Neutral Territory: 50 Shades of Gray & 50 Shades of Brown

Carol Soderlund | May 25-29, 2015

DESCRIPTION
Have you been frustrated when the dye houses discontinue one of your favorite black dyes? Do you sigh in frustration, because all the samples you have developed with these dye go out the window?

Learn about making your own black mixes from the pure primary dyes. We will create the ever elusive:

In addition the class will cover creation of many neutral studies - tans, browns, gray-blues, gray-reds, and other chromatic grays. Think of the palest alabaster to inky night sky - all values ranges will be examined. Taupes and tans can be fascinating as well - ecru, heath, titanium, putty, and driftwood. Sharing our results, we will compile a large reference book - our own 50 Shades of Gray will just be the beginning of our explorations in Neutral Territory, as we cross into 50 Shades of Brown as well.

From shibori to screen printing, neutrals pose their own unique dye challenges and opportunities. We will examine the particular tricks and tips for dyeing neutrals when using immersion, low water immersion, and thickened dye applications.

As time allows, interested students may also pursue discharge studies.
When the subtleties and color shifts of discharge are added to the mix, possibilities explode!

Consideration of the evocative nature of neutral color, and ideas of combining neutrals with punchy colors will be discussed. From subtle atmosphere to dramatic moodiness, the range of expressiveness with neutrals is limitless.

SUPPLY LIST (Please label your own supplies)

FABRIC/FIBERS:
• 5 yards fabric for further dye explorations
PFD (prepared for dyeing) fabric recommended. In addition to cotton, you may bring some silk, rayon, linen or tencel. Email Carol if you would like a more detailed explanation of pfd fabrics and where to purchase them.
• Note to weavers: It is fine if you would like to bring some skeined yarns for dyeing: cotton, linen, rayon, tencel, or silk
• Optional: samples of your dyed fabric and/or photos of your work

OFFICE SUPPLIES:
• notebook for notetaking and a pen
• pencil with a working eraser or a separate eraser
• three-ring binder: 1” thick
• 100 CLEAR page protectors (buy in bulk at office supply store) - do not buy those that have holes through the main section of the page protector. You want the ones with holes through the a band on the margin.
• Scotch double sided tape 1/2” wide - enough to total 50 yards of tape
• masking tape
• stapler plus extra staples
• 20 rubber bands
• black Sharpie (permanent marker)
• calculator

CUTTING TOOLS:
• small pair scissors for paper and one for fabric
• rotary cutter - bring a fresh straight blade as you will cut through numerous layers at once. The large (60 mm) cutters work the best for this. The 45 mm cutters can work but you must have arm strength.
• rotary cutting mat - 11” x 17” or larger
• Quilter’s plexiglas ruler - 6” x 12” is suggested size. Must be at least 12” long
• Optional: June Tailor Shape Cut ruler - the large size
This is particularly good for weavers and those inexperienced in rotary cutting. Sign up for JoAnn’s newsletters and they will send you 40% off coupons. The Shape Cut Ruler WILL NOT WORK for this class UNLESS you have the 60 mm cutter, because of the number of layers we cut.

PLASTIC CONTAINERS: If you are flying, these items can be obtained at the grocery store after arriving. Check with me first, because there may be extra supplies of these avaiable.
• 15 plastic party cups and 10 plastic picnic spoons - 16 oz. clear cups are nice, but the red Solo cups are fine
• plexiglass sheet - 1/8" thick by 11" x 14" or 12" x 12", available at home centers or glass shops

OTHER ITEMS:
• Iron and ironing pad, or old terry towel - if you are driving
• adhesive lint roller from the dollar store
• rubber gloves - both the loose dishwashing kind that extend up the arm, and the close-fitting latex or nitrile kind
• one roll paper towels, and one old towel for wiping spills - if you are driving
• two 3-5 gallon buckets - if you are driving
• one large strong plastic spoon - at least 12” long - straight, not bent is better
• one box of one gallon ziploc bags
• acid gas respirator if you are interested in discharge work
• apron or old clothes
• one pvc pole for shibori - optional: 2 feet recommended, but no longer than 3 feet long
• one thermofax screen - optional, if you are interested in thickened work
• graduated cylinders - if you have some from previous classes, bring your 10, 50 and 100 ml cylinders. I will bring extra cylinders to share.


MATERIALS FEE PROVIDES:
The materials fee covers all the dyes and necessary chemicals, handouts and swatchbook pages, and all the fabric necessary for the sample book. Carol will bring a variety of other equipment to use in class.

If you have any questions about the materials list or the course in general, please > email Carol

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