X mas in New Zealand is very tricky. In Berlin I would never forget that x mas comes closer, they are markets all over the place, the smell of Gluehwein (mulled wine) and delicious Weihnachtsplaetzchen (biscuits) in the air, its usually very cold and x mas decorated windows everywhere. New Zealand right now: sunshine, the birds are singing, everything is green, the blossoms smelling sweet and the BBQ s are in action. Nice as well. And I totally forgot to buy xmas presents… good there are still some days left to think about what to get for whom and to buy or make some nice presents.
If you are still looking for some presents, what about some handmade harakeke (NZ flax) earrings? Available in turquoise and magenta, hooks surgical steel.
$ 20 per pair plus standard postage within NZ.
As long as stock lasts. Please contact me for orders.
00HMNhttps://www.birgitmoffatt.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/LogoWhite_header-180x180.jpgHMN2015-12-07 16:26:512015-12-07 16:26:51Ho ho ho Harakeke x-mas presents
Solar dyeing is a dye technique which involves very little. Its a good way to dye scraps of fabric and threads for further use. After stuffing the fabrics – I put leaves in some of them as well – into old glass jars I poured some leftover dye liquids in: black tea, onion skin liquid, soaked eucalyptus bark liquid and marigold liquid from last year. I also layered some liquids on top of each other to achieve blended colours.
dyestuff and yarns
placed in jars, there is some prickle leftover which may affects the outcome
filled up with dyestuff
sitting on the window sill and waiting for the sun to come out. The hardest thing is to forget about them, they need to stay in the sun at least till after x mas
00HMNhttps://www.birgitmoffatt.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/LogoWhite_header-180x180.jpgHMN2015-11-25 13:54:222015-11-25 13:54:22Summer time – solar dyeing time part I
I have been resisting dyeing with kowhai flowers up to now because all parts of the plants are poisoning but also because the nectar is a preferred food source for tui and kereru. As I get more and more interested in natural dyes especially from New Zealand and flowers were abundant this year I decided to test the dye on a variety of natural fibres (silks, wool, muka and linen).
Freshly picked kowhai flowers
Soaked in water for a couple of days
Because of the strange smell I did the boiling and dyeing outside.
Samples with alum as mordant, not very bright although I like the shades which can give a beautiful subtlety on silks.
Samples dyed with a piece of copper plate, not much different from the alum mordant samples.
Samples with iron as mordant, almost a taupe shade. Quite a bit disappointing as I expected much stronger colours but there are some nice shades among them.
00HMNhttps://www.birgitmoffatt.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/LogoWhite_header-180x180.jpgHMN2015-11-12 08:53:222015-11-12 08:53:22Dyeing with kowhai flowers
There are probably as much recipes for indigo vats as there are for German potato salad, and its an art in itself to get a successful indigo vat going, the same applies to a good German potato salad. This time I started a vat with indigo powder (obviously), fructose and lime (calx).
The bronze surface appeared on the liquid, but only a few little blue bubbles (also called flower). I did a test to see if it worked.
after 2 dips, I did a little resist with a marble
take the marble out
voila, rinsed and dried
Next I dyed a white nuno felted scarf. I love the texture against the sun and the shade of blue. I find quite successful although I may dip it another couple of times to see if I can get deeper shades of blue.
00HMNhttps://www.birgitmoffatt.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/LogoWhite_header-180x180.jpgHMN2015-10-28 10:54:352015-10-28 10:54:35so so blue Indigo
Here are my latest eco prints, this time on pure (means 100%) silk. I have used eukalyptus leaves but also tried some New Zealand native trees and bushes (well, only the leaves).
Eukalyptus
Mingi Mingi
Mako Mako (my absolute favourite today)
Eukalyptus with Pohutukawa (stamens)
I will have a small selection on display (yes and for sale) in my studio at the Kapiti Arts Trail.
00HMNhttps://www.birgitmoffatt.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/LogoWhite_header-180x180.jpgHMN2015-10-26 10:10:072015-10-26 10:10:07eco print time
There is such a large variety of eucalyptus species and every eco print with those leaves will give different results, depending on the time of picking the leaves, the region, and the kind of water to simmer the bundles in. There is already so much written about it and I am not a scientist understanding the chemical side of eco printing, so I just did a little test with the same leaves dyed in the same pot, the same lengths of time, the same fabric (merino knit) . The only difference is that I soaked one fabric in iron water over night, the other not.
This is the fabric not soaked.
