Color can be intimidating when I am creating silk scarves, because up to the point of dyeing a scarf, I am already invested in the possibilities that I have in mind for it. Consideration has been given as to whether the final piece will be textured or flat in appearance. The fabric has been cut to a specific size for a specific style purpose, and hems sewn on some or all sides depending on the design desired. The pleating has been done, if any, and it has been thoughtfully bound to the pvc pipe in any of a number of ways as a part of the design element.
I am finding out that as I become more and more free to experiment with color and let it tell me how to proceed next, I can tell when a piece needs another dye bath, and I can tell when it is time to call it finished. I always have to use my power of visualization, because I cannot see the silk underneath the current dye bath. It is also important to remember that when wet, a scarf looks much darker than the finished scarf will. Experimentation will allow me to see shapes and patterns that I find fascinating and want to duplicate. This also means that I am putting a lot of original attention to the entire process, and documenting in a journal so I can reproduce what is so pleasing to me.
No matter how much I think I know about color, the primary colors, secondary colors, tertiary colors, and blends, there is nothing more exciting than presenting my scarf to the dye pot and watching magic happen.
Here are some scarves that I was certain were not meant to be loved or worn, but they certainly fooled me with their magic!!!
The above picture, and the pictures below are of two different although similar scarves.
This scarf went through several morphs before becoming a swan. This is due to continuous experimentation...
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(Originally posted 31 December, 2014) Edited 26 January, 2024