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How to tie and dye geode style tie dye. Flowy watercolor tips. Supplies you need, and step by step guides for how I dye shirts. Tie dye Info and tutorials for geode tie dye , flowy ice dye , and what I call the "cold mist method." Find Corky's process in YouTube videos or most platforms @ Corky Lorenz. Flowy ice dye See info about ice dye to get a watercolor look. Geode tie dye How to tie dye geodes style , with crisp concentric lines that look like agates. Soda Ash How to use soda ash for tie dye to get bright, long lasting color. Rinsing How to rinse your tie dye item after the batch time is up. Tools & Supplies Here's a list of supplies I use for tie dye. You don't need all of them to get started. Tie dye questions Can you reuse soda ash water? Soda ash water stays good forever. Just keep a lid on it so it won't evaporate. If you happen to put an item in there that releases dye, you can put a white item in to see if it will soak up the dye molecules. Do some colors need different amounts? Yes, some colors are way more potent than others! If you are ordering from Dharma, they will indicate which colors need difference ratios to be at full strength. Does the size of the ice matter? Crushed ice melts faster and spreads dye more softly. Big cubes melt slower and give stronger separation between colors. Both can work, it depends on the effect you want. Why is my shirt dull after rinsing? Dye that didn’t bond gets washed away. Dull results can come from under-batching, low soda ash, or not enough dye powder in the first place. Why does black split into other colors? Many black dyes are blends of other pigments. As the ice melts, the components separate, creating outlines of blue, red, or green. This is normal and often desirable. What’s the best fabric for ice dye? 100% cotton or rayon usually gives the best results. Cotton/poly blends can work but won’t absorb color evenly. Avoid anything labeled “colorfast.” Can you speed up the ice melting? You can, but it’s risky. Using heat or breaking up the ice early might reduce detail and cause uneven saturation. Slow melts usually give cleaner flowy lines. Where do you get your dye? I usually get my fiber reactive dye from Dharma Trading Co. They have many kinds of dye, so make sure you're looking at fiber reactive procion dye. Why do you use ice instead of bottles? I love the way ice slowly pushes dye through the fabric, by gravity, creating organic patterns. It looks more like something that would occur in nature. How do you keep the white areas white? It helps the item batch the full 24 hours so excess dye has time to exhaust. Then, rinse with cold water until it runs mostly clear. That helps the white areas stay clean. What is the cold mist method? The cold mist method is a process I use to layer color into dry, tied shirts using powdered dye and a misting nozzle, with cold water. How long does it have to batch? Procion dyes take about 24 hours to fully set, at room temp. If you use heat, you can speed up batch time. Blues usually turn out better with full batch time of 24 hours. Why don't pink geodes saturate well? Even with added effort, they tend to stay on the surface or miss areas under the sinew. I often black or orange to help reach the areas they miss. What does soda ash do? Soda ash is what makes the chemical reaction happen, that makes the color permanent on your shirt. How fast should the ice melt? If the ice melts too fast, like within an hour, you can lose detail and get washed out areas. Slow it down to get more even results. Why are my colors muddy? Overlapping complementary colors makes muddled colors. For example, red next to green will make a dark brown.

Choose your size to order. Corky will create a shirt just for you, and you get a fun surprise. Surprise shirt Choose your size, and get a surprise dyed shirt! Corky will choose the colors, and send a unique item made for you. Update 1/19/25 Shirts are currently sold out. You can sign up for alerts when they are available or see sweatshirts . This batch of surprise ice dye shirts is made with a limited color palette, for a refined tie dye style. Not too loud, but unique enough to feel artsy wearing it. Your shirt will ship in 5-7 days. If you check out multiple times, I will combine orders and ship in one package. Examples Here are 3 colorway examples of past dyed garments.

Corky Lorenz is a photographer who documents local life in Elkhart, Indiana. See events, people, and process notes. Corky Lorenz A photographer documenting creative work in Elkhart, Indiana. Dye Browse tutorials for tie dye . Sewing How to sew cloth pads. Events See large events like the Marshall County Blueberry Fest , or smaller events like the Urban Artisan Market .

Videos, PDF sewing patterns, and step by step instructions for how to sew your own washable cloth pads. Sewing Cloth Pads Tutorials, resources, sewing patterns for sewing your own cloth menstrual pads. Instructions Here are the main steps for sewing cloth pads . Videos Here's a list of YouTube videos about cloth pads that are helpful. Free sewing pattern Download the starter PDF from this page. Fabric See the types of fabric to get for sewing pads. Washing See info and steps for washing your cloth pads . All sewing patterns See all available sewing patterns on Etsy. Sewing Group This is the Versodile Facebook group with pad sewing discussion and help.

