my days away for the past months, being inspired by Japanese boro, sashiko, and of course the color blue. Some of the work you can see here if you like.

Since I use little pieces of fabric for my work, I wanted to search for the perfect blue. There isn't really a perfect shade of blue, just a perfect shade for me, that is, as I do have a lot of the very dark shades, I simply needed a somewhere in the middle kind of blue.

Not an easy task at all, especially this being my first time dyeing at home.

So far this is the whole collection, but there are still more things that need to be dipped in that vat. They really need it, I can assure you that.

 This is the mini set up in my mini balcony.

The light blues. Plus a piece paper that refused to be dyed ;(

The bit darker blues.

And the perfect blue for me!! Hooray!!

I loved doing this. Everything about it, even that strong, pungent smell is absolutely amazing. To watch the fabric come out of the vat looking bright yellow and then slowly bit, by bit turn into a beautiful blue color, is just magic. And I LOVE magic!!

I bought my DIY kit from here, but there are so many kits out there. I really can't recommend this enough.

As you probably figured by now, I have turned into an occasional blogger. It just happened naturally, the same way I blogged 3 times a week, now I simply can't and won't.  Perhaps it will come again, you never know.

I'm always here if you want to find me.

I wish you a beautiful blue and warm day today, where ever you might be.
Giova
P.S: I'm a terrible self promoter, but I would be really grateful if you check out my new things here and perhaps tell me what you think?

DIY- Handmade coasters using scraps of fabrics

To continue with the idea of handmade presents that can be personalized, easy to make, that don't break your budget (or mine for that matter) and just in time for Christmas, I decided to make some coasters using fabric scraps.

I love coasters, and use them for almost everything. To put little flower pots, trays with trinkets, and even candles, and the best part is I can change them depending on whatever color mood I'm in.

Lately I'm into blues (also the music genre) but fabrics in this case;  beautiful indigos, navy blue, denim blue and the color of a bright and sunny day, with a splash of red.

 What you'll need:

• fabric scraps in your preferred color/colors
• bigger piece of fabric for the back
• needle and thread
• scissors
• sewing machine optional (I used mine to make these), but you can also do it by hand. I made last year's coasters by hand.

1. Cut out 5 or 6 pieces depending on the size you want your coasters to be. The four I made are all different sizes, but the coasters range 10x7.5cms for the smallest one (which is the one with the letter "G" embroidered) and 10.5x8.5cms for the biggest one (which is the one with the red stitches).

2. Arrange them how you want, and also whether you want a square or rectangle

3. Sew them together. By this point you are probably thinking no way, too much! But since the squares are so little, it really doesn't take that much time. The pieces of fabric are more or less 4x5cms.

4. I first made the top part and when I was done I cut out the piece of fabric for the back. I used the same fabric for all 4, but only because I had leftover fabric from another project, but you can use different ones if you like. 

5. Make the top and bottom part the same size and iron them (this helps a lot) and then sew them together.

6. I actually left the personalization for the end but you can always do that before putting the 2 pieces together. 

Even if you are sending 2 or 4, just make sure you make each one special. It doesn't take much time to add a few stitches, embroider an initial or a word. I think it does make the gift more special.

The other nice side to this present is that it is flat and doesn't weight at all, so you can send it via post with no problems. For more "flat ideas" go here.

Just a little reminder that there is a really nice (ahem) giveaway going on and there is still time to join!

Wishing you a crafty week ahead,
Giova.

DIY- Handmade notebooks for watercolors or sketching

For the next few weeks I'll be sharing some crafty ideas that can be easily made and just in time for Christmas. I know my favorite presents are always handmade things (not the ones I mentioned on the giveaway), but really there is something so incredible about handmade things. The love, time and dedication that goes into a gift, makes it so much more valuable than anything store bought.

After visiting this mill, I knew this was bound to happen (pun intended). What else was I going to do with the lovely "zaansch bord" I bought there?

I recently made a little notebook of scraps of paper that I learned at this e-course, but actually I learned this very easy binding technique here. Igloo letterpress sells "make your own notebook kits" if you want things already cut out for you.

  What you'll need:

• thick paper for the cover (obviously these were purchased at the paper mill)
• a bookbinder's awl (if you have one)otherwise a thick needle will do. My awl is a little one and  apparently for children, I can't think why you would let children use these, as I actually pierced myself with it, and boy does it hurt
• paper for sketching or watercolors (I got Canson's Montval 185gm)
• x-acto knife or scissors to cut the paper
• linen thread
• thick needle
• and things to decorate the cover such as rubber stamps, scraps of fabrics,beads, stamps, etc…)

First: Cut the paper in the desired size and fold . This instructions that follow are for 3 holes, but you can add as many holes as you like.

Top left to right: Make 3 holes with the awl, 3 cms apart, and insert needle on the first hole leaving a long piece of thread in the back (I like how the long strands look). Then insert needle on either hole bringing it to the back.

Lower left to right: Insert needle on last hole and then insert needle in the center hole. That way both strands end up together.

Tie a knot and then tie another knot, this time include the strand that goes from lower hole to upper hole, that way they're tied together.

Personalize the cover, that way you'll be adding an extra touch to the notebooks. For this one I made I rubber stamp and added some beads to the thread.

Have some beautiful stamps? Well sew them on to the cover. I used my sewing machine, but it can be sewn by hand.

Lately I'm a bit obsessed with scraps of fabric, and I think this indigo dyed piece, looks rather nice. You can always add the person's name or initials or a word to the cover, anything goes really, it just means taking the extra step.

I hope you like them and give them a go. They are really easy to make, and I'm sure the recipient would be delighted, I know I would be.

As I mentioned on the giveaway there was a present missing. This is it! One of these notebooks (winner gets to pick which one) will be included. I hope you decide to join in, all you need is to answer my question here on the blog or on the Facebook page.

Have a fantastic and very crafty weekend, and see you monday for another handmade gift idea!!
Giova.
P.S: These will be included in The Flat Project as they are perfect for sending via mail. Light and flat (just my type).

Found Objects Garland

I hope you believe me when I tell you that I found all these little things the same day. It was actually a great day. One of those where the weather is perfect, every one is in a good mood, and you find the perfect things to create yet another garland.

It was also a great day because I saw my friend Jone (only for an hour or so), but enough time so we could talk for a little bit and hug each others. 

I think this is a happy day found objects garland!

You could gather your found objects in a week or maybe two? Or  maybe it can be your found summer objects garland like this one? Since I like garlands or strings so much, this is the best way I find to display what I like, and the reason why you see so many garlands in this blog!

I simply tied a piece of cream thread to all the objects, and added a piece of paper with the date (so that I can remember the special day).

I'm always looking for things on the street. I keep a plastic bag in my purse where I keep all the things I find.

Lately I've been looking for anything rusty. I saw this and I'm now obsessed with trying to dye fabric using rusty objects. So far this is all I've been able to gather, but I think it will be a nice collection soon.

Do you look down and keep the things you find? Do you make something with it, or you just keep it in bottles or boxes?

Wishing you a great start of the week,
Giova