Dyeing

Today my friend Colleen and I dyed some wool and fabric swatches. We dyed with the Indian spice, turmeric, walnuts, tea, and cochineal bugs. It was a long process and it made my apartment smell very interesting, not in a good way.

Our results were very successful.

Bamboo!

I found this swatch of woven bamboo fibers! It's so cool, but this is a very rough swatch... so it would probably not be very comfortable. But you can buy finer woven bamboos that are really comfortable, they feel like cotton.

Reused Plastic

I just read in Vogue about how Marni created necklaces for their past Spring/Summer collection using parts made from recycled plastic bottles.

This reminds me of a project I did my freshmen year at Parsons. The assignment was to make a headpiece that reflected a culture. I made a head mask in the style of Amazonian tribes. Here is a picture.

Coffe Dyeing

A very easy way to dye or fade something is with coffee and tea. Depending on the intensity you want you simple just dilute the coffee or tea with water.Here is an example of coffee dyeing the legs of muslin pants.

Spinning Yarn Video

Here is a video from youtube that can help to teach spinning.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gXTWgMeMgI

Spinning Yarn

My friend Colleen is a NYC Designer and she sometimes spins her own yarn. This allows her to use wool roving and other found fibers and threads and customize the yarns that she makes. It is a very difficult process until you get the hang of it. She uses a 2" Hi-Lo Drop Spindle.



She uses wool roving that she buys online from The Yarn Tree in Brooklyn at 347 Bedford Ave. off the L train, you can also buy a drop spindle here
http://theyarntree.com
or
from Morehouse Farm in upstate New York
http://www.MorehouseFarm.com/

Natural Dyeing by Jackie Crook

Rachel recommends this book to help guide you through the steps of natural dyeing.

Here is a link to buy it on Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Natural-Dyeing-Jackie-Crook/dp/1600592228

Independent Designer Rachel

Rachel is an independent designer and former Parsons the New School for Design student who designs with more sustainable practices in mind. The majority of Rachel's fabrics and trims are either organic or vintage. Rachel works on her pieces in her apartment/studio in the Lower East Side. Rachel graduated from school last spring and has been working on her collection since then.
Rachel uses organic dye methods to achieve unique colors and patternsMany garments are finished with handmade embroideries and painted details. Rachel's mother is an artist and collaborates with her on many projects.

Rachel buys her natural dye materials at The Yarn Tree off Bedford Ave in Williamsburg, Bk
http://theyarntree.com/

In the city Rachels buys some of her organic fabrics at Mood on 37th St. Between 7th and 8th Ave or at C & J Textiles at 230 38th St. 7th floor, but for more variety and selection she buys online at http://www.nearseanaturals.com/