This is the fabric soaked.
Which do you like better?
00HMNhttps://www.birgitmoffatt.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/LogoWhite_header-180x180.jpgHMN2015-10-24 14:25:212015-10-24 14:25:21eukalyptus on merino knit
Deconstructive screenprint (DSP) is a technique developed by American fibre artist Kerr Grabowski, its a technique to apply dye on fabric with a silkscreen. This technique is more environment friendly because the thickener is a natural product called manutex, which is actually kelp. No toxic emulsion is needed to set up the screen. And its easy to clean. Disadvantage is that once the dye has “deconstructed” from the screen to the medium, a new screen has to be prepared. Therefore its more time consuming but results are always unique and cannot be repeated. If you are interested to learn more about this technique have a look at Kerr’s website.
I have done some tests on fabric (cotton works best) but also find it works beautiful on paper. So I gave it a go to do some unique little prints.
Anything flat with texture can be used to prepare the screen, like leaves, plastic bags, bubble wrap or string.
The prepared screen has to be completely dry before printing (in the image the thickener with added dye powder is still wet).
I was so excited with the finished prints, lovely colors, lovely texture.
Even the details look gorgeous.
Some of them will be available for sale in my studio on the Kāpiti Arts Trail.
00HMNhttps://www.birgitmoffatt.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/LogoWhite_header-180x180.jpgHMN2015-10-08 08:46:202015-10-08 08:46:20Deconstructive screenprint on paper
I love that plant. Rangiora. I dont know why its called rangiora, but rangi means sky and ora life in te reo māori. I first noticed it because of its unusual leaf form.
Then I learnt that it has been used in rongoā, traditional māori medicine. And the first settlers used it as toilet paper because of the soft paper like underside of the leaf.
I tried eco print with rangiora, without much success. My friend Helena wrote me a German bread recipe on a leaf of Rangiora (and the bread is really yummy).
Because it has such lovely veins I tried to simple paint it with thickened dye and printed it on my brown paper bags, ready for the Kapiti Arts Trail.
Finished. Hope to print a new batch soon…
00HMNhttps://www.birgitmoffatt.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/LogoWhite_header-180x180.jpgHMN2015-09-25 17:22:362015-09-25 17:22:36Rangiora packaging for Arts Trail
First things first, after a few considerations I decided to give it a go and applied for the Kāpiti Arts Trail 2015. And got in! This will be the first time I open my new studio for the public and I just realized its only 6 weeks to go.
Here the key dates and further information from Kāpiti Coast District Council (KCDC), you can also download the official Kapiti Arts Guide. Dont miss out and having a browse to see what other amazing local artists have to offer. I am sure it will be a successful two weekends.
finished this April, celebrated with a studio warming and it looks so different now as it is in use…
And this it what it looks like in the Kāpiti Arts Guide
00HMNhttps://www.birgitmoffatt.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/LogoWhite_header-180x180.jpgHMN2015-09-23 09:42:302015-09-23 09:42:30Kāpiti Arts Trail 2015
What is better than a walk on a beautiful clear morning? Technically it is still winter but signs of spring showing everywhere! Plus the sounds of the birds and the smell of moist crisp forest air…
Cannot describe the feelings but I guess that is a form of belonging. Kia ora Aotearoa!
Ho ho ho Harakeke x-mas presents
X mas in New Zealand is very tricky. In Berlin I would never forget that x mas comes closer, they are markets all over the place, the smell of Gluehwein (mulled wine) and delicious Weihnachtsplaetzchen (biscuits) in the air, its usually very cold and x mas decorated windows everywhere. New Zealand right now: sunshine, the birds are singing, everything is green, the blossoms smelling sweet and the BBQ s are in action. Nice as well. And I totally forgot to buy xmas presents… good there are still some days left to think about what to get for whom and to buy or make some nice presents.
If you are still looking for some presents, what about some handmade harakeke (NZ flax) earrings? Available in turquoise and magenta, hooks surgical steel.
$ 20 per pair plus standard postage within NZ.
As long as stock lasts. Please contact me for orders.
