I have not felt like doing any of the projects I was working on, so I decided to revisit something I had in mind about 2 + years ago. I bought all these wonderful fabrics and cut them up in shapes for something I had in mind at the time. I realized that I couldn't put them together the way I wanted to... laws of geometry... so I left them sit. Because I am not in the mood to really think about what I am doing I decided to chop these fabrics up and just strip piece them. Definitely mind numbing, but that is all I am in the mood for.
While I was out today, I stopped at my local quilt fabric store. I haven't been there in quite a while as I have not been buying commercial fabrics of late. I was looking for some large flower prints, hoping to jump start my creativity. I was sorely disappointed on several levels. One, they had nothing of interest, but worse, they have changed the whole focus of the store. They used to have a really great selection of fabrics that I loved. They have since changed their stock to much more traditional stuff.... and lots of it! Yuck. The owner loves art quilts but she says she has almost no customers who are into that. She has to please her clients and this is what they want. Oh my. I am really glad I can come up with most of what I want. Guess when I go to shows I am going to have to buy there.... it used to be that the quilt shop carried most of the stuff.... sigh, not anymore.
3 comments:
Hi Sherryl,
I just discovered your blog. I'm just beginning to dye my own fabric so am scouring the internet for interesting sites.
I had the same experience a couple of weeks ago...I walked into a fabric shop that I used to love, looking for good, bright "batiks". They used to have the best in town. That day, none. The ladies told me there was no longer any call for them so they quit handling them! Their fabric now is all sort of "country" looking in browns and oranges and greens and small prints. Ick.
Today I'm going to try thickening my dyes (I just got my first order from Dharma on Tues.) and I want to try something like the fabric in the lower left of your pic above. I just finished a wall-hanging with some purchased fabric that is similar to that. We'll see how it goes!
Anyway, I'll be looking forward to your posts!
Susan
Susan, just remember that when you are using thickened dye, you only have a short window... no more than 4 hours to use up the activated dye paste. I only activate a small amount at a time. If I am not going to use up all the dye solution, I toss it in the fridge. I have a friend who tosses hers in the freezer and swears there is no degradation.
Have fun!
Yummy colors that you're piecing. Too bad about your fabric store. I seldom buy fabric anymore, but when I do I still have good sources near by that carry the good stuff.
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