Noticing your RV battery stops around 80%? Learn how to set the RecPro converter’s dial for lead-acid or lithium batteries, what the LED flicker means, and why smart charging mode protects battery life. Why is my RV battery not fully charging? If your RV battery stops charging around 80% when using a RecPro converter, it’s usually working as intended. Most RecPro converters ship in four-stage smart charging mode, which limits charge to protect lead-acid batteries and extend their lifespan. Understanding the Converter Dial On RecPro converters, there’s a small adjustable dial called a potentiometer. It controls both the charging mode and the voltage level. The sticker beside it can be confusing, but here’s how to read it: The left side of the dial controls four-stage smart charging, designed for lead-acid batteries. The right side of the dial is intended for lithium-ion batteries or for powering appliances directly in your RV. Once you’ve chosen the correct side for your setup, you can fine-tune the voltage: Lower voltage: turn the dial toward the top. Higher voltage: turn the dial toward the side you’re using. Factory Default Settings Converters are typically shipped in four-stage smart charging mode (the left side of the dial). If you’re not sure which mode yours is in, you can tell by watching the LED light indicator while turning the dial with a screwdriver. When the LED flickers, that means you’ve crossed over to the other side of the dial, switching between smart charging and lithium/direct power modes. Fine-Tuning and Voltage Adjustment For a more precise setup, you can use a multimeter to check the output voltage while adjusting the potentiometer. This helps confirm you’re within the proper range for your specific battery. Keep in mind that different battery types require different voltage targets for optimal charging. You should always check the manual or specifications for your battery brand to confirm the best settings, especially for lithium batteries, which can vary in chemistry and built-in protection systems. If you’re just trying to get oriented with the dial and make sure your converter is working correctly, these general guidelines will help you get in the right direction. Why It Stops Around 80% If your converter seems to charge your lead-acid battery only up to about 80%, that’s usually by design. In four-stage smart charging mode, the converter is programmed to stop before hitting full voltage to prolong the battery’s lifespan. Fully charging a lead-acid battery every time can cause unnecessary stress and shorten its life.Lithium batteries may charge differently and reach higher levels depending on how the converter and BMS are configured. In Short Left side of the dial: smart charging (lead-acid) Right side: lithium or direct power mode LED flicker: indicates switching between modes Multimeter: use to fine-tune voltage 80% charge: normal for smart charging mode Always check your battery manual: ideal voltages vary by type If your converter is working correctly but your battery isn’t quite reaching 100% it doesn’t mean something’s broken, it’s probably doing exactly what it should. Corky Lorenz November 7, 2025

A list of fabric types for sewing cloth pads. Fabric for Cloth Pads Here's a description and list of common types of fabrics used to sew your own washable cloth pads. Core This is the absorbent layer in the pad, sandwiched between the topper and backer. There are also many options for core fabrics, that change how much liquid can be held or how fast it will absorb. You can purchase fabrics online, in store, or use upcycled fabric. Common core fabrics cotton flannel cotton fleece cotton terry bamboo fleece bamboo flannel bamboo terry hemp fleece hemp terry zorb Backer This is the back layer of the pad, and is usually waterproof or moisture resistant. The most commonly used backer fabrics are PUL , anti-pill fleece, soft shell , or wind pro fleece . PUL is waterproof but many choose to use fleece instead because it is easier to sew and can produce a “floppier” pad. Topper This is the top layer of the pad that touches the body and directs flow into the core. There are many topper options and each person will have their own preferences, for comfort. Warm climates tend to work well with smooth, natural fiber or wicking toppers. Napped/fuzzy fabrics are preferred by some for “grabbing” heavy flow or for post partum use. Common topper fabrics cotton flannel cotton woven cotton knit cotton velour bamboo velour athletic wicking jersey microfleece minky performance pique (spoonflower) crushed velvet Corky Lorenz February 5, 2026

The Tinley Park Reptile Expo is a twice-yearly NARBC event held at the Tinley Park Convention Center in Illinois. See show dates, hours, and visitor photos from the fall 2025 expo, plus details for the upcoming spring 2026 event. Tinley Park Reptile Expo A large 2 day Reptile expo that happens twice a year at the Tinley Park Convention Center. See dates and photos below. Dates NARBC Tinley Park Reptile Expo 2026 is planned for March 14th and 15th. Location This is a 2 day event that usually happens twice a year at the Tinley Park Convention Center. Address 18451 Convention Center Dr, Tinley Park, IL 60477 Photo use Vendors are welcome to download and use images of their displays. Oct 2025 vendor, reptile, and guest images are posted below. See details for the Spring 2026 event here . NARBC 2025 Articles from the fall 2025 reptiles expo. Bullfrog Sundown Hold it Bring a friend Animals Josh’s Frogs Plants John Chausmer Rare plants Crosstown

