It’s the last day of our freebie giveaway! Well, that’s a lie actually… There will be more giveaways next week too because that’s how we roll! But before that we’ll be launching Augusts ! We’re doing things a little bit differently this time. For the first 24 hours you will be able to sign up to subscriptions for £30 but after the first day the price will go up to £35. Sales will start at 6pm GMT tomorrow so head back over here for then to get your kit!
Our last WMC course freebie is from our Shibori and Natural Dyeing Course by our contributor . She’s made these lovely Indigo beads and avocado pouches. A great excuse to eat more avocados! Like we need one though… Over to you Lucy
Alongside your Shibori and Indigo kits you will need some wooden beads in various sizes, 2 avocados, craft varnish, white acrylic paint, sewing machine and some cord.
To make your natural avocado dye you will need to peel all the skins and wash them. Chop up the pips and tear up the skins. I have used 2 avocados for this dye but you can use more for a stronger colour. Boil the skins and pips for 30 minutes with 2 litres of water. Stiring occasionally.
Whilst your avocados are boiling, prepare your Indigo dye ready to dip your wooden beads. Make sure you prepare your working area with newspaper or brown paper so you don’t get dye everywhere. It stains!
Wearing your gloves, dip your beads into the dye. The longer you leave them in the dye the darker they will be. Rinse with cold water and leave to dry.
Back to your avocado dye. After the 30 minutes is over, add your fabric and boil for another 30 minutes. Leave to stand. Once you are happy with the colour take out your fabric and rinse with cold water until the water runs clear. Leave to dry.
To make your necklace pouch, cut your fabric into a rectangle roughly 30cm by 20cm. Iron and pin the 2 short sides to create a small hem. Using your sewing machine sew down both sides.
Fold over the top section and pin. This will be for your cord and you will have to thread this at a later point. Sew along the edge.
Fold in half with the right sides together. Pin around the pouch. Sew along the bottom edge and the 2 hemmed edges. Make sure you sew inside the other hemmed stitches.
Only sew up to the folded lip where your cord will be threaded. If you sew to the edge you won’t have a hole to thread your cord through.
Turn your pouch right sides out, using a knitting needle to poke the corners out. Thread your cord through the top.
Pull through and tie 2 knots either end.
Once your beads are dry, thread onto a piece of cord and tie around your neck! If you are feeling fancy why not paint white decorative patterns on them to make each bead different. Don’t forget to varnish your beads as you wouldn’t want the indigo dye to rub off on your clothes. This would make a perfect handmade gift.
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