I am trying a new technique with this quilt - dye discharge. This is a process where you use bleach or something similar to take the dye out of the fabric to create new patterns and reveal new colours in the fabric. It involves a bit of chance as you don't really know what colours you will end up with. I didn't do any tests with this quilt, I just threw caution to the wind and went for it! I wanted to harmonize the colours and patterns so I used this method as a kind of 'reverse glazing process'. I could have 'over-dyed' the quilt to blend the fabrics as well.
The final result is a much softer colour scheme and a gently, aged look to the quilt. Following this I added another batting layer to the back and quilted random horizontal lines across the quilt to harmonize the design even more. I then added another complementary border and beads for interest and texture. I am pleased with the result and happy that I had the courage to both drastically and irreversibly takes steps to alter my quilt. Sometimes it is a happy ending, and then sometimes not!
The finished quilt is titled 'Blue Stratus" and is now hanging at a local museum for the next month. The size is 34"x43".
This is detail of some of the textures and colours in the quilt. Can you guess what the original fabrics looked like? What were the original colours?
