Daily Notes- September 17

Relaxed Slipcover.

The woman who posted this picture on her blog "Content in a Cottage" yesterday wondered if the cutting, sewing, making of this relaxed slipcover would be easy or difficult.  I learned early on--that a muslin pattern needs to be made first.  Large pieces of plain inexpensive muslin cut and pinned.  Not easy. But once you have a pattern--then it's easy.

What I like about this chair is the easy comfort it implies.  The take it off, wash, dry and put it back on-ness of it.  And the contrast of the pillow and the slipcover.  The chair looks comfortable.

Cloudy today.  Not as humid but warm.  My friend and I had coffee out back of the Bohemian.  Where they have a few tables and chairs.  Might be our last chance for outdoor coffee and talk but October could surprise us and be warm and sunny.

I was surprised by the gift my friend gave me.  A packet of Indigo seeds.  Japanese Indigo.  I can start them in late Spring for growing out in the garden once the threat of frost is over.  And instructions for gathering more seeds for future years.  She had no idea that I had wanted to try dyeing with indigo but.......well, I am over the moon delighted.  The Seed Gatherer wrote directions on germination (high viability) and later seed gathering in December or January if cut stems (with flowers) are allowed to root in water, in a warmer than outdoors space, until they produce seeds.  Which is something I can do.  I over wintered willow stems and the stems from an annual mint last Winter.  So adding Indigo stems to my Winter rooting jars will be fun.  Next winter.

I was reading up on eco printing and now need to include some rust and iron water to my methods. Also I need to let the cloth dry completely before rinsing it out if I want things to be darker.  I collected a bag of loose onion skins (red) at the grocery yesterday.  Cleaning up the onion display. and I have asked my daughter to be on the lookout for an old cast iron or copper pot for me to use. She has access to the Georgetown Mall (dump) and occasionally finds something interesting.  there are still leaves on the purple smoke bush so I can try to print cloth again but with the rust/iron water.  Also I read that using pennies minted before 1982 will provide copper to the dye water.  

I'm off the sort thru G's huge coin jar.