PEN's DYEING DEMO - ONION SKIN AND MARBLING

Early morning, on January 13th, the ladies of Women Matters received an urgent plea from our dear friend and 'demonstrator of the month',  requesting that we go on a search for every bit of onion skins that we could find.  Apparently her 'supplier' had left the country, on a quest for hooking knowledge

and Pen didn't have one onion skin for her demonstration.  The ladies came through in good form and before long, Pen had "onion skins coming out of my 'ying yang' ".

In preparation for the onion skin dyeing, Pen showed us how to layer the fabric, onion skins and salt; fabric, onion skins, and salt and so on, in a pan or dish. Pen used an old, metal crisper, that she had found at a Good Will store.  'Now you fill the pan up with water; enough to cover the layers.'   Water?  Did Pen say water?  Who would have guessed that the water was turned off due to some construction work at the Library?  Not a problem;  the construction workers ran off enough water in a pot, so that Pen could proceed with the demo. We all had a good laugh and Pen remained totally unruffled (as only Pen could do).  

 Here are the results of the onion skin dyeing.  Four fabrics were dyed.  From left to right; the dyed results to the left of the original green/beige/white plaid fabric,  the dyed results to the left of original mauve plaid, results to left of the original pink fabric, and the results to left of the original purple fabric.

Time for the marbling demo.  Pen showed us how to layer the fabric, then we twisted and tied the fabric and placed it carefully in the pot, with a 'glug' of Tide and enough water to cover the fabric.  Oh no!   We're told it could be atleast 1/2 hour before we have more water.   In time, we heard that welcome 'gurgle' of water and Pen was able to finish her dyeing demo.  At the end of day, we were in total 'awe' with the beautifully dyed fabric.   We've all been motivated to go home and put this knowledge to work and be creative with our own fabrics.

Here are the results of the marbling demo. Once again, the dyed wool is to the immediate left of the original wool fabric.

Here are pics of the dyed fabrics in all their glory.

Thank you Pen,  for a wonderful demonstration and a fun filled day.

We enjoyed lots of laughs and Pen was so gracious and accomodating, amidst all the adversaries.   

Judy P.