TUTORIAL: How to Dye Eggs with Silk

It's that time of year, Easter in the Christian world. Happy Easter to those that celebrate from my egg laden table to yours! At my house, like most creative activities, dying Easter eggs is an art, we try new techniques each year.

This year, this video tutorial on how to dye eggs with silk scarves was shared by a few of my facebook friends. I thought, heck, that looks easy and lovely, I will give it a try. I found the instructions a little sparse, so I turned to Martha to fill in the blanks.

Materials:

-eggs (as few or many as you want, my scarf was enough for 9 and and I didn't want to do a 2nd batch)
-silk scarf, neckties, boxers, shirts, fabric, etc. (must be 100% silk) mine was $2.99 at Goodwill. (Tip: look for small scale prints, you will enjoy the tiny details on your egss, or mix and match, I wouldn't go much larger than the print I have featured or you will get mostly solid eggs).
-scissors-white fabric (anything, old sheet, cotton muslin, old tablecloth etc.)
-twist ties (plastic coated if you have them otherwise paper coated works, I just found they dissolved in the water and were harder to remove).
-3 tablespoons white vinegar-water
-non-reactive pot (I used metal successfully, though Martha suggests glass or enamel and the video uses enamel)
-stove
-vegetable oil (optional - to give shine to finished eggs)

Step 1:
Thrift, raid your closet or purchase new, something made of silk. You will be cutting it into pieces and the dye will bleed in the hot water so make sure it is something you are willing to part with. Make sure whatever you use is 100% silk as they dye process used in dying natural fibers such as silk is what allows the dye to transfer to your eggs...you know you your fancy clothes need to be washed in cold water? This is why, they are not color fast in hot water.

Step 2:
Cut your silk into 7" x 7" squares. Note: many silks have rich enough dye that you can reuse them 2-5 times (depending on lots of factors) to dye eggs. Cut your white fabric into 7" x 7" squares.

Step 3: 
Wrap your eggs tightly with the silk squares. The video shows scrunching them around a broad side, I did mine scrunching them at the bottom (broader end) because I thought it would yield a better transfer. You can experiment. This is an art, not a science so have fun. The imperfections add to the beauty. Secure with a twist tie.

Step 4:
Wrap the silk in the white fabric. Make sure you tuck the tails inside as this will limit how much dye seeps into the water and will give you cleaner color and print transfers.

Step 5:

Place the wrapped eggs into the pot, fill with enough water so that the eggs are fully submerged. Don't pack too tightly with eggs as you want room for the water to circulate around the eggs to aid in the dye transfer. Add 3 tablespoons white vinegar.

Step 6:
Put pot on stove on high. Bring to a boil. Boil for 15 minutes. Remove egg packets from water, leave wrapped to cool.

Step 7:

Once the wrapped eggs are cooled, remove the wrappings. Remember, you can reuse this silk 2-5 times. With the white fabric, use your best judgement, if it soaked in a lot of dye, maybe cut fresh pieces next time, if only a little dye was absorbed

Step 8: Optional
If you want a shiny finish to the eggs, lightly brush them with vegetable oil. Once you let the oil dry a little you can gently rub off the excess with a dish towel.

Enjoy!

(Disclaimer, there are 2 blown eggs mixed in to fill the display from mom's adventures in Ukranian egg decorating from a few years ago (they are holding up nicely!))

STYLE IDEAS: How to Wear Vintage Scarves

Vintage scarves, next to obi belts are one of my favorite go to accessories for changing up a look. There are so many shapes of scarves available and they can be worn in a number of fun ways, giving you a different look each time. Scarves are a great way to add a punch of color to an outfit; try out a new print, color or style without spending a lot of money or committing to a whole outfit.

My personal stash contains a mix of vintage and new scarves. Tons of different shapes and a rainbow of prints and colors. Here are several ways to style different shapes of scarves.

SQUARE
These are my three favorite ways to style square scarves. I know there are others but these are my standbys. To achieve this look, fold the scarf in half into a triangle. With the fold facing your neck and while holding both points of the fold, allow the triangle to fall in front of you. Wrap the points behind your neck and allow them to fall back in front. This is a great look to use when layering your outfits. I especially like it in winter as it adds warmth at your neck, particularly for shirts with lower necklines.
Hip scarves are a fun way to change the look of an outfit. Again, fold the scarf in half into a triangle. Wrap the folded side around your waist and tie in knot at your hip.

