Koffie

My first experience on dyeing with coffee! 

On the last art market I participate in, I have to make one product that was inspired by coffee. So suddenly I was thinking about dyeing one of my product with coffee. I was pretty surprised to see a lot of tutorial on dyeing fabric using coffee in the internet. So with no doubt, I start to collect the kit and start the experiment.

I use this tutorial for the experiment, allthought I use my use my own measurement. I use more coffee and more time to soak the fabric. The end result is as what I already expected were not too bold, but it gives some rustic feeling and to be add the incredible coffee aroma that soak after it. The tutorial said you can soak it into soap or laundry it to wash away the aroma, but what's the use on dyeing with coffee if you don't get the smell?!!

PS: I finally made tote bags from the fabrics, the product will be on sale in draoupads's facebook page next week! So be prepare, and I hope you like it.

Love

Kiki

Panchali

For quite some time, I had plan to make one simple outfit but with some intricate dyeing technique in it, I have done some miserably failed experiments involving different kinds of technique, until I finally came up with the latest one, that I must say, I am quite satisfied with the result. So people, hereby I proudly present to you; Panchali.

In sanskrit, Panchali means princess from Panchala, which refer to, surprise surprise.. Drupadi, a mythological figure whom the name became my inspiration in naming the label, draoupads. At first, I just want a name that could represent the colouring technique I used, since there are five process involved, so I'm thinking the word 'Panca', which means literally 'Five'. But I'm not quite into the name, so along came Panchali.

Here I share some photos in the colouring process, I basically did three times dyeing, and then I used the bleaching technique, and finished it with some crazy fabric paint splatter (seeing it again, it's kinda bit Dexter-ish isn't it? Hahaa.. Don't worry there are no dead bodies involves in making the tops ;P).

And here is the end result in close up. By the way I must remind you that the first picture (with model) and the rest of the pictures, are not the same motives *duh.. Well, just in case you wondering how come the result sudenly become yellow.

By the way, if you live in Yogya, around the third or fourth weeks of April, I will do a mini workshop on dyeing in Kedai Belakang cafe. As soon as we've reach the final date, I'll definitely gave you a further notice. Ooh yeah, have you visit my project's blog with Atit from Atita Shop?! The Six Tote Project. Right now we are doing the illustration and the dyeing for the tote, make sure you follow our journey, and come join the discussion and share your thoughts about animal right's awareness especially concerning pet issue.

PS: On April 6th 2013, draoupads will be participating in Pasar K.U.T.U. placed in Kedai Kebun, from 3 PM - 11 PM. If you're in Yogya at the time, make sure to come, there will be plenty of amazing craft and creatively designed product. We will also sale some specially design products, and off course, 'special' price are wating for you ;)

Love

Kiki

Stitch, bind, fold

Some snaps from the latest experiment on shibori techniques

This week I made some of the Indun and Cakra shawls again. But I kinda bored with the dyeing techniques that I've been use for millions of times. I used to do the marbling techniques, well I must say its my favorite dyeing result, but some people start to compare my works with one of the well-known designer that getting famous for her dyeing  works, which is sucks.. because some people think I'm copying her, despite the fact that when I start dyeing, I don't even know her, nor her work :(..

Well, anyhow, I start doing some more research in dyeing techniques, and again, I stumbled upon the shibori techniques. If you remember, I have been try to do one of the technique in my collection, and it went pretty good. So again, I decided to do some shibori experiment, this time I do the pole wrapping in PVC and the a simple rubber band technique. Actually I also do the stitching technique, but it went horrible, because I use a new kind of textile that I haven't been familiar with, and apparently the fiber's gap are bigger than I though. By the way, here are my two most successful results, what do you think?

Oh yeah, if you also interested in doing your own shibori project,  here's one of the tutorial I use in making my own project. ejoy :)

Love

Kiki

Sh*t Happens

Sometimes, things we planned could turn into something different than we expected. In terms of life.. or dye-ing, it could mean two things: First, it could  turn out to be one supreme unintentionally awesomeness, and second, it could end up as a one huge total failure, which.. exactly what was happen to me earlier yesterday when I was trying a new method in coloring. 

Well, lately I've been doing some experiment in batik methods. Apparently, I did good on my first attempt ( I'll post about that later on). So I try it on a different fabric, and thanks to my stupidity, I forgot the first rule about doing your own coloring, which is: 'Always pay attention the nature of your fabric'. Because each fabric has its own unique character, and it will affect the result of any coloring methods you use.
So without thinking further, I just stroke down the malam (the batik's paraffin) on to the fabric of my sample dress, and just like that... I can't get rid of it, I boil it for hours, but I still can't manage to remove all the malam.. like, ever.

