Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Velveteen Shibori

I saw some velveteen shibori pillows in a catalog recently at a very high price. I thought they were gorgeous and also thought that I could make them. I like to do shibori and dyeing and have done a fair amount, but never on velveteen. I ordered the fabric from Dharma Trading and I finally got around to trying it. I would like to make some big pillows for my sister's white couches in her new home and they have to be fairly large, about 20" square.

I thought I'd better do some samples on smaller pieces before tackling the big job, so I made three pieces about 16" square. I cut them a bit larger, allowing for shrinkage. They didn't shrink much, but there was a lot of fraying.

Here are the results.



This one was the easiest to do. I accordion pleated it and then clamped it in six rows with plastic clothespins.



This was the hardest to do because it took six rows of hand stitching, which were then pulled tightly and knotted. A very subtle look, much more subtle than if I had done it on plain cotton.




This one was accordion pleated in two directions then clamped using metal canning jar lids and C-clamps.  I was able to get a very tight clamp, thus the stark white circles. Not sure if I like this for a pillow. Of course they will look different and better when rounded out on a pillow form.

The velveteen was very easy to work with, unlike velvet. I could steam press it on the wrong side with no ill affects. My sister's couches are actually off-white, so I'm not sure how these will look. I don't think I want to dye the fabric first, but that is a possibility. 

Next is what can happen if you buy cheap rubber gloves at the dollar store. Don't, I repeat DON'T use them when dyeing fabric.



There must have been a hole in one of the fingers. This picture is after scrubbing with some scouring powder. It was pure navy blue when I first took off the glove.



Palm side, also after some scouring. I know that it will eventually wear off in a couple of days, but I certainly have learned a lesson. Ah, how were suffer for our art!


6 comments:

Shannon said...

So sorry you dyed your hand! Hopefully it will come off soon. I love your shibori effect, it'll make great luxurious pillows! What was the fiber content of your velveteen? I love the idea of doing this. I just inherited a ton of velvet from an elderly friend, but I'm afraid it's all polyester. I'd love to dye or overdye it because the fabric is rich but the color is flat, but I don't know if there's anything I can do with polyester.

Linda M said...

I've had the same problem with dollar store gloves! The velveteen looks great.

Unknown said...

Dharma Trading Company has a special, gritty cleaner for removing dye from hands. Love the effects you got dyeing.

quiltedfabricart said...

I had no idea you could dye velveteen - the pillows will be gorgeous!

The Inside Stori said...

Your post was soooo timely. I was digging out some fabric to bring to our next Fiber Junkies meeting where the 6 of us colaborate and give voice to what techniques/attentions/treatment for fabric or projects that each of us bring. One item I pulled out what a large piece of velveteen that I had ice dyed.... Pillows......why hadn't I thought of using it for pillow?!? Thank you for the idea!!

Heather Pregger said...

I love your velveteen shibori! The blue hands are only a temporary set back...I always manage to dye myself but it always comes off after a day or two...