Virginia Art and Soul Workshops
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Joyce Vance 9-4:30 Saturday	1192 - Dyeing to Collage	[back to quicklinks] $ 110 Plus $10 materials fee
The morning will be spent learning how to dye cotton and silk fabric using a low immersion method and procion dyes to create unique fabrics that can be used as the background for collage as well as for collage elements. The dyeing method will produce rich, variegated colors. You will also dye fibers to use in your art. After dyeing, fabric is "surface designed" using paints and dyes. This is primarily a technique class and you will spend the majority of your time dyeing fabrics and embellishing them. The remainder of your time will be spent beginning to incorporate the fabrics with other elements to create a fabric collage. Using your own images printed out on fabric, paper, or transparencies, you will create a collage portrait using your dyed fabrics and trims, along with images and other elements. You can decide whether to make a stand alone fabric portrait collage or to design a fabric book. Participants will leave the class with extra fabrics & fibers to play with at home. ***Please note: Although the dyes we will be using are generally safe, it is important to wear a mask when they are being mixed. I will do most of the mixing in advance and have a brief demonstration for you. If you have asthma or other sensitivities, you might want to bring along a painter’s mask to wear for the demonstration. Supply List: For Dyeing 1. Undyed or PFD (prepared for dye) white or natural cotton fabrics, such as dyer’s cotton, kona cotton, muslin, and twill. Ten pieces approximately 10" square. Must be 100% cotton. 2. Natural, undyed ribbons, trims or flosses made of silk, cotton, rayon or linen. Please note that the dyes we are using will not work on acrylic, nylon, or other man made fibers. 3. Five plastic tupperware tubs, leftover butter tubs, etc. in very small sizes. You can use ziploc bags, in a pinch. Please feel free to contact me if you having any difficulty deciding what to use. 4. A dust mask, apron, and rubber gloves. 5. Plastic covering for your workspace (large trash bags) and a towel. 6. An iron – anything from full size to travel to a clover iron. I will bring several as well. (please, NOT from your hotel room) For Surface Designing  1 Rubber Stamp Pads for Fabric (Fabrico, Brilliance, etc.) and Fabric Paints (Lumiere and Setacolor are two I love). Bring what you have on hand and I will bring some we can all share. 2. Rubber stamps & stencils. Bold rubber stamps, especially handcarved shapes work well for this. Fine-lined designs will not print well on fabric. An alphabet set may come in handy. I will bring along some of my favorites as well. 3. White Gesso and Gel or Matte Medium. 4. Wide Masking Tape. For Collage 1. Images printed on fabric, paper, or transparency, suitable to work on an 8" square surface. These can be pre-purchased fabric sheets or your own images. I will have a stash of images you can use as well. Color, sepia, and black and white are all good choices. 2. Ephemera or embellishments for your collage, such as button, vintage findings, bits of lace, small pieces of fabric, etc. Words printed out on fabric are helpful too. 3. Heavy needle and thread for hand sewing. Metallic thread can be fun too. 4.Aileen’s ok to wash it glue (or other glue suitable for fabric) and or steam-a-steam, stitch witchery or a similar product to use in adhering your collage elements. 5. Batting – either a few 10" squares or a large sheet. 6. Heavy Fabric Sheers and/or Pinking Sheers. Optional Supplies: A full sized or mini-sewing machine can be utilized in this class, but is not required. I will bring at least one mini along. Plastic pour or squirt top bottles or measuring cups that will no longer be used with food. Please contact me at joyce@ellliebelly.com if you have any questions about suitable images or finding needed supplies. I will link to suggestions for places to purchase class supplies on my blog at http://joycevance.typepad.com Materials fee includes: dyes & dyeing supplies, additional fabric, surface designing supplies, and fabric images. CLOSED - CLASS FULL

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