488 - EMPEROR'S WING - hand dyed velvet with linen back

HAND DYED VELVET CUSHION COVER with invisible side zip and natural linen back.

A flash of pink in a moths wing, this soft pink is just a lovely companion to all colours, gentle and quiet.

Please use images 1 & 2 as color reference.

This purchase is for a CUSHION COVER ONLY FOR BOTH UK AND WORLDWIDE, this will enable you to chose your appropriate filling.

CLEANING:
Dry cleaning is the best way to care for the velvet, the covers are backed with natural unwashed 100% linen, washing can cause the linen to shrink and the velvet will release dyes. Direct sunlight will speed up an otherwise natural fading and softening of the colours.

DYEING PROCESS:
These hand dyed velvet cushion covers are unique pieces with individual tones of colour running through each one, they mix together easily, some hues become more perceptible depending on other tones you combine them with. The direction of the pile will either enhance the depth of colour or lighten it, such is the beauty of velvet. The range varied from soft muted shades through to deep jewelled tones, colours unlike anything you will find coloured in a factory. Now only a very small pile of dyed fabric remains, since I stopped dyeing altogether a few years ago.

Each length of fabric was hand dipped, held and submerged in up to ten different hand tinted waters, it was a strenuous and slow process, all mixed by eye with no “recipes” or measuring, a very meditative process which you needed to lock into, watch and work with.
I strived to have stronger veins of deeper colours running through some of the velvet, others have an intentional mottled effect, some are more even tones. A few small darker marks may occur, not faults but slight imperfections of a hand worked process.

The process I developed over the years minimised water usage and residue dye colour, a process with no need to scour the fabric, nor the need of mordants, without any sun retardant, nor flame retardants. This process ensured the velvet stays beautifully soft and smooth without an undesirable crushed look which I learnt along the way came from some of these processes, some permanently changed the velvet fibres and leaving a slightly raspy feel.

SHIPPING:
Parcels are sent via 24 hr Parcel Force in UK and Royal Mail International tracked everywhere else.

Please mark and special delivery instructions at checkout. Photo evidence of will be taken in UK.