July 1st, 2023, the Guild gathered for our annual Dye Day. We had clear weather, but it was one of the first very hot days of the year. By the afternoon, the temperature outside had exceeded 100oF. We worked outside, and the air-conditioned house was available for any needed respites from the heat.
The Process
We each chose a colorway using the COLOR CUBE SYSTEM by Sarah Renae Clark. We had both Color Cube volumes 1 and 2 – over 500 cards to inspire us!!
We matched the colors to the vast number of dye colors available to us, courtesy of Wendy.
We dyed merino/silk roving using a unique method — we placed the roving in aluminum roasting pans, applied the dyes to the roving, then covered with foil, and popped into a large clear garbage bag.
Many of the pans that had been placed in the sun by the side of the garage (it was a 100o F day!) cooked in the sun.
The intent was to take them home and bake in the oven at 200oF for 30 minutes or more. After several rinses, and drying, we had beautiful dyed roving!!!