Project 6 Manipulating fabric_Stage 3 applied fabric techniques

Before I started with this exercise, I did some research on cut-back applique because I had never done that before. During my research I began reading about the Molas that the Kuna Indians make. I absolutely love their use of colour and the intricate shapes. The motifs used in the Molas are either geometric shapes such as mazes or figurative, such as people and animals.

When I started with the cut-back applique, I decided that I wanted to use some of the same bright colours that the Kuna Indians used. I used red, yellow, blue and an orange brown. The top fabric was not the best choice because is frays a lot, but I like the effect.

For the second sample I appliqued a flower on a cotton background. On top the flower I attached a flower shaped sequin.

Applique

In the sample below I trapped papers, candy wrappers, lace and a sequin between a layer of organza and cotton and sewed around the objects.

Trapping objects

I do not have Tyvek, but I did experiment with melting plastic. I cut open plastic bags, put several layers on top of each other and ironed it. I then appliqued the plastic onto a background. I really like this technique especially because it is really unpredictable.

Fused plastic

Fused plastic

 

 

Project 6 Manipulating fabric_ Stage 2 Developing ideas

After reading through the exercises of project 6 and and looking through my sketchbook, I decided to choose the following drawings:

Drawing of an Amaryllis

I chose this drawing because of the colours and the composition.

Experimenting with cutting out shapes

This is technically no drawing but just an experiment where I cut out squares and placed them in other spaces. I chose this solely because of the shapes that appeared when I put back the squares.

Rubber stamps

I chose these rubber stamps because of the textures.

Pastels

This is also not a drawing but I like the texture of the paper napkins and the colours.

Golden rock

A picture of the Golden rock in Mon State, Myanmar and my drawing of it where I tried to emulate the the different textures of the rock.

Tangerine

Drawing of a tangerine. I really like the colours and texures.

Fabric collages

I found it difficult to make fabric collages based upon the drawings that I chose. I was not sure how literal the collages had to be. But looking at the fabric samples that I put together in Stage 1 and experimenting with overlapping different fabrics, shapes and colours, I made these fabric collages:

Collage of an Amaryllis

The collage I made of the Amaryllis drawing. It is a quite literal collage where I tried to mimic the different colours of the flower with different sheer fabrics. Because it is so literal, I think the collage does match the drawing.

This collage is also quite literal. I chose to cut out the shapes of two squares out of fabric and experiment with different types of fabric.

Organza on lace, linen and polyester

I put organza on different types of fabric to recreate the textures of the stamps. The collage does not match the stamps exactly, but it does have a the different textures that the stamps have as well.

Fabric collage of the Golden rock

I cut strips out of different fabrics to emulate the different colours of the Golden Rock. The collage does not match the image.

Collage inspired by the pastel drawing

Because this is not inspired by an actual drawing, the collage does not match the source material. But I do think that the calm nature of the source material reflects in the collage.

 

Project 6 Manipulating fabric_ Stage 1 Preparation

While sorting out my fabric samples, I discovered that I have a lot organza and a lot of pink and blue fabric. I decided not to cut up my fabric because I do not have a lot of fabric yet. It was useful to sort out my fabric and have an overview of the materials that I can use. It was not part of this exercise, but I had some fun combining the fabrics to see which colours and textures I could achieve. Especially using the organza and lace fabrics.

White fabric samples

Brown fabric samples

Green fabric samples

Red fabric samples

Blue fabric samples

Orange fabric samples

Yellow fabric samples

Pink fabric samples

Part three Creating Shapes and Three-dimensional Forms_Research point

There are a lot of different textiles available to the consumer. Quilting in fashion and furnishing is one of the newest trends. This is of course nothing new. Coco Chanel introduced the first quilted chain handbag in 1955, known as the Chanel 2.55.

Chanel 2.55

Designers such as Michael Kors put their own take on the quilted bag.

Quilted bag by Michael Kors

Quilting is also used in furnishing, as demonstrated by the New Traditionalists:

Sofa no. Two Twenty. To by the New Traditionalists

I enjoy watching sports and one of the things that really interests me is the clothing the athletes wear. For instance the suits swimmers wear. There are made out of Hydro K-Zone 3D fabric that helps to achieve the optimum hydrodynamic profile and Pulse-Flex Fabric that offers high stretch in one direction to couple freedom of movement with powerful compression.

Another trend that really interests me is organic cotton. I saw a clip about it on TV the other day. Organic cotton can be bought in most stores now, but they all use different standards. Which is really confusing. There is the Global Organic Textile Standard. Clothes with this label contain 95% organic cotton. The Oeko-tex Standard 100 requires that textiles do not contain substances harmful for the health of people. Than there is the OE 100 Standard, which tells you that, the textiles are made from 100% organic cotton. And lastly, the OE Blended Standard, which requires at least 5% organic cotton. The remaining fiber can be any fiber.

All though there is a lot of development in textiles, we still seem to be holding on to the past. Old trends become fashionable again the only difference is that we use new techniques and sometimes also new materials.

When I started searching for samples of furnishing fabrics in furnishing stores, I found that most of the samples look and feel really luxurious. I found velvet, linen, wool, viscose linen and some mixed samples. The colours are really warm but also traditional.

Furnishing fabric samples

I decided to make two little collages of how textiles are being used in fashion and furnishing. It is interesting to see that trends are present in fashion as well as in furnishing, such as crocheting.

Collage of textile fabrics

Collage of furnishing fabrics

Project 5 Painting and printing part 2

I really liked dyeing my own fabrics, so I decided to try out some more techniques.

Shaving cream

I using liquid acrylics and ink to dye these samples. The technique is really easy and I like the results. I had expected that the fabric would become really stiff, but it is actually really soft.

Dyeing with shaving cream

Dyeing with shaving cream

Glue resist

I really like the result. I ‘drew’ a design with clear craft glue and painted the fabric with watered-down acrylic paint. I was a bit worried that the glue would not come off easily, but that was not a problem.

Glue resist dyeing

Masking tape resist

This was so easy. I made a design with masking tape and dyed the fabric with watered-down acrylic paint. Once the paint was dry, I peeled off the masking tape.

Masking tape resist

Printing with bubble wrap

I have put a piece of bubble wrap underneath my fabric and painted the fabric. The picture below is of the back of the fabric. I actually like the back of the fabric better because the different bubbles are more visible.

Printing with bubble wrap

Snow dyeing

Since there has been a lot of snow lately, I had to try using snow to dye fabric. I was not sure what the best technique would be and a quick search Google search gave me a lot of different techniques, so I decided to just go ahead and try it. I first put a layer of snow in my container and put the fabric on top of it. I then added some acrylic paint and another layer of snow. I waited until the snow had melted and this is the result:

Snow dyeing

Salt and sugar resist

I dyed the sample on top with watered-down acrylic paint and sprinkled a lot of sea salt on top of it. I really like the result. I used the same technique on the second sample, but instead of using salt I used sugar. The fabric actually turned a little green. I dyed the third sample using liquid acrylic inks and masking tape.

Salt and sugar resist

Shibori technique

I wrapped rubber bands tightly around the fabrics and dyed the fabric using liquid acrylic inks.

Shibori technique

Overall, I am satisfied with the results. I have tried a lot of new techniques and I am definitely going to dye fabric more often because I like the unique results and the experimenting.