July 2015 - Jennifer Falkowski

Something Blue

July 25, 2015
by Jennifer

I had such a fun morning dyeing with brides to be Denise and Janny. It was a custom dye job but they did the dyeing. I just did the constant obsessive chatter about indigo.

Here’s the before picture. It’s a white linen skirt now…but not for long.

Into the vat to get green (bonus photo bomb by Brad the chicken)

Janny and Denise worked together because we are all suckers for romance.

Hard to tell from the shady picture but we’re watching it turn from green to blue.

They were very happy with the results. It’s super dark but will lighten up a couple of shades in the wash and will walk down the aisle in a couple of weeks.

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Olbrich Gardens Class

July 15, 2015
by Jennifer

The classes at Paradigm Gardens are going really well, they are super awesome to work with!

I have a Shibori Class coming up on the 16th of August at Paradigm that still has some room.

I won’t be offering an Indigo 101 Class there in August, though. It’s only because I’m teaching one at Olbrich Gardens. It’s a teeny bit cheaper, it’s a teeny bit shorter with a little less fabric available, and it’s a big bit more outside. It’ll be awesome and I hope you’ll sign up for it.

Shibori and Indigo Class Samples

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Here’s their class description:

“Shibori and Indigo Dyeing Workshop

Join Jennifer Falkowski for a hands-on exploration of making patterns on fabric using Shibori methods of dyeing with a natural indigo vat. Shibori is a Japanese process of tying, folding, and clamping fabric to create beautiful patterns when dyed. You will learn four different patterns and make four large coordinating indigo-dyed cloth napkins to take home. No dyeing experience necessary. Plan to get messy – wear old clothes and shoes and bring one pair of rubber gloves and a plastic bag for carrying your work home. All other materials provided. Class meets outdoors (rain date August 25). Adults and youth (ages 12 and up w/ an adult); each attendee pays the registration fee. Limited space; register early.

Tuesday, August 18 (rain date August 25), 6-8:30 pm

Registration Deadline: August 11

Cost: $78 per person | Course Number: 21-15″

and their registration form

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Yesterday was blue

July 13, 2015
by Jennifer

But, it was the good kind of blue. INDIGO, obv.

I had an Indigo 101 class at Paradigm Gardens and it was freakin’ awesome.

I always meet the most amazing and interesting people at my classes. We made the world pretty and bluer.

I’ll try not to overwhelm you with pictures.

Just kidding. I’m totally going to try to overwhelm you with pictures.

Because these are all so beautiful.

This becoming…

…this is not something you would want to miss.

And that kind of transformation happened a lot.

We named this guy Squidward.

He ended up being quite pretty.

Here’s just a bunch of beautiful work presented without (much) comment.

What’s that you say? There’s a surprising amount of green…

Well spotted. All this green turned blue when it oxidized. That’s just indigo’s way.

Here are all those greened up pieces after being in the air for a bit. The green bits all turn blue and all look gorgeous!

I’m kicking myself for not get a picture of this beautiful shawl after it oxidized. You’ll have to take my word for it, it’s stunning.

I did get a picture of this one and I’m blown away by how lovely it is.

The next classes are coming right up and if you’ve actually read this far, you’re hooked and should sign up as soon as you can! They are each $85…sort of.

This Sunday, July 19th is a Shibori only class. There won’t be any dyeing BUT we will focus on stitching, binding, clamping, folding and other assorted things to make beautiful patterns like the ones you’ve been shamelessly ogling above.

On Saturday, June 25th. I’ll have an Indigo 102 class. Welcome to anyone who has any experience dyeing. It’ll be $20 off if you’ve taken the Shibori classes on the 19th.

Call Paradigm Gardens at 608/241-3800 to sign up.

Call me at 608/852-3970 if you have questions about the classes.

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Arashi Process

July 6, 2015July 6, 2015
by Jennifer

Just a quick post to show the process of over-dying the Arashi piece I made. I’m not crazy about the finished piece but it was worth it to learn more about the process. I’m a totally junky for learning. That may be one of the reasons I like Shibori so much. It’s always different and it would take many lifetimes to master it.

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Arashi Again

July 5, 2015July 4, 2015
by Jennifer

This is the part of being obsessive that I love. I spent my July 4th holiday wrapping fabric around poles and then dyeing it in indigo. I can’t get enough of that arashi. There’s so much variation within this technique.

This is one that I wrapped, dyed, let dry on the pole, unwrapped, re-wrapped and over-dyed. Whew. I have to ask myself why. It’s ok and all but whatever. I don’t see the point in drying and then re-wrapping. I must be doin’ it rong.I won’t walk you through each one.Though I do love this skinny one. Fun to make, too.I did throw in some itajime. That’s the kind where you cover part of the fabric with blocks. One cannot live by arashi alone. Love this. Uneven pleats ftw!!Also cool, if I may say so myself. I accordion triangle folded it and then wrapped it. Even fancier than it soundsHell yes. 1/2 a yard of cotton looking fine!Another variation on willow pattern.Ok. So I guess I kinda did walk you through each one

But I did spend my day with them and perhaps I got attached.

Come and dye with me on Sunday, July 12 from 1 – 4 at Paradigm Gardens!!! Call them to register at 608/241-3800. That’s a week away. Holy Cats Time! Slow down!

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Arashi Explored

July 3, 2015July 2, 2015
by Jennifer

I really got excited about arashi shibori and made a bunch of scarves with this technique. Arashi means storm in Japanese and is made by wrapping the fabric around a pole before dyeing it. I want to try several different ways to make patterns with it.

This one was made with random pleats and no string at all!

Some with by putting the scarf on the pole horizontally. They’re still so different because it’s such a versatile technique.

Accordion folded and wrapped on a diagonal.

No string on these either but I put a rubber band at each end to hold it in place.

I couldn’t possible pick a favorite. I had so much fun making them all and they are all so beautiful.

This is my favorite kind of mess to be left with.

Something Blue

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Olbrich Gardens Class

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Yesterday was blue

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Arashi Process

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Arashi Again

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Arashi Explored

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Something Blue

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Olbrich Gardens Class

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Yesterday was blue

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Arashi Process

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Arashi Again

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Arashi Explored

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