last of the Eowyn dye adventures
I got the extra dye yesterday and proceed to dye the silk this morning. It was typical of the experience so far. I forgot the salt, went to the store, came home but forgot to change back into my dying clothes and got a spot of dye on my favorite jeans. *grinds teeth* While stirring the silk in the dye bath, about 20 minutes into the process, the sink plug came out and the dye bath drained most of the way out. I managed to save about a third of it and, for the sake of keeping the fabric submerged, added a bit of fresh water.
All this for what? The silk wasn't really any darker. I think it has taken as much Dylon dye as it will take. Maah! The sewing fates can be so cruel!
I sat down with Mom and C (who came for moral support) and stared at my swatches. None of us liked them with the velvet. I come up with 4 options:
a. by the professional dyes from Dharma and attempt to dye again
b. use the silk as-is but attempt to blend the two fabrics by painting the leaves on in fabric paint
c. forget making "Eyown's Green Dress" and create a "Rohan gown" (using my current pattern without the split, looped front and perhaps sans collar too), using the silk only for the sleeve lining
d. forget the whole thing and make a totally new something out of either the velvet or silk
Frankly, I've had enough ‘dye adventures’ to last a good long while and I hate the thought of spending so much money on a costume I will not ultimately be happy with. I really don’t think I will be able to find (or mix) paint in the colors I need for the leaves, I know because I had this issue with the Hades dress.
At the moment I'm leaning toward "c". It would be cutting my losses and is the most practical at this point. I'd be able to use the pattern I've perfected (and love!) and have 9-8 yards of lovely green silk for another project. I’ll be disappointed not to have made "Eowyn's Green Dress" but not brokenhearted. I'll still have a really LOTR costume along with yards of silk I could make into just about anything. (Titanic gown, 18th century, empire, 1820s, Ren ect.)
I am so glad Bridget’s costume is not being this complicated! *sigh*
All this for what? The silk wasn't really any darker. I think it has taken as much Dylon dye as it will take. Maah! The sewing fates can be so cruel!
I sat down with Mom and C (who came for moral support) and stared at my swatches. None of us liked them with the velvet. I come up with 4 options:
a. by the professional dyes from Dharma and attempt to dye again
b. use the silk as-is but attempt to blend the two fabrics by painting the leaves on in fabric paint
c. forget making "Eyown's Green Dress" and create a "Rohan gown" (using my current pattern without the split, looped front and perhaps sans collar too), using the silk only for the sleeve lining
d. forget the whole thing and make a totally new something out of either the velvet or silk
Frankly, I've had enough ‘dye adventures’ to last a good long while and I hate the thought of spending so much money on a costume I will not ultimately be happy with. I really don’t think I will be able to find (or mix) paint in the colors I need for the leaves, I know because I had this issue with the Hades dress.
At the moment I'm leaning toward "c". It would be cutting my losses and is the most practical at this point. I'd be able to use the pattern I've perfected (and love!) and have 9-8 yards of lovely green silk for another project. I’ll be disappointed not to have made "Eowyn's Green Dress" but not brokenhearted. I'll still have a really LOTR costume along with yards of silk I could make into just about anything. (Titanic gown, 18th century, empire, 1820s, Ren ect.)
I am so glad Bridget’s costume is not being this complicated! *sigh*