Eco prints and Lagen look

The past two weeks I have spent some time eco printing on cotton and linen.  The process is different than silk and wool.  I wanted to challenge myself because I was going to attend a a three day workshop called "Cut Up Your Closet" by Kim Sherrod aka Calamity Kim.    In the workshop we were to purchase thrift store clothing and cut them up into a dress.  Well .... if anyone knows me, I don't seem to follow directions very well.  I want to do my own thing.  I wanted to print my fabric and use my fabrics.  I did purchase a lot of thrift store garments and printed on them so I was not too far off the class plan!   Fortunately, Kim is a great mentor to spark creativity and she had no problem with me taking the workshop and doing my own thing!  Kim loved the eco prints and was awaiting the product.

I decided to make a Lagenlook top and a skirt before the class began. I was unsure that a gored skirt would fit with the loose top style, but I think it worked.  The natural prints with that styling seemed quite appropriate.  I had no pattern, but I am pretty good at drafting and fitting. After all it is Langenlook and not meant to fit but to drape.   I had a lovely assortment of fabrics in which I could chose from.  It was just a matter of putting them all together.

I liked the idea of two pieces.  They can be worn together or they can be worn as separates.  I have other eco print scarves and wraps in which to mix and match.  For the top I wanted to keep everything linen and cotton but needed to add a few more pieces to complete the design which ended up being silk.

Here are some close up shots of the patterns.  Note that I used a sleeve in a panel to hang of the back of the skirt.  The front skirt closure is the button front placket of a shirt.

I was able to print designs such as dots and lines with the plant materials and I liked that control.

Above is a close up of an eco printed lace inset that I used around the hemline.

I am very pleased with my skirt and top.  They are summer weight and will be fun to wear.

Happy Memorial Day to all.  I do have my eBooks on sale this holiday weekend through Monday.  They are $5 off for both books.  Do stop by and take a look.  https://www.kathyhaysdesigns.com

Bundles and Bundles and Bundles

This coming weekend I will attend a workshop called "Cut Up Your Closet" by Kim Sherrod.  aka Calamity Kim.  The focus of the workshop is to use thrift store clothing, cut them up and make a new dress.  While my taste in fashion has changed since I was 25 years old, but I am up for this wild and crazy challenge  I doubt I ever wear this creation, but it is the creative exercise I find rewarding.  I am all about process and not product.

To put me up for this challenge weekend I decided this would be a perfect time to cut up some old eco printed items plus add to the stash.  I have spent the past few days making bundles for eco print.

The above pictures will work nicely together, but I have some other prints and shades of color that are seen below.  

I was able to achieve color on a shirt and that might be interesting to use.

Below you will see pieces of lace that have been eco printed and dyed.  As you can see, I have many items to choose from.

Here is the challenge though: (and one I look forward) how will all the prints come together?  Yes they are from nature and have a similar tones, but will they look nice together?  Right now there are many pieces to a puzzle that need to fit in some fashionable way.

I have eco dyed extra fabrics and I have more prints waiting to be unveiled.  This is quite the mystery. This will be quite the challenge.  I will post my progress and my results next week!

On another note, the ebook sales are steady.  I know I will write more design information later in the year, but right now I am eco printing and dyeing while the temperatures are tolerable and an abundance of foliage in which to gather.  Designs using felt is something that is at play in the back of my mind at all times.  If you are interested in purchasing my Ebooks please see my website at https://www.kathyhaysdesigns.com

And some final words of the day.  I lost my special little dog this morning.  This was quite abrupt and a difficult 5 hours.  But dear sweet Bayleigh has crossed the rainbow bridge to join all those other well loved pets.  She is in good company.  And to keep my sorrow from lingering I plan to jump in to the "Cut Up Your Closet Workshop" with full creative engagement.