Lace Dyeing Fun!

For the first time in a long time, I have a week at home! While I miss heading to Colorado to see the family, I'm enjoying some other pursuits instead! At the CQI retreat in September, one of the things I really enjoyed was learning how to dye lace using alcohol inks. Since I already had quite a few for scrapbooking as well as an assortment of white venice type lace, I thought I'd have fun with it and see if I couldn't make some of these lace pieces more usable for crazy quilting.

Shades of purple
Using inexpensive paintbrushes and watercolor pans for the ink makes it so much easier to do these! I love how the colors blend into one another. Using four colors of green helped add interest to the foliage.

Autumn colors
IMG_4087
I even strayed into territory I'm not always comfortable with... using shades of yellow and orange, in order to create some autumn themed lace.

Shades of blue, purple and green
But it's these blue and green laces that are my favorite!

Lace Dying Fun!
As you can tell, I ended up straying from my usual palette of pale subdued colors into a much brighter place! It has been cold and drippy outside, with little sunshine, so working with these bright colors was a lift to my spirits!

Comments

Anonymous said…
I keep trying to think of new words to describe your great ideas and wonderful work. The lace you have died is so interesting. The color brings out the patterns in the lace and the orange/yellow reminded me of summer mellon but fall is there too:) Have a wonderful Christmas and a Peaceful 2011. Mary
Leeanne said…
Ditto to the above comment!
Anonymous said…
All of these dyed lace piece are so beautiful! What a wonderful way to spend the day.
Lynn S. said…
I too have several of these types of ink. I am so glad you tried this and shared it with us all. I"l be trying some of my own this weekend now as well! Great idea!
Terri said…
Oh, these are gorgeous! Is there a tutorial for this online anywhere? I'd love to try it myself sometime.
Cathy said…
As usual, you not only do everything well, but you do it beautifully and with flair! Your laces are scrumptious!! And what a smart way to bring the sunshine INSIDE! May your Christmas be warm and wonderful. Hugs, Cathy
Gerry Krueger said…
Boy you are out of your box with these colors but they are gorgeous... I'm about to dye some too if I can get a day home but mine will be somber to match my mood.... Love your new header..

Gerry K.
Laurie said…
I really need to try this, your laces are beautiful!!!
Susan Elliott said…
oooohhh!! LOVE the blog header!!!

And those laces look much better after you sprinkled them with your magic. Lovely...bright....roses....
Unknown said…
I know of alcohol inks but have never heard of using them to paint lace! What a beautiful idea--I love it!
Rachel said…
Delightful! A great antidote to cold grey weather...
allie aller said…
Wow, those inks give really vivid color! I'm going to have to track some of those down.
Love your new palette!
Whitelily said…
Your dyed lace is very beautiful!! I am going to look for a tutorial and dye some for myself!
Donna
Lorraine said…
These turned out beautifully! Am going to have to give this a go!
Anonymous said…
Beautiful!! My sister-in-law gave me a LOT of lace and am looking for ways to use it. Most is white or cream colored. Can't wait to try this technique!
artbox said…
What was the content of the laces you used, WOW beautiful results!!! Cotton? or Poly blend? also, did you use anything to set the colors? heat or soda ash? I have acrylic, and watercolor at my disposal, but the inks look, quite yummy too! What brand did you use? OK... that was a lot of questions. Have a great time at home, and when you get to Colorado!

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