Recent notes on projects & local events

Bamboo fleece and bamboo terry fabric need to be pre-shrunk before sewing to prevent the final pad from becoming warped after washing. Wash and dry the fabric on hot three to five times, measuring shrinkage between cycles to know when it’s ready to sew.

Sundown Reptiles stood out at the Tinley Park Reptile Expo with their orchids and beautifully designed reptile enclosures. Their professional display and active online presence show a clear dedication to both reptiles and presentation.

There was so much variety to see among vendor booths! I was also impressed by the number of vendors I recognized from the previous two visits to this NARBC expo location.

This is the third time I have seen this vendor, and I was happy to see their collection again! Bugs and large frogs were a crowd favorite.

A hot soak is a shortcut for ice dyers who want to see their results faster. Instead of waiting 24 hours at room temp, you soak the item in hot water to set the dye faster.

When they are first hatched, and are very small, they can eat cut chicken hearts. As they get bigger, they transition to eating pinkies. Feed a hognose like most other pet snakes.

The most important elements of bright tie dye color are: using natural fiber shirts, presoaking in soda ash, using enough dye, and letting it fully set.

It’s a style of tie dye that ends up resembling a sliced agate or geode. Artificial sinew is wrapped around fabric and pulled tight to resist dye and create lines.

This is a technique meant to produce a smooth watercolor look on thin fabrics. It’s done by placing polyester fleece behind the thin fabric before bunching.

Yes, there is one remaining hot now location left in Sturgis, Michigan. It operates more like a family business and no longer like a franchise.

Most of my dye is from Dharma Trading Co, but I also like Jacquard Products. There are several more small shops to get powered dye from.

The best absorbent fabric for sewing cloth pads depends on what your goal is. My favorite, for being thin and soft, is 400 gsm bamboo fleece.

Hognose snakes can make good pets for people who appreciate their dramatic, hissy personalities. They’re harmless, expressive, and a little theatrical, which some people find charming and others find annoying.

This vendor brought an impressive variety of boas. The patterns and colors were striking. I was happy to be able to walk up and observe this boa up close.

As I was passing the display, for Josh’s frogs, at the Tinley Park Expo, I noticed a delightful interaction. A chameleon happily catching drops of water from a paper towel being squeezed.

If we met in person and I took your photo, it will be uploaded in 2-3 days.

For tie dye, mix 1 cup of powdered soda ash (sodium carbonate) with 1 gallon of water. It dissolves faster with warm or hot water. Enjoy a soda ash poem below.

Getting crisp lines without blotchiness requires making the ties really tight and properly spaced.

It makes the fabric ready to grab color. The soda ash raises the pH so the dye will chemically bond to cotton instead of just washing out later.

For the first time, The Mishawaka Farmers Market was held at night. Vendors and guests enjoyed the overhead string lights along the riverwalk.

After visiting last night, for the "Under the Lights" event and seeing about 30 dogs, I would say yes. The Mishawaka Market and riverwalk seem very dog friendly.