Fabric Dyeing.....Thrift Store Style

A trip to town is not complete without stopping

at the thrift store...

I have been picking up lots of white cotton pillowcases

for a dollar or two...

They take the dye really well...

This case has battenburg lace on the edge...

Because these are previously used pillow cases,

the fibers are roughed up and ready to receive the dye

more readily than new textiles.

All of these cases were soda soaked, pleated,

then placed in long narrow trays

for the dyeing process.

The stitching on the edge of this case must

be done with polyester thread,

which resisted the dye...

This case was a white on white stripe pattern...

You can see in this image how the stripe 

acted as a resist to the dye...

This series of blue cases would make

perfect water and sky fabrics for landscape projects...

but I will use them for pillowcases.

This looks like a sky with a few clouds drifting by...

It was a FUN day fabric dyeing...

thrift store style.

CLICK HERE to view more pillowcase dyeing

CLICK HERE to view my pinterest dye page

CLICK HERE to view my surface design techniques

CLICK HERE:  to see My Quilts

May Your Bobbin Always Be Full,

LuAnn Kessi

Thrifting...

It has been awhile since I have shared some of my

Thrift Store

Treasures

Hangers w/Clips

79 Cents

These are great for hanging fabrics to dry

Rubber Stamps

99 Cents

Crayola Crayon Box

99 Cents

This holds 96 crayons neatly and is portable.

Plastic Tablecloths

99 Cents

These are great for covering your work surface

when painting and doing messy jobs.

Shower Curtain

99Cents

This is heavy, sturdy, plastic and will protect my work surface.

I rolled it on a swim noodle to keep it straight so when I lay it on the work surface it won't have any annoying creases.

It stands nicely in the corner, out of the way.

3-D Letters

$1.99

Back Side of the 3-D Letter Container.

I think these will be great to spell out words during photography.

Vintage Tool Box

$5

Needs to be cleaned up...

Scribble Paints Tool Box

I am partial to tool boxes...

They are cool to look at

and are a great way to organize.

Thread Shed Tool Box

Sewing related tools live in this box.

I can clean my machine, draft a block, sharpen a pencil, tighten a screw, etc.

This is my Go-To-Tool Box.

Hotfix Crystals Tool Box

Grommet Tool Box

Tiny Bowls...

I think these will make great pincushion dishes.

When I need to create a quick gift for a sewing friend,

I can stuff these and make cushions for pins!

Dish Pans

Many of the classes I teach are FUN and messy!

These dish pans are great to keep on the student tables

for easy clean up during class.

CLICK HERE:  to see My Quilts

CLICK HERE to view Fabric Paper

CLICK HERE to view Cow Pony Quilt

CLICK HERE to view Binding Tips

May Your Bobbin Always Be Full,

LuAnn

Magnetic Pincushions...

Today I spent the day making a few party favors...

Magnetic Pincushions

Click Images to Enlarge:

I have to admit....this was a fun project!

This little plate measures about 3 inches across.

It has a magnet glued to the bottom, so the pins stay put.

I found it at the thrift store for less than a dollar.

Wouldn't this be sweet on your sewing table, and it wouldn't take up much room either.

Very Round Kitty Cat

Just throw the pins at the plate, and they stick to it!

Rose

Polk a Dots

Ice Cream Sundae

Circles

Ice Cream Cone

These all came from thrift shopping.

What a great way to recycle...

Here is how I did it:

Glue a magnet on the bottom of each plate

You only need one heavy duty magnet (left plate)

or

3 Regular magnets (right plate)

All Purpose Adhesive works fine.

Time to wrap them up:

Square piece of sparkly tulle and ribbon make the perfect gift wrapping

Magnetic Pincushions ready for gift giving...

I think each one cost under $2 to make, including the wrapping.

Go get busy.....your friends would love one of these!

CLICK HERE:  to see My Quilts

CLICK HERE to view my Quilt Label Tutorial

CLICK HERE to view my Texture Magic Tutorial

CLICK HERE to view my Iron Cozy Tutorial

May Your Bobbin Always Be Full,

LuAnn