Lake Merritt Eco-dyed Quilt
When in doubt or the the throws of depression: eco-dye! This project, a hand-stitched, eco-dyed quilt, involved days of foraging along the shores of Lake Merritt in Oakland, California. The fabric is flour-sack Lito linen towels that I order in bulk from Amazon for both the quality and affordability. The leaves include eucalyptus, Japanese Maple, and rose.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmFiVnn9kLAQrWsNcAnYVXiIwqQtVyCeZxqxOZujdn1IJhv6Wavv9egqcbA1Fb0lDBwQdLOlqA6XKJs18t5soY-ww6GhAd3V7rk9rlGtINB9Ejvg9AB0vig93CX7ZnmI80kefNe-lruY7It9258KMonlK8Q0XkQ-GOoAnAJb6sYIkLpGIbTnh5ywD1pks/w289-h400/bookfront.jpg) |
Leaf journal |
But first, a word about tools and techniques. I have been using a blank journal — one of many given to me over the years by people who felt the need to proffer a gift but had no idea what to give. I am sure that you, too, have one lying around the house unused. This one has the advantage of a strong elastic cord attached to the journal that keeps it firmly closed when not in use. As I was starting this project I noticed just how unlovely the commercially-designed cover of the journal was. I used Modgepodge, a brown paper bag, and gold paint to transform the unlovely object. It turns out that if you generously slather on the Modgepodge, you can decoupage a leaf collage onto the surface that will endure rough handling.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia2M50_6UgC40ZrILl2wifcsbrMDsq0juSUdU3Qj3zH9JxWTa01sGskgvhqvkhzSn3gGh2X7ISMv-gZTRkgrUP9m3Y0iKLl6g4RsOjudpm8UzrOsXqfXuF_M2-29IjMkjriJLR6t6sT1IDjfJORV-K06-5UUYbeaDt5K9qvd3o_-e2X2rCqFFOyEzn1xX8/w400-h283/bookinside.jpg) |
Journal innards |
By keeping a leaf journal, you are able to forage at random all year long, press the leaves, and tap this rich resource whenever the mood for eco-dyeing strikes you.
Now back to the quilt:
The quilt is comprised of two layers of linen. While the top layer features eco-dyed panels, the flip side employs a variety of patterns using bits of raw turmeric root tied or stitched into the cloth, boiled, and removed.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSogq-dwYnSgiHlkLaC-kmKhWWEwN1PCSMeUq0OOm6PCFdLzYkbjat7hdMJFDLZ7ROfxgqcyDJc6IM9rogfaba6ezxxOyHc3oT7bDfUWecaxkB6KH9rVPty5H_Ex4vhzuExHVwQqBvfkEV6Kxw_Ln7-HtSgRS_9RnG2q6MlXdqFuYvGc4HIn9cgVnb08tf/w300-h400/turmeric1.jpg) |
Turmeric panels |
In the past I have used long rows of vertical stitching to hold the two sides of a quilt like this together. This time I experimented with stitching around some of the eco-dyed leaves on the top side of the quilt, which produces stitched ghost outlines of leaves on the turmeric-dyed side.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVO7dsGoTlaCIdQSZ-nbZZ5qWtKITnMWe4lp_aqgrvVvTimg1vPOl_LjVXusalanrOTsmEeaDtXt4E10ykYuCo4tRERgRy8tRjWwSJakBxAJvvcsxLRDW5fn2mfBQGY6358efB0iCjeLp3ufVqg2DmxXMxUHQM791XdPYkoPmQEz-R2N4Q31iNMtsl6O6o/w300-h400/turmericstitch.jpg) |
Stitched leaf silhouette |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIK8wST3-4O3Zgwj9zZlkaiyvzKawmA6_Y0D7cHPaCdmB_cpYKStT_W06Wt33Sqp9AEVp42qANZbfxCkCDh27SazRFZ2908gyjYYKTAl3BXC03kMxzohBQmrrkihKxQQMNjlTcz5lDVV-jL2fWmdfSHXfdkXCIOax19lFjq1OSopFV4ryIBJmNCOmUe5Pa/w300-h400/turmerictopstitch.jpg) |
Look closely to see stitched border on leaves |
Making a quilt like this — from the ambling walks to forage for leaves to the slow, mesmerizing practice of hand-stitching — is one of the best ways I know to tune in to the universe and be here now.
What a lovely post. Keeping a leaf journal is such a wonderful idea. Do I understand correctly that you can use the dried leaves just as well as fresh leaves in the eco-dyeing process?
ReplyDeleteThanks Barbara. Yes, dried leaves work. The only issue is when/if they become too crumbly or brittle.
Delete