So, there you go folks.. shit just happens. 

Note: I am soooo new at this batik methods, I promise to myself I'll take a REAL course on it. But meanwhile, is there any of you who can figure out what's wrong, and perhaps inform me, what should I suppose to do, regarding doing batik method in a thin and sheer fabric? Big thanks for the info!

Love

Kiki

A Peek on September

Phew.. its been a long time I know.. I'm starting to wonder if loose my ability to sew or dye. There's a lot of thing to catch up and more lots of things to tell you about. But meanwhile, here's some peek of the process of our latest collection. Hope you'll like it, and excited to greet it as much as I do. :)

- One of the end result color for the dresses

- Some of my color palette for this time collection, been totally obsessed with maroon and grey I tell ya

- I love how the color of the glove, blends with the dyeing color. 

- Guess what, I present you a new draoupads product: tights! Be sure to watch for it

- The preparation for the photo shoot. Yep, lots of big jewelry, and I mean..big.

Oh, by the way, the collection are planed to be uploaded at Wednesday afternoon. The exact time will be announce on Facebook and Twitter. 

And yeah, off course.. Its been reeeeeeeeally great to see you again. :). 

Big Love

Kiki

The Circle Married the Line

If you ask me; "what was my favorite process in producing draoupads?" my answer would definitely be the experimentation part. Trying new techniques and items, its always fun. Well, yesterday I did some test in dyeing, one of it were doing the yarn techniques. 

The technique were already known in the jumputan or shibori. The idea is very simple, the concept is very simple, basically you just fold the fabric into small folding, end then bind it with yarn, and dye it. So I saw this old Japanese lady in youtube, folding and binding the fabric in such crrraaaazy speed, so I think "hmm..okay, it won't be that hard" untill I finally try it. Well, people... If you think I was wrong because I ended up having such a hard time in folding and binding the fabric... you are right. Maaaann...off course, the old lady has been doing it for years! While me, I spent almost an hour only to fold one fabric! nuts.

Until came to the dipping part, and yess I loooove the result! You know, in the tie dye process, the best moment is definitely when you have to unveil the final result, after the dyeing is done, because there is always a nice surprise that you'll meet at the end of the coloring part. And this is not an exception.

I finally use the end fabric as a part of draoupads next shawl collection. Wait for the news and I hope you'll like it! :)

A Beautiful Mess

Fiuh... a labour of loooove indeed. My life's been pretty mess lately (literary)! Its been such a cr..aaaaaazy week; cuting, diping, sewing, cuting diping, sewing, shoping supplies and more cuting, diping and sewing. But it's worth an effort for sure! :) 

And Leslie,.. My... She's just doing such an incredible work, good job baby..! #smooch

Yesss, I know.. I need to learn the word "or ga ni ze". It's a plane crash indeed...

Salam Hangat

Kiki

Back in the Hot Tub

The show's not over ladies and gentlemen! More shawls and much surprise, are still going to be launched!

 I've always love to share some draoupads process, and here are some (more):

The Collection will be launch (again) at Monday, June 26th!

Salam Hangat
Kiki

Back on Track

The show must go on! Yup, we're producing again! Different place, same spirit! 

More newborn baby with  more dyeing process. This time were playing in unisex, dark and manly  colors with  a new dyeing techniques applied. Again, its a new thing for draoupads.

Cross my finger and hope you'll like the result ;)

Salam Hangat

Kiki

New label for a new start :)

Getting super excited with the new label! I used to made the label myself, but by the time I guess there was too much to do, and it waste pretty much energy, so I decided to order it. 

To mantain the personal feelings in it, I used my own handwriting, just like I did in the first label,

And thank god, I looooove the result! :)

So, what do you think? ;)

Salam Hangat 

Kiki

Paket-Paket Asmara

Oke, first of all..... NO.. This posting have noooo conection with film India, Raam Punjabi sinetron, another song from Kangen Band, nor anything about the book bomb package (walaupun tidak bisa dipungkiri berita tentang salah duga paket bom, sungguh hiburan yang berharga.. especially that women undies part.. Wakakkaaakkk..)

Saya selalu senang mendapat kado, tidak peduli isinya cuma seperangkat pensil warna, buku atau kalung berlian, baiklah, saya terlalu mengada-ada, I don't even think I will wear it, if get one.. Wait,.. I don't even think I WILL get one....  (kecuali saya adalah syahrini). 

Perasaan membuka perlahan kertas kado, membaca kartu ucapan, all the wandering questions about " wonder what's inside it". It's fun to know how someone wants to put some effort for me. And that's exactly the kind of feelings I want people who buy my shawl  feels when they opening my package. Lila says I put too much effort for my draoupads packaging (I can spend one whole day only to do some draoupads packaging), but I really don't think it that way... From the way they appreciate my work, I do believe its worth an effort!! :)

Off course, its not a gift when there's no greeting card attached on it!

