I am testing some 50/50 linen cotton fabric I’ve had packed away to see if it is suitable for pillows I want to make. I have been threatening to make the transition to katazome techniques using natural pigments and dyes since taking the workshop with John Marshall in the summer 2004. I am inspired by the tools, materials, process, and results, and I feel it fits sensibilities. My baby steps this week were satisfying. I was/am afraid of the labor intensiveness of the process, because I am basically a lazy person, but so far I don’t think it is any more labor intensive than what I have been doing with fiber reactive dyes and all the chemicals, etc. for years. In fact, it may be a bit simpler. We shall see. I think Mr. Marshall was right, “soy milk is the ambrosia of the Fiber Gods.” After allowing the fabric to cure for a minimum time (i.e. several days) I will wash it out and post more photos.
silver minnow 