It’s been pretty busy at my house lately but done or not I’ve dyed all the fabric, rinsed and washed it, and ironed it – I have no choice I’m on a plane to California right now. I believe I dyed over 100 yards in the last couple weeks – that’s a lot of ironing!!!

Actually since I really enjoy the process of creating, one of my favorite parts of hand dying is ironing. Being a self-described Serendipity Dyer, I have an idea what design the folding technique I use will result in but after adding many colors of dye simply based on my memory of the color wheel, once the colors all mingle and the dye water is a black shade from all of my magic potion mixing, I’m never sure what I’ll get.

Rinsing is the first surprise, but when the fabric is wet the dyes appear strong and vibrant, and I know washing dulls this down. Out of the dryer, I struggle to unravel a spaghetti mess of twisted and faded fabric (some of the pieces I dye are over 4 yards long). Spritzing the fabric with water both, tests color fastness and aids in removing the wrinkles – ironing is the grand unavailing. I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed ironing more! Hopefully quilter’s at Road to California will enjoy them just as much as I do by giving them a good home, then again it wouldn’t be too bad if a couple pieces stayed to live at my house. 😉