Join Aaron in this two-day exploration of resist dyeing and whole cloth quilts.
On day one (10am-4pm), we’ll learn to create dynamic resist patterns on fabric, and how to scale those patterns up on large pieces of fabric. We’ll focus on dyeing with indigo and how to manage bulky bundles in the indigo vat. We’ll cover manual resist techniques, like shape resist and twist resist, as well as clay paste resist for hand-drawn patterns.
Aaron will provide fabric for your quilt tops and for experimenting, and you are encouraged to bring items from home to dye—fabric, clothing, linens, are all great, as long as they are made from natural fibers and pre-washed beforehand.
On day two (10am-3pm) we’ll use our fabrics we dyed on day one to begin a whole cloth quilt. Whole cloth quilts are quilts made from (typically) one large piece of fabric used as the top, rather than the pieced quilt tops many of us are used to. Whole cloth quilts rely on the intricacies of the fabric and stitching lines for visual interest rather than the patterns of pieced fabric. We’ll learn to plan our quilt layout, transfer it to our fabric, make a quilt sandwich, and get to work with big-stitch whole cloth quilting.
Participants will leave with a stack of indigo dyed fabric and a hefty start on a whole-cloth quilting project.
Participants should bring a throw-sized quilt batting (about 50 x 60 in.), and any preferred sewing notions they might have (thimbles, sewing lamps, magnifiers, etc.). All other materials will be provided.