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| Proof dye doesn't go bad after six months when stored in the refrigerator. The dye used was mixed in January 2016. |
This was one of those weeks when I felt like a mother of young toddlers, again. In other words, their plans subverted my own. This is more a feeling than reality. The time I hoped to spend in the studio was more appropriately spent on other work. So be it.
I did manage to do something I've been try to get to for months, make that over a year. In 2016 I committed to focusing on surface design techniques by turning a full bolt of PFD (prepared for dying fabric) Kona cotton into dyed, painted, and stamped fabric. I transformed all but the last yard and a half. On Monday I decided I had procrastinated long enough. I had the fabric, I had the dye stored in my refrigerator, it was time to combine the two.
I was concerned about what would happen. I had read that dye is only stable for six months in the refrigerator. This dye was well past that. Apparently the six month "sell by date" isn't hard and fast. I was very pleased with the blues I was able to achieve. They will make gorgeous dusk or dawn skies.
I even did a bit more than dying, as you can see:
1) Finishing Forest Flora - working on it
I managed to finish attaching the binding. I still need to make and attach the hanging sleeve.
2) Finish Picking Up the Pieces #1 and #3, #4 - working on it
I made the sleeves, they are pinned in place, and I have started attaching them.
3) Pot(s) made this week - Done.
For years I have referred to a pattern I have on how to make hanging sleeves. I have made 100 sleeves or more, definitely more if you count my split sleeves as two. This week I didn't even bother to pull out the pattern. I've made so many, I know all the adaptations I like to make to achieve a sturdy sleeve, which won't show from the front, can handle numerous rods being shoved in and pulled out, and even looks professional.
4) Free motion quilting practice - Not this week.
Next week is a short week here in the US, since we will be celebrating Thanksgiving. When I return to the studio after Thanksgiving I will focus on:
1) Finishing Forest Flora
2) Finish Picking Up the Pieces #1 and #3, #4
3) Pot(s) made this week
4) Free motion quilting practice
I am now linking up to two blogs on Fridays. The first is Nina Marie's Off the Wall Fridays and the second is Free Motion Mavericks.
I am now linking up to two blogs on Fridays. The first is Nina Marie's Off the Wall Fridays and the second is Free Motion Mavericks.
I have also found out that you can keep dye solution for several month in a fridge, mixed alginate too.
ReplyDeleteI keep dyes on the floor of basement wet studio and find that even there they last for a few months. Since I am not usually focused on repeating a color I can be satisfied with what comes out however old they are. But they do eventually cease to transfer color. And I have been feeling as you describe for the past month as life events take me away from my studio.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see the dye worked, Gwyned. I still have some in my little refrigerator......maybe I will use some of that left over cotton sitting on a shelf! Thanks for the nudge.
ReplyDelete