FAME group Cyanotypes

A group of ten FAME (Fiber Artists Meet and Exchange) members got together to try out cyanotyping.

Cyanotype is a photographic printing process that produces a cyan-blue print. Engineers used the process well into the 20th century as a simple and low-cost process to produce copies of drawings, referred to as blueprints. The process uses two chemicals: ammonium iron(III) citrate and potassium ferricyanide.

First, items were placed/pinned onto the chemically treated 8"squares of cotton.  Then they are exposed to the sun for 10 minutes.  Of course the sun in Arizona is very intense, so this is a great place to do this activity!

A couple of squares of cotton being exposed to the sun.
Notice the small dixie cups in the top photo are making a cast shadow.

These two pieces are using botanical foliage from the area to cast the shadow.

Left is a variety of foliage, the right is a combination of household items.

Marj and Susan relax as Marj keeps track of the 10 minute exposure time.

Second, the exposed fabric needs to be rinsed to stop the chemical process.  We used a series of three buckets:  first, second and third rinse, until the fabric ran clear.

Rinsing the fabric in buckets in the driveway.

Third, the fabric needs to cure in the sun.  After the fabric rinses clear, wring it out and then let it dry in the sun.  We set the fabric pieces on the bushes beside the driveway.  That worked fine as they were in the sun, but the dust off the leaves seemed to get sucked into the drying cloth leaving a brown stain.  No problem though, as it washed off.  It might be better to use a clothes line.  Just don't forget to get it exposed to the sun, otherwise the resulting blue colour will be lighter.

Left fabric is image of sealing rings and other household items.  Right is the image resulting from the dixie cups.

More fabric drying on the bushes beside the driveway.
I wonder what the neighbours thought?!

Left - cedar bough.
Middle - elastics.
Right - sewing supplies

We gathered indoors, where it was cooler, to do show and tell.

Linda shows us a piece she has begun work on using the fabric we painted last meeting
using SetaColor Paints on wooden frames at Mad Bs Quilt and Sew.

Meredith showed us a lovely art quilt she just got back from the long arm artist she hires.
Meredith planned out the stitching for the long armer to use in the sky.  Can you see the sun?
Beautiful!!  Meredith says she used all store bought fabrics.

Another Show and Tell of Meredith's.
We all agreed that this same design could be made using Christmas fabrics!!