A Shibori Leaf on Linen

I had my doubts about this one. Lots and lots of stitching and after dyeing I had a hard time taking the stitches out. The color of the upholstery thread I used and the cloth were pretty much the same color so it was hard to know if I was clipping the linen or the stitches. I pre-dyed the linen a light blue before stitching to make sure it would take the dye. I was pretty sure it was linen but it could have been cotton and colorhue dyes will not dye cotton. Anyway, here's the process. Click on the photos for a closer view.

leaf drawn on linen with fade away marking pen

completely stitched

all threads pulled and knotted--that was tricky

in the dye bath about half an hour

and the leaf...this picture shows the true color

 When I went to take this out of the dryer, I thought to myself that this looks like ideal light conditions to take a picture given the cloudy day here. It is an enclosed space with a light behind it and it worked.