Square scarves can be worn as headbands too. Again, fold in half into triangle. You can fold it over itself several times from either direction. About 2" is a good width of fold. Tie ends below hair at nape of neck. If it is long enough, the same method can be used to tie it around your waist as a belt.
Available at YazBerry: 1960s Paisley Scarf - Lavender - YazBerry - Vintage

LONG RECTANGLE
This is probably one of the most versatile scarf shapes. You can use it in all of the styles listed above for the square scarf, only you don't have to fold it in half into a triangle. You may wish to fold it in half lengthwise somewhat depending on it's width.
One of my favorite ways to wear a long rectangle scarf is as an obi style sash belt. This is a great solution (like the obi belts) to quickly custom tailor a look that is too big in the waist. I especially like it on tunic length shirts and on dresses.
1980s Pansy Scarf - Magenta and Purple - YazBerry - VintageLong rectangle scarves can be folded into belts too. A fun alternative to a 'regular' belt.

Another way to wear it around your neck is what I call the noose style. Fold the scarf in half lengthwise, hold the loop in front of your neck, wrap the ends around the back of your neck and feed them through the loop in front. Pull tight (not too tight or the noose might work).

TRIANGLE SCARF
Many shawls are this shape, though I have also found hip scarves in this shape as well. All of the styles used for the square scarf work perfectly for triangle scarves. They can also be worn like a belt if you fold them over themselves. What's nice is that they are often longer than your square scarves giving you a different look. If the are large enough to be a shawl they may not work as a headband or belt, but could be styled all of the other ways.

Have fun, be daring and creative. Go find some scarves and let them surprise you. I promise people will be impressed with the fun flare a scarf adds to your outfit.

For more images of ways to style scarves and to view my collection of vintage scarves, visit my YazBerryFashion.Etsy.com store.

Style Ideas: How to Wear an Obi Belt

I can honestly say that obi belts are by far my favorite accessory. Followed by vintage scarves as a close second. I love the versatility they offer with dressing. You can wear them with so many things to give a pop of color or texture to an outfit. They can be used to faux-tailor clothes to fit you perfectly.

Something that I have been pleased and surprised by is how obi belts compliment many body types: I like them to nip in around my waist, which is narrower than my hips and shoulders. They look great on long lanky women around the hips. I also like them on women with rectangular torsos because it creates the illusion of a waist.

Obi belts give you options to change the look of a tunic length shirt or sweater. This is one of my personal signature obi looks. (LOVE IT!). I apologize for the dark images, I am still adjusting to working with the low lighting in my new workspace.












This obi can be found in my store.

I discovered almost accidentally while working in my unheated artist's stall on Artists' Row in Salem, MA, this fall that obi belts look oh so fab topping a classic trench coat. I wore it with this narrower obi in the fall, but am equally as pleased with the funky look the wide obi gives this classic style.












This obi is not yet available in my store, if you love it, send me a note, I would be happy to list it for you.

Because I have broad shoulders and hips and a narrower waist, I tend to prefer looks that nip in at the waist or are well tailored for my silhouette. Obi belts are a quick easy faux-tailoring fix when stuff is just too loose looking. I use them over big, cozy sweaters, fun vintage dresses that are a size or two too big, but the print/look/label was too good to pass up, knit tops that could use a little extra shape.

You name it, I've obi'ed it. Here is a sweater I prefer to wear with an obi. I wanted to show a dress too, but the obi belt I have that looks good with a few of my dresses is MIA for the moment. I am living out of boxes still...things in the house, things in the garage...slowly assembly a life.












Again, this obi belt isn't available in my store yet but I would be happy to list it for you. Just let me know.

I mentioned that obi belts flatter a lot of different body types. Here are several real women, who modeled in my Ahht For Peeps, Wearable Art Fashion Show in Salem, MA this summer. I invited members of the community to model my looks. I took it a step further and encouraged them to pick out the pieces they wanted to model and create a look they felt comfortable wearing. Real people, real fashion.

