Making A Good Yarn creations

I like to keep discovering and developing new and challenging techniques to achieve different results. Some of the techniques I have used to date include:

Nuno felting
The fundamental basis of Nuno felting is a combination of felted fibre and fabric. Nuno refers to the fact that fibres are felted onto previously woven or otherwise constructed cloth (Nuno is Japanese for cloth).

Essentially I place fibre (often fine Australian merino wool) onto fabric (such as cotton voile or silk) and felt the fibre onto the base fabric. To felt a fibre, four elements are required: water, heat, alkaline and agitation. So I work (agitate) hot, soapy (alkaline) water over the fibre until it felts itself onto and around the base fabric/s. I then hand dye the creation.

Shibori
The basis of shibori is working a piece of fabric tied around a pole or stitched and/or folded and/or tied in different ways prior to dyeing. The fabric can also be dyed and overdyed in numerous ways to create different effects.

Devore or velvet burnout
In devore a pattern is created by chemically burning out areas of velvet leaving the silk backing. The pattern is applied using a silk screen. As the chemicals are quite toxic great care needs to be taken so don’t try it without experienced instruction and supervision!

Hand dyeing
Colour is a key element of my work. I transform white. I prefer to work with natural products such as wool, silk and cotton as the base fabric and use a range of light-fast, permanent dyes. I apply the dyes in various ways depending on the desired effect and there are a number of steps in the process of setting different dyes. Each piece is worked individually and no two creations are the same.

Flowerpot dyeing
A characteristic of my range of daywear/evening wear/sleepwear is that many are dyed around a flowerpot. I apply blocks of colour and then fold the garment in various ways and twist them and tie them around a terracotta pot and pour in cold water and boil them. The dyes merge creating blended colours and patterns that reflect the way the garment has been tied and twisted. The results are unique for each garment and it is very exciting to unveil them!

Learning techniques
If you would like learn any of these techniques, please view the workshops currently on offer at workshops and email me. If the dates don’t suit – email me and we can see if other days can be arranged.