Yinka Shonibare’s use of Dutch wax cotton fabric in his “How to Blow Up Two Heads at Once (Ladies)” 2006 was the inspiration for the background. It was one of my favourite pieces from Art History this year (Thank you Professor S. M.!)
The Dutch colonists first learned about Indonesian Batik in the Dutch East Indies. The process is putting hot wax on cool fabric to transform plain cloth into patterned cloth through a wax-resistant dye technique. Dutch wax fabric became popular in West Africa and became to be associated with the bold print designs you still see common today.
The dye is soaked into the fabric where there is no wax. The wax gets melted off, the process is repeated until the layers of colour and design are desired.
So, I did just the same but got a little lazy (meaning I had no design in mind) and impatient to try this out. I took a medium sized candle, waited about 10 seconds after lighting the wick and just poured whatever candle wax drippings would melt fast enough onto the 22-count Hardanger grey cotton fabric.
The wax looked like a bunch of little ugly blobs and I thought to myself, “uh oh…maybe this isn’t going to turn out like I thought. This will be my ‘test and throw away’ piece then”.
In keeping with the Dutch wax boldness, I vamped up the choice of dye to red RIT and purple Kool-Aid. Here is the list of my steps:
- Wax drippings (drops of dots)
- Red RIT dye dip #1
- Melt wax off
- Light bleach wash in the centre of the fabric
- Second round of wax drippings (side-to-side splashes this time)
- Grape Kool-Aid dip #2
- Melt wax off
- Red RIT dye dip #3, just the edges of the fabric
The final product is what you see through no pre-planning just experimentation.
The cross stitch subject is based on Aesop’s fable of “The Fox and Grapes” but is inspired from me not getting into my desired program earlier this year.
Here is short summary of the fable: fox wanted to get some juicy grapes, couldn’t reach them and because he couldn’t reach them, figured they were probably sour anyway.
Since I did not get into the program, I figured that I probably would not have liked it anyway. Maybe I am right, maybe I am wrong.
But I got over my “sour grapes” and am still pursuing my degree because it is still my #1 goal. Why should I give up over one wee minor setback despite my new fuzzy situation? Have you ever felt the same way about an obstruction?
I k-n-o-w that one day after I grow and learn a little more, my reach will extend far enough to grasp my “juicy grapes” and they won’t be sour. 🙂
I love the cross-stitch design–the fox has such personality! It’s good to hear that you’re pursuing your education, in spite of not getting into the program you hoped for!
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Thank you so much KerryCan 🙂
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Very cute!
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Thank you so much Pamela 🙂
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Hi Ramona, your stiches look beautiful as always. I was gonna mentioned tie dye earlier when I asked about your hand dyed technique. I guess you’ll achieve beautiful pattern in tie die with less work than batiking. The latter needs special tool calls canting in order to get desire motif. You can’t just drip the wax onto the fabric. You know the result is that blobs. Lol
Speaking from my experience, if you really really crazy wanting to get into that program, find a way to be accepted at latter days/years (I think I so regret I didn’t do this) or always wonder not knowing that what ifs… Although the grape is sour you can have it with added sugar, right? (I know no one in right mind eats grape with sugar lol, but I would if given a chance). Good luck.
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Thank you so much Susiliany 🙂
If I could find a canting I’d try it for sure. Haven’t tried true tie dye yet though. Soon.
I love advice especially when it comes from experience. The school encouraged me to re-apply but I am going to pass and seek another path and feel….okay actually. You got me thinking good thoughts about the sugar and grapes (raisins right? LOL).
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😄 I was thinking like those chocolate caramel covered apples or sugar coated cherry tomatoes stick lol. Raisins? the process is too complicated. 😛
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HAHAH! True 🙂
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Love the closing paragraph!
Aren’t sour grapes wine, anyway? 😉 (I don’t drink, but I think they are…)
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LOL! Probably 🙂
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Wonderful work, Ramona. Brush off that setback. Anyone with your talent, good humor, and positive attitude is bound to succeed– and you will! : )
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Awww!! Thank you so much Mark 🙂 I really appreciate your kindness and supportive words.
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I have two fox and the grapes in the to do pile and now I want another. this is adorable!
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Thank you so much scoobyclue 🙂 Hope to see yours soon.
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It’s so pretty! The fox is adorable 🙂
i think I have felt that way before… it kind of helps you to look forward and move on, I find.
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Thank you so much TTLGADTRH (I tried to find your name on your about page 🙂 did not see it).
I appreciate your excellent advice and encouraging words. Thank you! :0)
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Heheh you are most welcome 🙂
I always felt I should keep my name under wraps for various reasons, but since my photo is on my page anyway, I should just include it, ha ha.
I need to think about updating my About page 😀
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I hear ya about the privacy thing–total respect. However…if you decide to fake a shorter name or use initials, it may sound better than TTLGADTRH (but hey at least there is one vowel in there) 🙂
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LOL
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🙂
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this is very pretty.. and thank you for sharing the story.. learnt something today.. 😀 have a great day ahead.. 😀
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Thank you so much *Wisher* 🙂
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What? A completed Cross Stitch? I thought that was an oxymoron. Jackie (my wife) is an avid stitcher and we have a house full of of cross stitch kits. – If you ever run short of a project let me know, maybe we can work it so you distract her while I steal a couple of hundred for you.
David
PS thanks for reading about my rooks (over on http://ja2da,com)
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HAHAH! Thank you so much David 🙂
You and my friend Mark share the same angst. His wife of 40 years has at least 75% of his house full of cross stitch (thankfully it’s a big house). Who knew cross stitching became an epidemic instead of a hobby! tee hee 🙂
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Ye Gods – I hope it isn’t catching – hopefully, it’s a Girly thing and us Guys are immune.
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I hope your wife thinks you’re as funny as I do…OMG did I laugh this morning when I read your response! HAHAH Ahhh..thank you so much 🙂
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I love the idea of using batik on aida, it never would have occurred to me. Very cute design and I like the story behind it too.
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Thank you so much The Crafty Crusader 🙂
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That is so amazing! I’ve always wanted to dye my own fabric.. I never knew about this method.. it sounds so easy
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Thank you so much ninjastitches 🙂 It is fantastically easy and quick too. I hope to see some of your work soon!
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Hey Ramona!
How is school coming along? The semester should be almost over. What a relief, right?
I just started a new class…still moving along paper by paper, discussion post by discussion post.
Hope you’ve been well,
Vanessa
🙂
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Hey Vanessa! Great to hear from you! Just heading into finals this week through to December 16th. Congrats on starting a new class! What are you taking?
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This time is “Politics and Leadership.” I seriously thought the worse, but it turns out they mean corporate politics rather than government. THANK GOODNESS!!!!
Good luck with finals! They’re just around the corner and you’re almost done. Yay!
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Thanks bud 🙂 Right back at ya!
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gorgeous colours and it looks such fun to stitch ^^
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Thank you so much Claire 🙂
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I love the fox! And the history lesson … you are always so thoughtful
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