The first two are what I would describe as lanky women, long and lean with long torsos. One wears the obi with the wide part to the back giving it a low, loose look. The second wears it in front but low, she really makes this apron flavored obi look sassy! Love it.












The model on the left is wearing this obi. The model on the right is wearing an obi not yet available in my store, but if you dig it, let me know and I can list it for you.

These two women have narrow hips and long lean legs. Their torsos are more rectangular in nature, often giving the sense of no waist. Here they both look fabulous in obi belts, which create the illusion of a waist.













The obi on the left is available here. The obi on the right is available here.

P.S. I love taking on custom obi orders. I have a nice selection of authentic antique Japanese kimono obi fabric and a booming stash of vintage neckties. Let me know what you are looking for. I would love to create it for you. berry (at) yazberry (dot) com. I love using recycled materials. Most of my obis are made from either antique Japanese obi fabric, vintage neckties or upholstery samples. I do mix in new materials as well, but find so much inspiration from recycled materials.

My current obi belt collection is available in my store. However, if you saw something in the pictures from my Artists' Row store, chances are it is not yet available online but I do have it, send me a message and I will confirm either way.

TUTORIAL: Fabric Covered Bulletin Board

I've been offered retail space in Northfield, MN and was looking for very inexpensive display ideas to jazz up a 3"x3" black metal grid display panel and to economize on the space (2'x 5' total). The goal was to find a creative, effective, space efficient idea that wouldn't cost me much dough -re-mi.

I'd been dying to check out a newer thrift shop in Northfield (new to me) and was glad I did. I scored a 2' x 1.5' bulletin board for a buck! The cork wasn't pretty, but that is totally okay, I planned to cover it in fabric anyway. I like the idea of displaying jewelry within frames, but needed something large enough to house a lot of jewelry. This fit the bill. MATERIALS:
-bulletin board
-fabric (larger than bulletin board)
-iron
-scissors
-staples, tacks or straight pins.

1.) To get started you will need a bulletin board. Any size will do. Pick out a fabric you like to use to cover it. Something stiffer or heavier is better as it won't sag or show the pin marks as much as finer fabrics. I used some sort of heavy woven rayon, it reminds be of 'burlap-lite'.

Depending on what you want to use your bulletin board for will help you decide what fabric to use. If you're using it on a wall in a room, think of a fun print that compliments your space. Pictures and notes will jump off nicely. If you are using it for jewelry display like I am, consider a solid color, or a very small scale/monotone print or texture.

I go back and forth as to whether I find jewelry pops better on a light or dark background. It all depends on the jewelry and the lighting. I opted for navy blue this time around. I thought it would make the subtle natural frame pop more and give me that framed jewelry look I was hoping for.

2.) Make sure you have a piece of fabric a little larger than the bulletin board. Once you have picked out your fabric, iron it. Then place it over the board and cut around the edges. IMPORTANT: make sure you cut 1/2"-1" extra on each side as you will be tucking this under to give a finished edge to your look.

3.) Once you have your fabric cut, center it over the cork. I found it works best to start in the center of the longest edge. Fold the edge of the fabric under. Here you get to make another style decision: staples, tacks or pins. I find staples to be quick and to give you a long lasting hold. Tacks are also good. Pins may need to be readjusted periodically to keep the fabric taught. Once you have decided which sharp implement to use, tack down the edge of the fabric in one spot.

4.) Smooth out the fabric and pull it tight to the opposite side. Fold under the fabric edge and tack it down.

5.) Repeat this step working your way from the middle out. Once you reach the corners, you will have to fold down the edges of both sides at once.

6.) As with the long sides, start in the center, fold fabric under and tack. Pull taught to opposite side, fold fabric under and tack. Repeat until all edges are securely tacked down.

7.) Fin!

Here are some pictures of my finished fabric covered bulletin board.


And here it is in action!

TUTORIAL: Handmade Christmas Stockings!

Steve & I decided to make our own Christmas Stockings for our new apartment!

Steve likes classic designs and I have a serious taste for vintage. He wanted a fur trimmed red stocking. I wanted an over the top, Victorian looking, feather clad creation. So, we set off to make two very different stockings. Here are two sets of instructions, one for a lined stocking (which can be applied to any shape) and one for an unlined stocking.

