Shibori Dyed Wool

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We have finally caught up enough on the “have to do right now” list for the house 

that I can go back to work in the studio.

 I love working with wool fabric - stitching, dyeing and felting but

 especially I like the Shibori stitched and dyed wool. 

Dyeing wool fabric this way is great for applique but not for rug hooking. 

Rug hooking needs only shading which is easier to dye for 

but Shibori stitched and dyed fabric has a wonderful patterning. 

It is a little more work since you have to hand stitch your fabric and 

draw it up before dyeing but it is not complicated.

Stitched and drawn up wool fabric before pouring on concentrated dye.

Then into a dye bath to add more color on top.

Pattern starts to emerge when cutting out the ties.

Wood grain patterning.

If you have never seen Shibori before or know what it is then 

do a Google search and you will be amazed at the possibilities in using this technique.

Making an oak tree using this type of dyed wool fabric has been in my mind for quite a while.

 I usually make very few sketches when planning a new sculpture. 

I like to cut out shapes and let forms evolve with each new piece

 and I make the technical parts up as I go along. 

I am not sure how my tree is going to turn out but then 

I am never sure of how any new piece will work.

 That is one of the reasons I don’t like showing work in progress. 

If it doesn’t work then no one but me knows! 

This time I think I will give you just a glimpse of my oak tree because 

so far I am very pleased with how it is progressing.

I am taking care of my grand dog Jack this week so it has been a good time to stitch on the tree while he sleeps on the rug beside me. 

Jack is a miniature Schnauzer and a very lazy old man.

Thanks to everyone who commented and offered encouragement on my last post.
It meant a lot to me and helped me to keep a positive attitude and hope for the future.
What ever that might turn out to be.