Just thought that I would say that I started working on my spools quilt today. Got 16 blocks done. Still not certain how it will eventually be put together but I decided to go ahead and make the basic blocks anyway. It's turning out very colourful. I had thought of using all the same fabric for the spool tops and bottoms but it was too dull so I am using a few different fabrics for them.

Work in progress photo:

Not great light in the photo, it's late at night here. Off to bed now, g'night.

Here's my 2 cents worth:

Rita, love those reel settings! Regarding tea dyeing, found info here:
http://www.quilt.com/FAQS/TeaDyingFAQ.html
(Scroll down to part about tannic acid...Barbara Backman recommends not using tea, rather tan dye for the look you want.)

Lois, there is info here about the fires:
http://wildfiretoday.com/
Looks like things are under better control & some areas even got a little rain.
Hope all is well with Bren!

Lorna, I can relate to "finish it, use it up!" lol, that's the title of my blog!

p.s. looks like I'm slow in posting this as several more comments have been made! I have used vinegar to stop the discharge
process when bleaching fabric, but have not used it with tea dyeing. And you never know about the quilts being around for a long time!

Thanks Rosemary (and your mother). That's just great to know that bicarb of soda will work. I will give it a try so. Not too worried about what happens to my quilts in 50 years time as I doubt I will still be around, and even if I am I will probably be very gaga!

Reetzbobeetz wrote: Salt will help to set the dye to the fabric, but not neutralize it.

To neutralize an acid you need something which is alkali - sodium bicarbonate/bicabonate of soda (same stuff) will do (just phoned my Mum to check, she is a chemist )

I have absolutely not idea as to quantities needed, but gardeners are able to buy little PH sets to check the acid/akali state of their soil, if you were really bothered, you could get one of those to check your results of your test swatches.

Or you could just say 'Since I won't be around in 50 years time, what the heck' and go for it.

PosyP wrote:

You couldn't expect me to go cold turkey, could you!? :shock: Old habits are hard to break, so yes, the one allowance I have made is to buy a green fat quarter from each show or shop I visit while living here. Not sure why I picked green except everything is so darn green here (year round!). Especially compared to San Antonio, Texas, where I just moved from, or southern California where I grew up. I love it!

Lorna

Lorna1021 wrote: I take it that that excludes all the green fqs I saw you buying

Limbania, thanks for the information. I wonder would salt neutralize the acid? I never did science in school so nothing about such matters. I will have to think again. Thanks.

Rita, when I was getting started into "my dyeing journey" I researched the topic of tea dyeing, online. I ended up using fiber reactive dyes, since tea or coffee dyeing/staining is semi-permanent and the acid in them will degrade the fabrics. The link bellow has some good information about it. Hope it helps.

http://www.marthabeth.com/dye.html

Thank you for posting those photos. I have not even a tiny on how am I going to set the reels for my quilt. Looking at photos of quilts with reels should spark some inspiration to get me going.

Rita, I haven't seen these quilts before. Can't help you with the dying process. I know nothing, but I am intrigued as I am with anything quilt related. I am eager to see everyones spools and a bit because I did not get in on it in time. I continue to think of Bren and am concerned because there has been no news. Does anyone know anything about those fires? Lois

{!-- ia0 -->Spool quilt.jpg{!-- ia0 -->

Lovely quilt Jane. I still haven't decided on either my background fabric or what design to do. Too many decisions. I am not sure if I posted these ones before but if I am repeating myself apologies:




I am thinking of trying to dye some plain cotton fabric with tea in a marbled effect as my background fabric. Does anybody know if it is better to use salt or vinegar to set the colour? And what proprotions would be good?

Pretty colors! THanks for sharing. I hope it earns the guild lots of money. I have been so busy entertaining family that have come to visit and catching up on UFOs that I have not started my Reels quilt. My goal when I moved here was to use up what I have in my stash and not buy new fabric. So we'll see how that works out.

Lorna

Jane, thanks for the pic of such an inspiring reel quilt!! I love it! However, if I ever want to get mine done in this decade, I think I need to skip the applique! LOL

Keep those reel quilt pics coming!! I haven't decided on a layout for mine yet....

Jane,
Thanks for posting the quilt photo. That border is really something!