Carol Soderlund
I just returned from a week of study with Carol Soderlund at The Crow Timberframe Barn. The class was Carol's in-depth color class - Color Mixing for Dyers - Part I. It was fantastic!
I've tried to think about why it took me so long to take this class. The best answer I can come up with is that I have had good success dying on my own and didn't feel the need for the class. Now I understand the full scope of the information this class covers and wish I had taken the course years ago. Getting color onto the fabric is an important skill but it is only one part of the program. We were engaged and working from the minute we arrived until 5p.m. the last day and I only managed to complete the insertion of one third of my samples into the swatch book we created. (I can't wait to do this!)
So what are some of the things we learned:
- Sophisticated protocol for working with MX Procion dye
- Dying from a limited number of Pure Colors
- Three New Color Families for Swatch Book
- Exploration of Multiple processes for applying the dye
- In-depth discussion of the components of the dye process
- How to formulate dye concentrations as well as how much dye is necessary for various depths of shade
- How to use the metric system....much easier than our system...for measuring dye, salt/soda ash, water and fabric
- How to correct errors by over-dying
- Extensive formulas for colors
- Actual repeatable colors in a huge swatch book
- Explanations on how to use the swatch book
- Exercises to evaluate how various PFD fabrics take dye
- Exercises to created value runs
- Exercises examining Complementary Color relationships
- And much much more
Carol with several students examining samples.
At this time I am not dying huge amounts of fabric on speculating that I'll have a use for it at some future point. Rather, I am more interested in dying specific colors for specific uses. This new information is perfect for me as I will be able to look in my swatch book, find the color I want and dye with confidence.
I want to add that while Carol's system does allow for repeatable color, she is very clear that she often dyes by "eye", meaning that she uses the book to remind her of the base colors and what they can produce and then she works freely to create a mix that she wants.
We had a great group in class and I'm sending everyone a big hello. There were artists with all sorts of art interest in the class including quilts, clothing and dolls. I took only a few photos as I was too busy doing the work.
Thank you Carol for a very well organized, intense, informative and fun week!
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