Now that my palette is full of rich and beautiful fabrics I have to make choices. Which work together? Which fabrics support each other without conflicting? Which work within the confines of the available space and give to each other without taking away? And simply, which fit?

Here are some photos of the fabrics I’m considering for the next set of finished pieces.

I’m sending a bunch of pieces back to the dye pot to get one more layer of color before I start the final push of constructing the rest of the pieces for my show. This photo is of a number of pieces that were all overdyed with shades of Burnt Orange.

There’s a big batch of mixed colors and fabrics in the dryer right now. I also dyed about 18 yards of muslin for the interiors of the pieces I’m making for the March show. I’ll overdye more today and then I should be finished with dyeing for a while.

Overdyeing is always a risk–I’ve made some bad choices before–but most often the fabrics aren’t usable without another trip to the dyebath. The color either needs a little correction or they have too much white space. What I just put in the dryer looks like a mixed bag–some very nice and a few dogs. I never can tell, though, until they are washed, dried, and ironed.

Well I put the pedal to the treadle (!) and got the three pieces I needed for promos done and off to the photographer. I’ve been so immersed in the work that I have no perspective on it at all. I need get a little distance before I can “see” the work in progress. It’s good that I have a plan because otherwise I think I would be wasting time flailing about.

I spent some time today cleaning up the studio. It was grounding to organize my dyes and tidy up. It’s been driving me crazy that I can’t find things. There is just too much stuff in the studio. I have to move one thing out of the way to put another away. It will be very good to start finishing this work just so I can move it out of the studio and get some more floor space.

I pulled quite a bit of fabric from my home stash to add to the newly dyed fabrics. I organized all of it today by color. It helped to see what I already have, what I still need, and what I want to overdye. It helps my state of mind to put these bits of organization into the chaos.

I also took a hard look at the calendar and realized that I just don’t have enough time to finish all the pieces I’ve started for the March show. Sigh. I pulled out all the patterns and eliminated three designs. And who knows, maybe I’ll find time to finish them all. It makes me sad but I know it’s better to commit to doing less better than overstretching and not doing my best work. It’s better to have a smaller, stronger show. I’m still hoping to do at least three free-standing sculptures–even though I haven’t even started them. Long sigh. Better get back to work.

a big pie of fabrics ready for another dip in the dye pot

rough cut fabrics for Madrone 12

I got back from Costa Rica to find that I had missed a big deadline. I was supposed to have professional photos of finished work last month for PR and print for the show in March. Yikes! I have neither images nor finished work at this time.

So I sent off a mea culpa and am nose to the grindstone to get three pieces done ASAP. I should have them for my photographer by Monday or Tuesday and he’s willing to rush them through. So much for any residual relaxation from my trip.

I’m usually really good about deadlines, probably because of my background as a graphic designer, but for this current show I’ve really had my head in the sand. I think it’s because I’ve felt behind from the beginning and haven’t wanted to admit it to myself. However, pretending those deadlines don’t exist isn’t really a good plan. Hopefully, lesson learned on this one.

Good thing the work is going well. I’ve got some beautiful fabrics to work with and I think the designs are strong. Here are some photos of the stitched peltex forms before they get “skinned” with fabric.

Madrone 12

Madrone 11

Madrone 14