An overview on what it is and how to use soda ash for tie dye and ice dye. Soda ash Soda ash is a chemical used in tie dye to prepare fabric so fiber reactive dye bonds permanently and does not fade. What is soda ash? Soda ash is sodium carbonate. It is a white powder that makes water more alkaline. What is soda ash used for? In tie dye, soda ash is used to prep fabric so fiber reactive dye bonds to the fabric and does not wash out. 1 cup of soda ash dissolved in 1 gallon of water is the ratio often recommended. Here's a short video for mixing soda ash into water. Outside of tie dye, soda ash is also used to raise the pH in swimming pools so the water stays clear and balanced. Where to buy soda ash Soda ash is commonly sold at pool supply stores because it is used for pool maintenance. It can also be purchased online from dye suppliers, craft stores, or general online retailers. Some people choose to make soda ash at home instead of buying it. Is baking soda the same as soda ash? No. Baking soda and soda ash are not the same thing. Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate. Soda ash is sodium carbonate. Baking soda can be turned into soda ash by heating it, but they start as different chemicals. How to make soda ash Soda ash can be made from baking soda by heating it in an oven. Spread baking soda in a thin layer on a baking sheet and bake it at 400°F for about one hour. After it cools, the baking soda will have changed into soda ash.

Where to park, hours, ticket prices, RV museum exhibits, and photo guides for visiting the RV/MH Hall of Fame in Elkhart, Indiana. RV Hall of Fame in Elkhart, IN A guide for the RV Hall of Fame in Elkhart IN, including parking directions, ticket info, exhibits, and photo-based walkthroughs for visitors. The entrance in located at the back of The Northern Indiana Event Center building. Hours & Address Summer hours (April 1 – October 31): • Monday–Saturday: 9 AM – 5 PM • Sunday: 10 AM – 3 PM Winter hours (November 1 – March 31): • Monday–Saturday: 10 AM – 4 PM • Wednesday: Closed • Sunday: 10 AM – 3 PM Phone number: (574) 293-2344 Address: 21565 Executive Pkwy, Elkhart IN 46514 Entrance When you have made it to the correct entrance, you will see sinage on the front of the building that reads "RV/MH Hall of Fame" and "RV & MH Museums." The building that reads Northern Indiana Event Center is the wrong entrance to visit the Hall of Fame. Drive around the left side of the building to get to the correct door. Check in & bathrooms This is what the lobby looks like, with the front check in desk on the right, and the exhibit entrances to the left. You can hit the bathrooms by the front desk if you need to. Upper level If the gift shop, you can find the stairs to see the 2nd floor. In the upper floor, you can view all of the RVs from above or visit the library.

How to sew cloth menstrual pads. This step by step process can also be used for incontinence pads, and postpartum pads. Sewing your own washable cloth pads is a fun project and also environmentally friendly, by reducing waste from disposable pad products. Cloth Pad Sewing Steps This is an overview of how to sew your own washable cloth pads. Here is a list of videos for sewing cloth pads . Print pattern Download and print the beginner pattern, below. If you don't have a printer, some people have had success with tracing patterns onto paper from their screen. (Be careful not to damage your screen) beginner-cloth-pad-sewing-pattern-cher-versodile .pdf Download PDF • 1.22MB You need 3 fabric layers Each pad has 3 parts: a topper, a core, and a base. The topper sits next to the body and touches your skin, so you can choose a fabric type that feels nice to you. Draw the sewing line on the topper Trace the sewing line onto the back of the topper fabric using washable marker or a fine tip permanent marker. For a dark fabric, you can use a gel pen to get the line to show up. Cut the fabric Rough cut around sewing line. Cut core exactly on pattern line. Place core center in sewing line Make sure your stitched core falls within the traced turn/stitch line so it gets enclosed properly. Stitch the core to the topper Sew around the edge of the absorbent core to secure it to the topper using a zigzag or straight stitch. Pin right sides together Lay the base fabric and the topper (with core) right sides together, and pin all around the edge. Stitch top and bottom layers together Sew around the pad on the marked line, leaving a small gap for turning the pad right side out. Trim the seam allowance Trim down the seam allowance to reduce bulk, especially around the curves and wings. Make little snips to release tension Cut small notches or slits into the seam allowance at curves to help the pad lay flat when turned. Clip off sharp outer tips Carefully trim the very tips of the wings and corners to help with sharp points when turned. Turn the pad right side out Reach inside the pad through the gap and gently pull it right side out. Poke out seams and corners Use a blunt stick or turning tool to push out all corners and curves fully. Align with presser foot and topstitch Press the pad flat and topstitch all the way around the edge, closing the turning gap. Add wing snaps Add plastic snaps or sew-on Velcro to the wings so the pad can be fastened around underwear. Absorbent core layering guide for sewing cloth pads This image is a quick reference for how many layers of each fabric type to cut. Always prewash absorbent fabrics before sewing, so they can shrink ahead of time.