And let me introduce my first (and only) fans: Coki. Its exactly the piece of meat covered with brown fur and zero brain, whom peacefully sleeping beside my feet. This is Lila n Abu's dog, it was our office dog, well that's a long story. He is my most loyal mate in most draoupads process, including the packaging part.

So people, if you order one of draoupads shawl, this is approximately what you will get ;)

For all people who will and already receiving this, hope you enjoy it!

Salam Hangat
Kiki

More Dye-ing Pictures!

I can't lie that the most fun of the project is to mix and matching the colors. Jadi jangan heran, kalo biasanya (setidaknya dalam tiga koleksi terakhir) saya cukup konsisten dengan nuansa warna yang dihadirkan pada tiap koleksi, kali ini bisa dibilang... Tidak! Hahahhaa.. oke, "kurang".. Saya tetap mempertahankan warna-warna pastel, dusty, sedikit suram atau kalo kata Imel dari Sew Stories, warna warna "blusuk", hehehehe... Tapi kali ini nuansa warna yang saya hadirkan cukup 'sporadis' ;P. Tiap helainya tidak kurang melewati tiga sampai lima kali proses pencelupan.

Untuk koleksi ini, saya menggunakan pewarna yang berbeda, yaitu Dylon, harganya lebih mahal dari Nylon; 16ribu rupiah per warna, tapi kualitasnya jelas lebih bagus (terbukti saat saya kurang puas dengan warna celupan yang saya hasilkan, butuh waktu semalaman direndam pemutih, sampai warnanya benar-benar luntur ;P). Sebetulnya jika harus memilih ,saya lebih memilih untuk menggunakan pewarna alami, tapi pada saat itu saya belum tahu dimana saya bisa mendapatkan pewarna alami terutama di Indonesia. Semoga koleksi tie dye selanjutnya bisa mulai pake pewarna alami ya..:)

And here's one of the work result. Hope you'll like it ;)
Cerita dibalik koleksi ini menyusul di postingan selanjutnya ya..

There you go! More pictures from my latest draoupads project! What a fun process indeed :)

Salam Hangat

Kiki

3 days of Dye-ing

Tie dye on the highway - see the garlands in your hair

If you’re going my way, come along

What a beautiful sky - we just had to stop and stare

See the beautiful colours fill the air

(Oh, just the messengers of peace)

-Robert Plant-

Tie dye is a method. Indeed. Yup, dan beberapa hari yang lalu untuk pertama kalinya saya mencoba melakukan tie dye, dan untuk tiga hari berturut-turut setelahnya. Hahahahaa... Lila bilang saya sudah persis seperti buruh pabrik yang dari pagi sampe sore ngga berhenti kerja n cuma istirahat sebentar buat makan siang. Pada hari ketiga, saat hampir seluruh hasil tie dye saya kering, saya tiba-tiba kebingungan, 'kok kaki pegel banget ya', setelah diingat, ternyata selama tiga hari itu, selama kurang lebih 7 jam kerja, saya hampir tidak duduk sama sekali!He.. But overall, it was nothing but fun! :) 

Here are some trial n error pictures, and a sneak peak for draoupads next colletion! Eerrrr...agak deg-degan karena modelnya berbeda sekali dengan draoupads sebelum-sebelumny.. Hope you all like it :|

Pewarna yang saya gunakan pada hari pertama percobaan, Tie dyeing, merkny Nilon, beli di Toko Satria (Pasar Beringharjo), harganya? cukup seribu rupiah saja sodara-sodara!! Oya, satu lagi penting buat tie dye: Karet gelang yang banyak, seriously.. Banyak.

Saya agak malas membuat teknik lipatan dengan hasil yang standar (macam baju 'laskar pelangi' yang banyak dijual di pasar). Jadi saya mencoba mereka-reka lipatan lain, dan lain dan lain (yang akan dilihatkan di postingan selanjutnya)

Yuuhuuu... and here comes the best part: Dyeing!! Warna ini hasil eksperimen, saya mencampur warna krem dengan sedikit warna pink. Proses pencelupan harus dilakukan dengan air mendidih, dan ditunggu beberapa saat. Sebenarnya di keterangan pewarna proses dilakukan selama 60-90menit, hehehee... tapi berhubung saya orang yang 'sabar', jadi masing-masing warna cuma saya celup paling lama 20menit ;P

Oke, foto-foto proses selanjutnya nyusul yap.. berikut hasil jadinya. 

Salam Hangat

Kiki