Home Ec. Workshop

“Members of the Old Capitol Quilters’ Guild joined me for this two-part class, and we had a lot of fun. We tested fiber reactive dyes, a versatile cold water dye that reacts at the molecular level with natural fibers, so it’s very color and light fast and a good choice for home dyers. We tried handpainting and monoprinting. Even Codi jumped in! In June, I hope to do a one session evening class called “paint your own throw pillow fabric” (June 15). I also hope to team up with Codi to do a screenprinting and handpainting class on Saturday June 27 (students will screen print with Codi), and Tuesday, June 30 (students will paint their screenprinted fabric with me). In the future, I’d like to do more “dye basics” sessions, plus soy wax batik, stamping on fabric, low water immersion dyeing for quilters, and fabrics for book artists. I’m open to your suggestions as well. Long ago, when the University of Iowa still taught fiber arts classes, I was a visiting lecturer there, and I’ve taught at Penland and other places. You can see my work on my website, http://www.astridhilgerbennett.com .
I’ve so enjoyed the energy and friendship of Codi and Alisa at Home Ec. May they prosper and also get the occasional day off! Happy making fiber art “making things” to you.”