waiting for spring

Indigo detail

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

I am waiting for spring, but before it arrives, I would love a little winter. All we’ve had is a feint suggestion and it continues to be that way. Still, I can’t help but look ahead.

I know I wrote much earlier, about my indigo plants, wondering what to do with them over the winter – I did finally, last month, cut them back. Only one made it indoors where I sat it in the sun and ignored it. It’s coming back with healthy green leaves. So, I’m thinking about this coming spring and planting more seeds…more plants…more indigo.

hand stitching

top stitching

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

It’s not that I don’t work by hand, I do most of the time. It doesn’t reveal itself though, as most of what I do is pulled out.

On this piece, I’m simply enjoying the aspect of stitching- knowing it’s going to stay – pulling a strong, thick thread through the woven linen fibers. I like the feel of it and it’s calming.

The fabric is hand dyed linen – varying shades of indigo.

Blue bacon gloves

Blue baconOriginally uploaded by SOFennell

It’s a good thing I had some reservations about this. I didn’t expect them to dry so quickly though. This morning they were brittle. It was to be expected, but I didn’t know…just didn’t anticipate it.

“Wiki” offers these helpful lines, although, I don’t know how these gloves were treated. Still, I get it. “Vegetable-tanned leather is not stable in water; it tends to discolor, and if left to soak and then dry it will shrink and become less supple and harder. In hot water, it will shrink drastically and partly gelatinize, becoming rigid and eventually brittle. Boiled leather is an example of this, where the leather has been hardened by being immersed in hot water, or in boiled wax or similar substances. “

I did get that gelatin sensation after dipping them many times over, even though the vat wasn’t hot (it was warm though). I’ve been massaging one with olive oil and while it may help…it may not be sufficient. I might be able to rescue them for another different project…I’m not sure where things will go from here. The shibori worked though.

indigo on leather

indigo on leather

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

The gloves are part of a project and the idea of dyeing my pair in indigo was probably the most logical idea. So, I’ve worked them in shibori and now they’re drying. I don’t know if the dye will really take, but it should. They’re soaked through, though. It will be days at least before they’re dry.

That was just a little of today’s “call” of the dye. The weather was mild, although it rained all day. Again, not ideal for the vat, but it had to be done. I had a project to complete and working in milder temps made the job easier.

Gregg Exhibit

Agbada robe

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

Barkcloth, Bras, and Bulletproof Cotton: The Powers of Costume finally opened at the Gregg Museum last night.  I went with my posse to celebrate, as one of our group, Janine LeBlanc, was the curator, as well as the museum staff.

I wouldn’t know where to begin, as there is so much to see – costumes in so many contexts. It will require at least another visit or two to really see it. It was a visual feast and I could only begin to look last night.

Then, across the way is Textiles of Exile, curated by Molly Johnson Martine, Precious Lovell and the museum staff. Again, here too, there was barely enough time to take in the stories and descriptions behind these richly embroidered pieces. They deserve much more consideration.

Another thought that just came to mind…a friend mentioned a relationship between an embroidery pattern on this Nigerian Agbada and a piece in Textiles of Exile.

What mild weather brings

Habotai scarvesOriginally uploaded by SOFennell

The temps spiked again, so it was good to be outdoors. It turned out to be very grey and blustery, signaling a front moving in, I suppose.

The Habotai scarves, a custom order catch the spirit of the day. The wind caught them and would have sent them sailing if I hadn’t used clothespins on the line.

I’m not quite sure the color is realistic, silk is so reflective, as is hand-dipped indigo. There’s nothing quite like it.

The vat

The vat

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

I’m heating it up again this morning and hope it will “cooperate” as the temps are not really suited. However, it’s the warmest it’s going to be for at least a week or more. Today’s temps will be in the low 60s, but even now, with the sun, it feels quite tolerable. I hope the vat feels the same.

A custom job awaits, so I want to take advantage of this good weather. It could take a few weeks to actually complete things.

In the meantime, I’m like the vat – taking it slow and tentative. I’m easing into this new year. A virus or something similar knocked me flat for at least a week over the holidays so my energy level isn’t back to normal yet. It’s time, though, to begin work and this project will help.

Beginnings & Endings

Beginnings & Endings

Originally uploaded by

SOFennell

Well, we are at that point where we say good-bye to one year and look forward to fresh beginnings. I had some of this in mind when I created this piece much earlier in the year. I was being playful (I hope) with the imagery and as usual was being experimental, not sure how the indigo would take on the silk noil.

As far as the theme, rabbits & moons, it’s ancient and it’s also a favorite. I’m sure I’ll be returning to it many times over. There are other contexts, not just the one.

As far as the Year of Rabbit, I had good feelings about it as it began. ’The Rabbit’ was kind and it has been an extraordinary one in many respects. I am very grateful, though, to my family, my posse (Threads), customers, the arts communities, Japan Center, Raleigh Denim and many others who have played a part supporting this maker, dyer….lover of indigo.

In terms of “that” dye, the color, pigment, product (whatever it is), it has been a grand year, as far as I’m concerned. It has been lots of fun and look forward to more experimentation and magic in the next.

　　　　　　　　開けましておめでとうございます！

　　　　　　　　Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu!

                         Congratulations in the opening of this New Year!

Wonder

From an exhibit of drawings by Marvin J. Malecha currently on display at the D. H. Hill Library at NC State.  It shows until the end of the month…I happened on the site today and the words just worked.

Mochi tsuki

Mochi tsuki 2

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

“Mochi” is the special pounded rice or rice cake made in preparation for the New Year. “Tsukuru” is the verb for making, in this case “making or pounding ‘mochi.’

I missed the event last year and regretted it, so this year I really wanted to attend. It makes the holiday, as far as I’m concerned – just personal.

I love the taste of fresh mochi and then, have such good memories of “zenzai.” It isn’t an everyday event.