I'm proud of Steve, he made most of his stocking on his own. *High Five*

MATERIALS:
-Sewing Machine
-1/2 yard fabric (plus 1/2 yard lining fabric for lined stocking)
-Embellishments of choice
-Matching thread
-Scissors
-Paper (newspaper & a marker work great)
-Iron
-Pencil or Marker
-Pins

Takes about 1 hour.

UNLINED STOCKING:
I recommend using upholstery fabric. This is the only fabric I would use for unlined stockings as it is rigid. If you want to use a printed cotton, or other light weight material, I recommend the LINED STOCKING, see instructions below.

1. Draw your pattern on paper. Be creative! It's fun. Make the opening wide enough to fit the type of gifts you expect to receive in your stocking. 6" minimum is advised. 8" is probably average.

2. Once you have your outline, you need to draw a second line 3/8" minimum outside of your first line. This is your seam allowance. Your first line is your 'stitch line'. Cut out your pattern.

3. Cut out 1 stocking out of your heavy weight fabric. This is your front. Flip the pattern over and cut out a second stocking. This is your back.

4. Turn in the top edge twice so you have a clean edge. Iron. Stitch.

5. Finish the raw edges either by serging, zigzagging or using pinking shears.

6. Cut a piece of fabric about 4" by 8". This is your loop. Fold in ends, iron. Fold in the raw edges, fold in second time. Iron, stitch open edges.

7. Fold loop in half, pin loop to inside edge of opening of back piece. Stitch. Reinforce a couple of times. Be sure you sew it to the corner you intend to hang it from.

8. Place the two stocking pieces right sides together. Pin. Stitch around edges leaving the top open and back stitching at ends.

9. Clip rounded seam allowances up to stitching. DO NOT cut the stitched line. This is so your curves are crisper when you turn it right side out. (If your design has pointy areas like mine, clip off the corners as shown).

10. Turn and press. Your stocking is ready to decorate. I found the feathers at JoAnn Fabrics and added a little tulle bow.

11. Hang, enjoy and fill with lots of presents!


LINED STOCKING
This is very similar to the unlined stocking, however it is intended to reinforce lightweight fabrics such as cottons. You will be much happier with the final look and functionality if you line your light weight fabrics. There are various ways you can line your stocking. These are details for just one variation.

1. Draw your pattern on paper. Be creative! It's fun. Make the opening wide enough to fit the type of gifts you expect to receive in your stocking. 6" minimum is advised. 8" is probably average.

2. Once you have your outline, you need to draw a second line about 1" outside of your first line. This is your seam allowance. This is wider than the unlined pattern as you will be turning it twice and have 2 stitch lines to hide your raw edges (further explanation below). Your first line is your final size. Cut out your pattern.

3. Cut out 1 stocking out of your outer fabric. This is your front. Flip the pattern over and cut out a second stocking out of your outer. This is your back. Cut two of liner. If liner is plain no need to flip the pattern piece. If it is printed or there is an obvious right side, flip as you did with the outer. You will have 4 pieces after this step.


4. Pin liner pieces to right side of both outer pieces. Stitch around all edges leaving a 4" minimum hole for turning.

5. Clip rounded seam allowances up to stitching. DO NOT cut the stitched line. This is so your curves are crisper when you turn it right side out. Turn and iron.

6. Fold in opening edges, pin. Pin front to back right sides together. Stitch around edges leaving the top open and back stitching at ends.

7. Cut a piece of fabric about 4" by 8". This is your loop. Fold in ends, iron. Fold in the raw edges, fold in second time. Iron, stitch open edges.


8. Fold loop in half, pin to inside of back piece. Stitch. Reinforce a couple of times. Be sure you sew it to the corner you intend to hang it from.

9. Your stocking is ready to decorate.

10. To trim with fur (optional) cut a piece 2x the width of the opening plus 1" for seam allowances on either end. Cut it the height you wish. Mine is about 4". Please note, this is not the only way to decorate with fur cuff, it is simply the variation I chose. Right sides together, stitch the short ends together. Turn. Fold under raw edges, pin around opening of stocking. Take care not to pin the front & back of the stocking to each other. Stitch around both long edges of the stocking. Be sure to put the 'arm' of your machine into the opening of the stocking so you don't stitch the front to the back.

11. Hang, enjoy and fill with lots of presents!