It is always a surprise when i slosh the 4 hour spent dye away down the plug hole, sitting at the bottom of my black rubber bucket is a soggy mass of deliciousness, even after years of "dying" am always pleasantly surprised.
I know there are some who would never entertain, treating such pieces of needlework in such a brutish manner, but i think it only adds to the luxury of a time worn piece such as this table cloth, give it a go it is easy peasy and really good fun...
I couldn't agree more! It always seems like hours, waiting for the dye to finish so I can see what's happened to the fabric I've put in there. Antique fabrics dye really well, and they leave little mottly patches where something has happened to stain the cloth- to me that's like the dye revealing secret histories...a spilled cup of tea, or a favourite vase that leaks.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind dyeing these things- unless it's a particularly spectacular and perfect-condition piece, there's really sooooo much whitework in the world that we can afford to lose a few pieces to the dye pot- or the needle!