Cross Training - Silk Dye Painting

Quite by accident, I have discovered the advantages of cross-training.

I have learned to quilt, while continuing to construct clothes. And I've explored art quilting, which I love almost as much as clothing construction. I always return to clothing construction, my first and favorite hand craft. Often I return, affected by, inspired by, informed by the new aesthetics and techniques.

Now I am in the midst of a fun and relaxing adventure outside of my comfort zone. I am taking an 8 week class in silk dye painting from Hellenne Vermillion, a wonderful artist AND teacher. This is the first piece I've taken from start to finish.

I have applied new-to-me techniques to get it to this point: doodle drawing with the resistad, a resist agent; then painting inside the drawn resist lines. I tried to produce as many different, and bright colors as I could. And I tried a little blending while painting on the silk. Some of it was on purpose.

Lastly I steamed it and washed it out. I did not believe that it would really work, so I took *before* pictures, in case it returned to its orginal state of off-white silk crepe de chine. It really worked! A testimony to Hellenne's teaching skill.

It is not a work of art, but it is joyful. So I am joyful with it.

It will become something - perhaps a happy surprise on the inside of a garment? Wall hanging? Window decoration? An infinity scarf? It looks the same on both sides, given the nature of dye painting. So it would be interesting as a mobius scarf.

Before steaming and washing

After