It’s been awhile…

| JP Dawes Artist

….since I was inspired to work on new pieces.   I haven’t really figured out what the road block to my creativity has been, I just know that I haven’t been inspired to work!  So I thought I needed to get back to some basics. I worked on  a couple of UFO’s and they are nearly completed and up on the design wall in the studio waiting for quilting.  They will get further along next week for sure.  But, I still was in a creative funk. What I do should NOT be work.

Then a couple of things happened a few days ago.  I unearthed a treasure of a 221K machine at Goodwill. For those who aren’t machine aficionados, that is known as a Singer Featherweight. And it is white, or as my friend Marie said, glowy green.  After getting it cleaned, oiled and adjusted I became obsessed with making something! Ron said if he knew $8 (the cost of the machine) would do that he would have given me $8 sooner! Such a kidder…eye roll!

The second thing that happened was I found  fat quarters and 1/2 yd cuts of some fantastic fabrics at the Humane Society Thrift shop.  They spoke to me. And they are all fused up waiting to be cut for a special landscape quilt. I am excited! I think I may have my mojo back!

ice fabric

My new love affair

| JP Dawes Artist

My new love affair is with a gadget. Quilters love gadgets, artists love gadgets and gadgets can be pretty pricey. So  I usually stay away from them.  I finally bit the bullet and bought a new gadget.

It is for my mid-arm machine. That awful thing that I swore would not beat me. I have modified it and can quilt on it…..sometimes. Then I bought a Towa bobbin gauge. I looked at these for a few years. It finally dawned on me that you NEVER see a used one for sale. Huh. Must be a reason for that, right? Sort of like your favorite pair of scissors that you would never part with.  So I bought one with birthday money from my dad. Thank you, thank you, thank you Daddy!

Here are some pictures of a test I did on my sample piece. I used a prewound bobbin and set the tension for Sofine. Perfect stitches on the swirls you see. Then I wanted to try Star cotton. Mind you, I have NEVER EVER been able to use any cotton thread in this machine.  First I just changed thread and that is the mess of eyelashes you see. Then I reset the bobbin tension for the thread….and got perfect or near perfect stitches.  I could kick myself for not buying this sooner!

Sunshine from Garden Marigolds

| JP Dawes Artist

I think I struck gold! Extracting the dye from dried marigolds couldn’t have been easier. Simply put them into a jar and cover with water. There is almost immediate color. The problem was that in all my resource materials the only marigold dye recipe I found was for fresh petals. So as is common for me, it was a seat of the pants moment.

I soaked 50 grams of dried petals overnight. Then I drained them, reserving the liquid gold. I put the soaked petals into a large crockpot  and simmered on low setting for 2 hours. Some natural dyes tend to go brown if the heat is too high so I use my crockpot in the studio to keep the heat low and constant.

extracting dye

 I love the variation of colors from the dye pot. The lemon yellow silks are a ray of sunshine. The indigo pieces that were over-dyed got some much needed zip.  The eco-printed long sleeved tee looks amazing and I love the splash of color added to the linen scarves. There was a lot of color changed on the indigo scarf, but not as much on the logwood.   I think they are all keepers. The bonus is that I still have 2 quarts of dye extract. I will have to figure out a WOF (weight of fabric) recipe for fellow dyers who like things more exact!

Harvesting Summer Gold

| JP Dawes Artist

 

By the end of autumn, my marigolds were in over drive. Yellow ones, orange ones and red/orange ones.  A bucket over my arm and fingers ready to pinch there lovely heads off was all I needed. They dried all winter and with dyeing season coming into full swing, it was time to see what these would do, but first the petals had to be separated from the sepal and the receptacle. But never fear, nothing is going to waste.

The sepals when soaked overnight in a pot yielded a soft yellow after a little alum was added. I was surprised! I might have been able to leave them all attached but would not want to dilute the strength of the final marigold dye bath.

Next up, results!

Pennywinkle Ranch Sunshine Quilting Machines, Help is HERE.

| JP Dawes Artist

If you have a mid-arm or long-arm quilting machine from this manufacturer and need help, please join my group on Facebook,  Sunshine Machine Owners Only. Search for the group at the top left search box. You will have to ask to join the group.

I started the group because of all the problems I hear of  from people who, like me, bought this machine. Another person and I have worked hard to solve all the tension problems reported by owners.  Join us and be on the road to being able to finally use this beast you purchased.