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Homemade Silk Playscape?  

post #1 of 4
Thread Starter 
Has anyone made their own playscape for DC? I'm not sure if I'm using the right word for it, but something like these pictured in the link below. DS said he really wants one and I'd love to give him one bu thte $80 isn't in our budget right now (or for xmas). So I thought I'd ask the smart ladies here if anyone has attempted this themselves and how did it work out? TIA!!!!

http://organicselections.com/catalog.../NightSky3.gif
post #2 of 4
It wouldn't be hard. Just get a very large embriodery hoop, and drape hemmed and dyed farbic from it. To make one as long and full as that you will need several yards of silk.

You can dye it blue very easily using acid dye. You can buy commercial acid dyes which will give you deeper colors and you can't just do in you kitchen. However, I reccomend food based dyes, this includes Wilton icing colors; Koolaid, Crystal light and other similar drink mixes that don't have sugar; easter egg dyes; and actual foods like beets and onion skins. My favorite for deep blues are easter egg dyes but they can be hard to get at this time of year.

It's very easy to dye with food based colors you just need to soak the clean silk in water and vinegar (this is your acid) then mix more vinegar with you coloring. They mix the whole thing in a pot with enogh water to cover the silk and simmer it for a while. If you want the color even stir it frequently, if you want a mottled patterned effect then just leave it alone. When it's cool wash it.

You can paint or stamp on stars after.
post #3 of 4
Thread Starter 
Thank you thank you!!!!
I'm hoping to head to the craft store tomorrow to get supplies!
post #4 of 4
Sweet, I was just coming here to post this.

So does it look like just one big piece of silk or a few that are sewn together?

ETA: So yeah, it looks like one big piece. Any ideas about how big it is?
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Mothering › Forums › Natural Family Living › Arts & Crafts › Homemade Silk Playscape?