Summer Rubies; naturally dyed & embellished clutches

Giant garden fresh beets,

too big to eat,

from the dirt to the juicer

I prefer juicing beets in preparation for natural

dye bath, so they can be used for both drinking &

dying. (and its messy, ill take any reason to dirty

&stain my hands) I learned that freshly cut &

chopped rhubarb leaves can be used as a natural

mordant, six large leaves were prepared then

added to the dye bath. Three yards of cotton

wound, bound & twisted tightly, a technique

known as SHIBORI, soaks in the beets bath for

twelve hours to create light variations in the

already dyed cotton.

note: i've never dyed with beets or rhubarb, and was expecting for a richer color one more true to the

red or pink seen in beets; the cloth came out almost as toasted almond, with darker streaks striking

through the cloth from the shibori.

Once dyed, cleaned & dried, I cut the one yard into 8 x 9 inches rectangles; these pieces are for the

outside of the clutches. With cotton embroidery thread I stitch the fabric creating depth, texture &

greater variation for each clutch. I've always inspired by BORO CLOTH, a traditional Japanese

technique where textile scraps are stitched together creating a greater whole with rich patterning

formed by the color changes in the fabric layered with the stitching, and I looked for other types of

traditional techniques that could alter a fabrics identity. Used to reinforce & add beauty to fabric,

Japanese SASHIKO stitching amplifies the quality & life of a textile or product through tactility

alone.

*Please click on the very first image in the post for a great website source (if your not into books) that gives a

deeper look into traditional & historic Japanese techniques that were utilized in making these clutches. Shibori,

sashiko are amazing techniques to bring life back to a piece of fabric that you might need a reason to love again!

Transparent Process