Wednesday, December 30, 2009

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

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

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!

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Merry Christmas!


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

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

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

Sunday, December 13, 2009

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!