The Design Process
Natural silk is pinned to a frame and stretched taut so the surface is smooth. All dyes are prepared and ready for painting. For a wet and dry effect the silk is painted and dried. Then another layer of design is painted over this to give depth to the many varying effects.
In the process of silk sculpting, a base piece is layered with many colours and worked onto a top piece of silk to create an opalesque effect of merging and blending colours.
The plain colours are hand dipped and hand dried to ensure an even surface.
All of the gutta work is drawn freehand with many years experience in design and skill. When the design is dry painting begins.
It takes days to finish one of the larger wall hangings. Every moment is enjoyable watching the colours unfold, each telling their unique story. Each piece is individual, even if they appear similar, they are never the same.
They are rolled into paper and steamed for hours to set the colours. After this process they are washed to remove excess dye, pressed ready to cut and sew.