DR2007 – Student Blog

What is the technique

Fabric of Thread

This method requires the use of threads, sewn and interlocked with one another to create a specific type of fabric that resembles lace.

What are the relevant materials needed for the technique

Water-soluble stabiliser

Decorative threads/ Sewing threads/ Yarn/ Trimminngs

Sewing machine

Bowl of water

Sewing pins

UV resistant clear acrylic spray

Object to mold into shape (optional)

How to achieve the technique

Cut out the desired size of the water-soluble stabiliser but keep in mind that the piece should be doubled in size as it needs to be folded into half. Lay out the water-soluble stabiliser on a flat surface. Select the threads and trimmings (any thickness) I want to use. Then, arrange or layer the threads and trimming on the stabiliser to form my own design, making sure I leave the other half of the stabiliser empty. Once satisfied, I fold over the empty half of the stabiliser, covering and sandwiching my design and secure it using a couple of pins. Using the sewing machine, I sew it in a net-like pattern to interlock the threads and trimmings together and this can be done as many times depending on how interwoven I want it to be. When it is secured, place your design in a bowl of water and gently rinse away the water-soluble stabiliser. This can be done a few times, depending on how stiff or malleable I want it to be, with more washes making the fabric of threads more malleable. Lastly, pat dry the fabric of threads with tissue and lay it out on a flat surface or mold it to another object to create a shape and leave it to dry.

What are the uses and applications of the technique

Photos

Own personal reflections

I thoroughly enjoyed using the soluble stabiliser to create a fabric that was intricate and delicate at the same time. The fact that you could use control and deicide what materials to use to create this “fabric”,  allowed for experimentation as seen above that I did not use one particular type of material. I experimented more later on by hand sewing on pearls and i was surprised that id managed to work.

What is the technique

Plastic fusing

This method requires melting or fusing different types, colours and shapes of plastic together to create a fabric that is waterproof and somewhat resembles lace when holes are created from melting the plastic.

What are the relevant materials needed for the technique

Plastic bags

Bubblewrap

Plastic ribbons

Baking paper

Iron

How to achieve the technique

From the collection of plastic that I have amounted, I selected different pieces based on texture or colour and arranged them in a way I liked. I sandwich these pieces between two pieces of baking paper and lay a heated iron over the baking sheets. Move the iron around and constantly check on the plastic to ensure that it is fusing properly and not burnt and once I like the way it has fused, remove the iron and lets the plastic cool down.

What are the uses and applications of the technique

Photos

I tried fusing the plastic with a furry type of yarn and it created a sort of plastic pillow as the fur became the “stuffing”. Also I originally wanted the plastic to melt more so that the furry yarn could peek through but sadly the plastic did not want to melt any further.

Own personal reflections

Similar to the fabric of thread, plastic fusing allowed me to experiment with different textures and colours to create colourful pieces of work. It was also a learning experience as I originally thought all plastic would fuse/melt and create holes but from my experiments, some plastic melted only to stick to each other. I really preferred the plastic that fused and melted to create holes because it gave this sort of edgy, modern lacework which was delicate yet durable. Additionally, I really like the idea of using plastic whom most of us see as a one use item and create another life out of it. It’s such an eco-friendly idea and makes me rethink if I need another plastic item for an example, a raincoat, if I can actually make one myself!

What is the technique

Transfer printing or sublimation printing transfers an image using heat and pressure onto a fabric or other materials through a substrate. The heat and pressure causes the dye to change into vapour which is then transferred onto the fabric and eventually solidifies into the dye again upon cooling.

To create designs, there are a couple of ways to achieve it. Dry transfer uses fabric crayons to create designs on the paper. Wet transfer has two ways to design. The direct way uses fabric dyes that is painted onto objects and which are then directly stamped onto paper to create patterns. The indirect way of creating patterns is painting a whole sheet of paper which is laid on top of objects and the dye would be transferred to the surrounding areas that are not covered by the objects. Digital printing is another option for more meticulous and intricate designs which requires one to simply design on a software then printing it out on a transfer paper.

What are the relevant materials needed for the technique

Baking paper, paper, transfer paper for digital transfer, fabric (polyester) or wood, fabric dyes, fabric crayons, iron, heat press machine and objects for stamping/ pattern-making.

How to achieve the technique

Transfer printing first requires designing on a sheet of paper. Using an iron or heat press machine, first place a sheet of baking paper down; then the fabric; and lastly the designed side of the paper must be placed facedown against the fabric. Another sheet of baking paper is laid on top, then an iron or a heat press machine is used to heat the dye for transfer. When using an iron, it takes a couple of minutes for the ink to heat up and transfer onto polyester but for a heat press machine it takes about 35 seconds at a temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the temperature and amount of time required for the transfer differs for different inks and materials used.

Digital printing uses the same steps to transfer the dye but it is simpler in the designing process as the designing happens on the computer and is then printed.

What are the uses and applications of the technique

Transfer printing can be used on fabrics and clothing such as t-shirts, caps or bags or on non-fabric hard surface such as wood or metal to create a picture for decoration. It can be used to design fabrics too which could be then used to make clothing.

Photos

Direct Wet Transfer Process of a Leaf

Wet Direct Transfer

Indirect wet transfer

For this one, I used the wet transfer design as the background for the indirect wet transfer and layered a feather underneath to get this result.

Dry Transfer

Own personal reflections

Personally, transfer printing is a nostalgic form of art as it reminds me of my childhood when I painted objects then stamping it onto fabrics or paper. It can be a little messy due to the dye drying faster than expected thus having to add more dye on the objects which can lead to it getting everywhere. Moreover, the crayon smudges a bit so for doing detailed designs, digital transfer is the best technique for transferring. Transfer printing is quite fun still because there’s no right or wrong in designing especially for wet transfer. It allows you to stamp objects anyway I like with any colours, creating different tones in one design. I really like the outcome of every transfer as not only is it eco-friendly as you can transfer a couple of times, the vibrancy of every transfer changes after every transfer, creating different designs in the process.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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