Rainbows End studios Designer Textiles Now Availiable

A new range of the designer textiles I have been printing in the last few days are now available at The studios online shop Come pick up a bargain on one off designer textiles

Textiles are only available in 104cms x 50cms at the moment. They are perfect for that special project or make up into two fat quarters for quilters. However I plan to upgrade my facilities over the next couple of days so I can print 1 and 2 metre lengths I am also in the process of printing up some lovely Indigo fabric I busy constructing a tute on how to dye with Indigo I hope to have this up in the next couple of weeks

Forum

This blog now has a forum mainly to gage interest in what kind of things people would like to see on my blog I have had over 30 years experience in textiles and have taught in in schools enterprises, crafts and arts councils and indigenous communities all over Australia. I dye, silk paint, screen print, lino block print and free motion machine embroider So pop into the forum and tell mw what you would like to see

Cheers Julie-Ann

Printing Up a Storm!

Or in one? Its been so hot and steamy lately but I managed to get some printing done despite the rain. I had to rig up an exposure light to make myself some new screens as the last few days have been devoid of sunlight. I have been playing around with some mandala designs I like the look of the way they print so I may make up some more.

i have decided to sell these hand prints from my studio site so stay tuned for some changes in the studio shop soon. Each piece is hand-dyed then free screened I used single motif screens and place them were the urge takes me So each piece is composed just like a painting No two pieces of the fabric are ever the same each is unique and individual in its own right Its own piece of original art.

I am going to print up some other dyed lengths including a stash of indigo I have made in the past These will be available in one and two metre lengths The sun-coloured ones are only available in 50cms because of my current facilities which will change in the near future Then I plan to do larger pieces. Humm.... prices? probably about$12 to $15 per 50 cm They are on quality homespun 100% cotton and extra for postage Anyway stay tuned an announcement will be made as soon as they are available in the shop!

Autism Hour

Autism Hour

Merry Christmas!

Have a happy and safe Christmas and may you get everything on your list!

Completed halter top

This is Molly's halter top I made using the Treadle Butterfly The fabric is from the op shop as is the pattern I used I adapted the pattern from one printed in 1977. Molly loves it! I also added some sequins and beads to the embroidery

Retro Active!

I have had my nose to the grindstone lately making new clothes for my girls for Christmas I have had a wonderful time making them from op shop off cuts and using beautiful 70's patterns also from the op shop!

a couples of weeks ago right in the middle of a sewing frenzy we had a huge storm and lost power for about 6 hours So I dragged out my old Singer treadle and got it going. I have been having a wonderful time researching how to use it on the net ever since and working out and trialling all the strange feet included. In my travels I found a utube tube video of a lady using the treadle for machine embroidery so I decided to give it a go. To my absolute delight I found it the best machine I have ever used in free motion embroidery. It has the ability to layer the thread over and over itself with the most amazing ease. Since my old Elna lotus died I have not found a modern machine to do this with protest!

Anyway here is the result

This is halfway through I used a dissolving wash bag I wanted an unattached image

This one is the completed butterfly after a few wonderful hours of creating! Just like painting with thread

And here I have dissolved the bag and placed the butterfly on the fabric I am going to use to make Molly a top I am going to feature the butterfly in the centre of the front yoke May even ad a sparkle or two!