Leslie Dill

Hey guys,

Here's some of the works I showed in class by Leslie Dill...

Helpful Resources: Spinning

Beginning Spinning Part 1(video)
Beginning Spinning Part 2(video)
How the Spinning Wheel Works(video)

Yarn Bombing

this awesome image is courtesy Deputy-Dog.com who has compiled an awesome array of yarn bombing images to inspire you!

Helpful Resources: Needle Tatting

Instructables: Learn Needle Tatting (video)
Instructables: How to needle tatt a necklace
Instructables: How to needle tatt a simple flower
Instructables: How to needle tatt an elegant mask

Fiber Arts Shows and Exhibits

Radical Lace and Subversive Knitting at SMoCA (pictures) and info
Mindy Sue Myers'(flickr album) Stitchalicious Show(blog)
Arizona State University's Digital Fibers

Helpful Resources: Sewing

Sew, Mama, Sew - site with great fabric and patterns for sale, as well as a blog with great free tutorials
Whipup - a wonderful fibers blog with all sorts of inspiration, specifically for sewing projects and tutorials
Belle and Burger - a wonderful tutorial on how to make fabric collages and draw with your sewing machine

Soda Soak

Fibers 1: Working with thickened dye/ Tuma
SODA SOAK METHOD FOR PROCION
PRINTING/PAINTING

1. Wash fabric to get rid of sizing and stiffeners. This recipe applies to approximately one pound of fabric (three adult t-shirts). Adjust amount accordingly.


2. Presoak fabric in a solution of 5 Tbsp. washing soda per gallon of water for a minimum of 15 minutes. DO NOT RINSE.


3. Allow fabric to dry and press if needed on low setting (the washing soda scorches easily on the fabric). Or, if you prefer, work on the wet soda-soaked surface for color washes.


4. Mix the dyes: place desired amount of sodium alginate paste or print paste in a small plastic container. Slowly add the dye and mix thoroughly, checking color intensity and shade on a scrap of cloth. When dry the shade will be slightly lighter. Be sure to stir enough to dissolve dye.


5. Let the painted or printed fabric dry slowly under plastic sheeting. During the drying process, the washing soda makes the bond between fiber and dye molecules permanent. If your piece dries too quickly, the color will be uneven or pale.


6. Rinse in buckets of cold water until the excess dye stops running. Use a small amount of synthropol or mild dish soap and hot water. Rinse again in cold. If you don’t remove all the excess dye, it will become fugitive, creeping to the surface of the cloth causing the color to be chalky and uneven.

PREPARING SODIUM ALGINATE PASTE

Put 4 cups of tap water in blender, and sprinkle 1 tsp. sodium alginate powder into the water. Blend well. Allow to sit a minute. Sprinkle another tsp. sodium alginate powder into water and blend well. Allow to sit a minute. Repeat this process until 6 tsps. are added to the water. It may be that the blender will not mix the last round, due to thickness of the paste. If this is the case, you can stir it by hand.When thoroughly mixed, pour into plastic bottles and refrigerate. Paste is ready to use in 24 hours. Always store paste in the refrigerator. Over time, the past can break down, so you may have to sprinkle a tiny bit of extra powder into the paste to stiffen it up.

PREPARING PROCHEMICAL PRINT PASTE

If working with Print Paste, all you have to do is add water and mix to the right consistency, thinner for painting, thicker for printing. Store paste in a plastic container with a tight fitting lid. No refrigeration is necessary. It should last several weeks this way. Discard when it begins to have an ammonia smell.