Skip to main content

Unveiling the Rust

 After almost a week, I was finally ready today to take the washers and nuts off my fabric and wash it off to see the rusting patterns.  I love the colour of the rust and can't wait to get out my gold beads to embellish it.
 Even the reverse of the rusted fabric is enough different that it gives you two valid choices as to which pattern you prefer. 
 The first two photos are of the bottom piece of fabric that was under the nuts, etc. and the second two photos are both sides of the piece of fabric that was laying on top.  This one is a bit more subtle.
I can definitely see possibilities here and think it will be a lot of fun to work with this fabric.  I predict that, much to my family's dismay, there will be many more of "Mom's science experiments" taking up residence on the kitchen counter for weeks at a time.

Thank you to everyone who gave me advice and hints on this project.  I have learned that adding a tablespoon of bleach to the water/vinegar mix will speed up the rusting process although it will result in weaker fabric, which may or may not be an issue depending on what you have planned for it.  I also learned that using metal bits that already have a bit of rust will speed up the process a lot, instead of using shiny new ones like I did.  Most interesting I think was the idea of using steel wool since it will rust so quickly. 

So, this is what it turned out like.  One piece I will save as a sample for future classes and one I get to play with now.  The next unveiling will be once it is beaded.

Comments

Susan said…
So cool, I've seen the book on this. Someone gave some classes at my LQS on this but I didn't go but I did see their samples there. Yep another fun idea! So now I can't wait to see how you finish it!!!
Marilyn said…
Kerry, looks great. You're going to have lots of fun playing with it. But I'd be worried about adding bleach to the vinegar water. It can release chlorine gas, which is very toxic. Most bleach bottles say on the label not to mix with acids.
Debbie said…
OMG Kerry, not only are you a crazy-quilter, you are now a mad scienctist as well! I like where this is going and can"t wait to see the full end result.
Marilyn - I think I would be leary about adding the bleach too unless I had it outside during the process. It was included in the book I was following but still... better safe than sorry!

Popular posts from this blog

Giveaway Day! (CLOSED)

I am very happy to be joining in the Giveaway Day through Sew, Momma, Sew .  I have chosen to share one of my finds from a shopping trip, or treasure hunts as I think of them.  This is an antique sewing box -  I could not resist it when I saw it for sale!  Were you able to guess the item from the sneak peek earlier in the week? The box itself is fairly small, 8 inchs X 6 inchs and 4 inches high (20 cm X 15 cm and 10 cm high).  From my research it is of Asian origin. Inside the sewing box is lined with hand-painted silk.  The inside of the lid features a neat little needlebook. In the bottom of the sewing box there are more beautiful hand-painted blossoms and an attached pincushion.  I hope you are as charmed by this little box as I was when I found it and that you will enter my giveaway.  I will be pleased to mail internationally so everyone is invited to enter. To enter, visit my Etsy shop and then come back and leave me a comment telling me which item you like best.  Feel fr

Save the Stitches Finished!

 I finally finished my "Covid Project"!  I worked on Elizabeth Almond's beautiful blackwork sampler design, "Save the Stitches" for much longer than I would like to admit...  I have to say though that it was very satisfying every step of the way.  I have not been able to concentrate on stitching in any significant way for some time now due to chronic pain and the dullness that the pain meds cause but having finished this piece gives me hope for my stitching future.  I also love the framing which was lovingly done by MJ of "Art Effects" in High River, Alberta.

BAS - Week 79 - Feather Stitch Variations

I have about the next twenty BAS stitches scheduled and by happy coincidence this week's BAS is a series of Feather Stitch variations which coincide with this week's TAST stitch if you are following.  So, we can hit two birds with one stone!  These hardly look like feather stitch but they are.  They are created by making the "v"'s of the feather stitch vertical on the inside.  Very simple to do but a different look to an old stitch.  The second variation is created by doing two feather stitches at a time on each side, again making sure the inside of your "v"s are vertical and line up as much as possible. Same thing again in this one except they are in series of three.  To me these have the look of stitching on old crazy quilts so they are nice to add to your stable of stitch variations.  Hope you  enjoy them and have fun!