What is the technique?

This technique is more commonly known as DEVORE. The chemical used in this technique ‘attacks’ on cellulosic (plant based) fibre, leaving the
other non plant based fibre(e.g. polyester) within the fabric intact.
It works best on fabrics blends : cellulose + non cellulose.

What are the relevant materials needed for the technique?

• Fiber Etch® Fiber Remover
• Silk Screen Stencil
• Squeegee
• Paint brush
• Velvet(Half rayon and half silk)

How to achieve the technique?

1. Iron the velvet.
2. Lay the velvet flat on the table with the cellulose side facing up and lay the Silk Screen Stencil on the velvet.
3. Lay the fiber etching gel on the top of the stencil evenly then use squeegee to push the gel through the stencil.
   OR
   Use a paint brush to paint desired design.
4. Wait for 24 hour, and iron the velvet.
5. Heat accordingly until the part painted with gel become brown and can be scratched off.
6. Wash with water to clean the fabric.
7. Let dry.

What are the uses and applications of the technique?

This technique could be used in creating design on clothes, and on plant based materials such as papers and wood.

Photos

Samples showed in class

Velvet pieces of different colour

Fibre Etch® Fiber Remover

Getting the gel onto the velvet

Iron the velvet

The velvet turns brown but instead of just dissolving the top layer everything was dissolved.

On the other hand, the gel have no effect on the black and green velvet.

 

Own personal reflections

This method is simple and the final product looks beautiful. However getting the right type of fabric is tedious, because it require the fabric to contain half plant based and half non-plant based. And using the wrong type of fabric will either cause no design to be visible or the fabric to dissolve completely.