Tag Archives: hand dyed fabric

snow day

Our winters are mild, so snow days are a novelty. This week I took advantage of a sunny morning and a lovely, snowy backdrop to take a few quilt photos.

hand quilted by Marla Varner, penny lane quilts
Zig Zag Chevron (HSTs from charm squares, hand quilted)

One of my goals for 2017 is to improve my photography skills. Of course, this means learning how to use editing software. I’m trying to check out some of those helpful tutorials in the process.

blue and green baby quilt by Marla Varner, penny lane quilts
My first finish of 2017: baby quilt made from charm squares + a wonky star

The photo pictured above was edited for Instagram using a mobile app.

Hourglass Bedazzled by Marla Varner, penny lane quilts
Hourglass Bedazzled, improv piecing, hand dyed fabrics, machine quilted

This quilt was the last one I completed in 2016. It is my most complex quilt to date that uses improvisational piecing, and I hand dyed all of the fabrics. I don’t think I ever properly documented it, but a few photos appeared on Instagram during the months that it was in process.

On another note, QuiltCon is right around the corner! Our newspaper, the Sequim Gazette, was kind enough to write an article about the local quilters who will have quilts in Savannah. They even sent a photographer out to capture me in my own environment. Those of you who are curious and  have bugged encouraged me to include photos of myself on this site, can check it out.

It is snowing again today, so I’m off to curl up with a cup of tea and some hand quilting.  I’m on the home stretch quilting the mini for my partner in the MQG swap.

 

 

summer dyed

Our weather  has been perfect for dyeing fabric! Here are a few photos to share  from some recent dyeing sessions.

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First, the fabric is “scoured” by washing in warm water with soda ash and Synthrapol. It is then dried in the dryer.
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It’s helpful to refer back to notes from previous sessions.
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A journal (complete with fabric swatches) helps to inform choices for new color experiments.
A dust mask and rubber gloves are necessary safety precautions.
A dust mask and rubber gloves are necessary safety precautions.
Some beautiful fabrics waiting for the soda ash fixative to be added.
Some beautiful fabrics are waiting for the soda ash fixative to be added.
Each pie was placed in a plastic bag while it cured.
Each piece was placed in a plastic bag while it cured.
These fabrics were first rinsed outdoors in cold water to get most of the excess dye removed.
These fabrics were first rinsed outdoors in cold water to get most of the excess dye removed.
Then they were given another rinse indoors with hot water.
Then they were given another rinse indoors with hot water.
Ready for the final wash and rinse in the machine, adding Synthrapol to remove excess dye.
The final wash and rinse is in the machine, adding Synthrapol to remove excess dye.

And what could be more fun than sharing the experience with great friends?

I can’t wait to see what everyone creates with their new fabric choices!

introducing: penny lane quilts

Welcome to penny lane quilts, where I’ll share my creative process and give you a peek inside my studio.

I love piecing on vintage machines,

1946 electric Singer 201

cutting fabric into little pieces,

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hand quilting,

varner.marla.Coral Reef. detail

and looking out my window.

the view out my window

If you find something that interests you, I hope  you’ll stop by often and leave a comment now and then.