When was the last time ‘operator error’ was good news for you? Well, it turned out to be good news for me this week. Just Wednesday I shared some cyanotype prints with you, pointing out that one had a blotch caused by a water spot. I puzzled over this spot at the time I noticed it because I did not have water anywhere near the treated fabric when I placed the leaves on it. At that moment, however, time was of the essence if I were going to make a second print using the same leaves and flowers — which is what I did.
Then I noticed blue spots on the laundry-room floor, clearly drip marks from the printed fabrics. Aha! I had not gotten all of the chemical out during the rinsing process. Back in the tub they all went for a really good rinse. And here’s the print now:
The blotch has almost vanished. I’m really happy because this print is the better one of the two I made. It’s a crisp-edge print and shows great detail in the leaves. The blue spots on the left leaf indicate where holes in the leaf allowed the sun to react with the chemical. Notice the veins? And the very clear shape which defines where the pedals of the flowers overlap?
This has been a good reminder lesson about the process of making cyanotype prints.
I have a new work well under way now, too. In fact, I completed a top this week. I’ve talked about having some of my grandmother’s textiles before. One of them has been on my design board for some time. I finally decided where I wanted to go with it and got to work. Here’s the top:
It measure 57 1/2″ x 20 1/4″ — an ideal size for hanging in my entry way. Now to quilt.
I absolutely love what you have done with your Grandmother’s hanky! I have never seen them treated this way before. I can’t wait to see how this looks quilted up. I have lots of vintage hankies-this gives me a whole new perspective.
This textile from Grandma is silk embroidery on linen measuring 21″ x 20 (cut down from original). I thinking seriously about the quilting now. I’ll share progress!
I am just delighted that you got that ‘drop of water’ out of the print , and well done to you for thinking about this and working out the cause, true detective. I hated the thought that this lovely print might not be used! Your grandmother’s print looks gorgeous, I feel sure she would like it. J.
I would have used this print in some way, but I’m much happier to be using it in this condition. I know grandma would love seeing it used.
It’s really lovely and can hardly wait to see it quilted.
Stay tuned!
I like the cyanotype prints. They’re fun because they can be so unpredictable. I like the combinations of borders that you added to your grandmother’s piece. The difference in the piecing makes them more interesting.
Yes indeed — a bit of serendipity is always fun. Thank you for the comment on grandma’s piece. I was looking for something that would add my hand to the piece without distracting from her work. Thanks for stopping by!