What is the technique?

  Fiber Etch® Fiber Remover is a gel which creates decorative effects by removing fiber. It removes plant fibers: cotton, linen, ramie, rayon and paper. It is also effective on fabrics blends (and most noticeable on blends containing at least 50% plant fibers).

  Fiber Etch® is a Patented product of Silkpaint Corporation.

 This technique is also known as DEVORE and it works best on fabric blends with: cellulose + non cellulose. The chemical works on the cellulosic fiber (plant fiber), leaving the non cellulose intact on the fabric.

  Bleaching is used to whiten the colour of the fabric. It should be used on fabric made from 100% cotton, linen or rayon.

 

What are the relevant materials needed for the technique?

  Fiber Etch:

  • Silk viscose velvet
  • Fiber Etch fiber remover
  • Mask & gloves
  • Silkscreen print set or Paint brushes

  Bleaching Fabric:

  • Dark colour fabrics
  • Bleach
  • Mask, gloves & googles
  • Spray bottle or brush
  • Optional: rubber band, tapes etc.

 

How to achieve technique?

  Fiber Etch:

  Pre-iron the fabric and lay down on table; put on mask & gloves; Pour Fiber etch into the silkscreen& print onto the fabric or use a brush directly to paint on it; leave the fabric for at least 24 hours; Iron the fabric to get rid of falling fiber & wash it.

  Bleaching Fabric:

  Prepare the fabric with manipulation techniques such as folding, stitching, twisting or taping; Put on glover, mask and googles and take everything to a well ventilated space, preferably outdoor; Pour bleach into spray bottle (optional: dilute with water & shake); Spray the fabric and wait for the colour to fade; Wash immediately when the colour is desirable and let it dry.

 

What are the uses and applications of the technique?

  Fiber etch or DEVORE is popular for producing velvet fashion products such as clothing and beddings. And it works on watercolour paper as well as wood.

  Bleaching fabrics can be used for DIY projects such as t-shirt, table cloth and it is a great way to reuse old fabrics. It can create all kinds of patterns quickly.

 

Experiment

  Fiber Etching first trial

  The velvet was ironed and then a silkscreen print of fiber etch was applied as shown. However, in the next day, the fabric appeared to be intact. Another tip learnt in class was the burning fabric test. When we cut out a small piece of fabric and burn it for the smell to determine the content. The silk would smell like burning hair/nail. Otherwise, the fabric could have been synthetic instead of natural fiber like the seller might say.

 

Fiber Etching second trial

  Besides repeating the same process as last time, I also drew some design directly with a brush and dripped some drops on another piece and folded it.

  After 2 days, the green velvet pieces were completely intact after I ironed and washed them. The blue one did have some fiber removed after washing and scraping for a while. However, it was as complete as I drew and expected it to be. Therefore, it could be concluded that the content of the fabric might not be what it was said to be. It was quite a pity as I believed that the successful one would be quite nice.

  

 

Bleaching Demo

  The demo piece in class was quite interesting as the bleach was filtered out by a pattern table cloth as shown. The end result had interesting texture on it. And I used tape to block out the bleach on an old dress.

 

Personal Reflection

  Personally I prefer bleaching over fiber etching because it is much easier to execute. The effects also occur much faster and it is easier to predict & control. However, the result of bleaching could potentially weaken or even damage the fabric so it needs to be done carefully. On the contrary, fabric etching especially when it is used on fine fabric can create more durable and better products. It is a technique practiced by branded fashion companies.