Summer time – solar dyeing time part I
Solar dyeing is a dye technique which involves very little. Its a good way to dye scraps of fabric and threads for further use. After stuffing the fabrics – I put leaves in some of them as well – into old glass jars I poured some leftover dye liquids in: black tea, onion skin liquid, soaked eucalyptus bark liquid and marigold liquid from last year. I also layered some liquids on top of each other to achieve blended colours.
placed in jars, there is some prickle leftover which may affects the outcome
sitting on the window sill and waiting for the sun to come out. The hardest thing is to forget about them, they need to stay in the sun at least till after x mas
Dyeing with kowhai flowers
I have been resisting dyeing with kowhai flowers up to now because all parts of the plants are poisoning but also because the nectar is a preferred food source for tui and kereru. As I get more and more interested in natural dyes especially from New Zealand and flowers were abundant this year I decided to test the dye on a variety of natural fibres (silks, wool, muka and linen).
so so blue Indigo
There are probably as much recipes for indigo vats as there are for German potato salad, and its an art in itself to get a successful indigo vat going, the same applies to a good German potato salad. This time I started a vat with indigo powder (obviously), fructose and lime (calx).
The bronze surface appeared on the liquid, but only a few little blue bubbles (also called flower). I did a test to see if it worked.
after 2 dips, I did a little resist with a marble
take the marble out
voila, rinsed and dried
Next I dyed a white nuno felted scarf. I love the texture against the sun and the shade of blue. I find quite successful although I may dip it another couple of times to see if I can get deeper shades of blue.
eco print time
Here are my latest eco prints, this time on pure (means 100%) silk. I have used eukalyptus leaves but also tried some New Zealand native trees and bushes (well, only the leaves).
Eukalyptus
Mingi Mingi
Mako Mako (my absolute favourite today)
Eukalyptus with Pohutukawa (stamens)
I will have a small selection on display (yes and for sale) in my studio at the Kapiti Arts Trail.
eukalyptus on merino knit
There is such a large variety of eucalyptus species and every eco print with those leaves will give different results, depending on the time of picking the leaves, the region, and the kind of water to simmer the bundles in. There is already so much written about it and I am not a scientist understanding the chemical side of eco printing, so I just did a little test with the same leaves dyed in the same pot, the same lengths of time, the same fabric (merino knit) . The only difference is that I soaked one fabric in iron water over night, the other not.
This is the fabric not soaked.
This is the fabric soaked.
Which do you like better?
Deconstructive screenprint on paper
Deconstructive screenprint (DSP) is a technique developed by American fibre artist Kerr Grabowski, its a technique to apply dye on fabric with a silkscreen. This technique is more environment friendly because the thickener is a natural product called manutex, which is actually kelp. No toxic emulsion is needed to set up the screen. And its easy to clean. Disadvantage is that once the dye has “deconstructed” from the screen to the medium, a new screen has to be prepared. Therefore its more time consuming but results are always unique and cannot be repeated. If you are interested to learn more about this technique have a look at Kerr’s website.
I have done some tests on fabric (cotton works best) but also find it works beautiful on paper. So I gave it a go to do some unique little prints.
Anything flat with texture can be used to prepare the screen, like leaves, plastic bags, bubble wrap or string.
The prepared screen has to be completely dry before printing (in the image the thickener with added dye powder is still wet).
I was so excited with the finished prints, lovely colors, lovely texture.
Even the details look gorgeous.
Some of them will be available for sale in my studio on the Kāpiti Arts Trail.
Rangiora packaging for Arts Trail
I love that plant. Rangiora. I dont know why its called rangiora, but rangi means sky and ora life in te reo māori. I first noticed it because of its unusual leaf form.
Then I learnt that it has been used in rongoā, traditional māori medicine. And the first settlers used it as toilet paper because of the soft paper like underside of the leaf.
I tried eco print with rangiora, without much success. My friend Helena wrote me a German bread recipe on a leaf of Rangiora (and the bread is really yummy).
Because it has such lovely veins I tried to simple paint it with thickened dye and printed it on my brown paper bags, ready for the Kapiti Arts Trail.
Finished. Hope to print a new batch soon…
Kāpiti Arts Trail 2015
First things first, after a few considerations I decided to give it a go and applied for the Kāpiti Arts Trail 2015. And got in! This will be the first time I open my new studio for the public and I just realized its only 6 weeks to go.
Here the key dates and further information from Kāpiti Coast District Council (KCDC), you can also download the official Kapiti Arts Guide. Dont miss out and having a browse to see what other amazing local artists have to offer. I am sure it will be a successful two weekends.
Spring?
What is better than a walk on a beautiful clear morning? Technically it is still winter but signs of spring showing everywhere! Plus the sounds of the birds and the smell of moist crisp forest air…
Cannot describe the feelings but I guess that is a form of belonging. Kia ora Aotearoa!