Techniques

12 ~ Latex

| Natasya Adistana

Technique

Latex. It is shaping latex to create more useful and interesting form to be used for other thing.

Material(s)

  • Latex
  • Acrylic paint (optional)

Tool(s)

  • Mould
  • Weighing scale

Process

  1. Wipe and/or air gun the mould to remove dust
  2. Spray the conditioner onto the mould
  3. Pour the latex liquid and hardener in a 100 to 4 ratio
  4. Stir the mixture evenly
  5. Pour into the mould
  6. Colour it with acrylic paint (optional)

—Photos

Some samples in class
Latex
Process
Some details
My sample

Reflections

It has an interesting texture and it should be a good media if one knows what they want. Have never really tried to create it before, but it seems really useful to create many thing as the texture is soft and it has sweet scent as well. The only cons might be the expensive price it has.

12 ~ Resin

| Natasya Adistana

 Technique

Resin. It is encapsulating different object in clear chemical that will harden in the shape of the mould.

Material(s)

  • Resin
  • Objects (to encapsulate)

Tool(s)

  • Mould (heat-resistant)
  • Weighing scale
  • Mask
  • Gloves

Process

  1. Wipe and/or air gun the mould to remove dust
  2. Spray conditioner onto the mould
  3. Pour the resin liquid and hardener in a ratio of 100 to 4
  4. Stir the mixture evenly
  5. Pour into the mould before it dries
  6. (optional) Place the object to encapsulate into the mould

——Photos

Tools
Class demonstration
Details
My sample

Reflections

It is an interesting but quite poisonous process (thus the mask and gloves). It results in pretty products that will be different from one another. The greatest challenge is to quickly arrange the object before the resin dries out and not to move it to much so as to keep the result as clear as possible.

10 ~ Knitting

| Natasya Adistana

Technique

Knitting. It is making pattern out of yarn with the help of knitting needles.

Material(s)

  • Yarn

Tool(s)

  • Knitting needles

Process

  1. Open tutorial video for guide
  2. Follow and knit

—Photos

My sample

Reflections

It is a long process and it took me about 7 hours to get into the size of the sample. However, I have to admit it is therapeutic… but only if made without deadline/for leisure. I will try more knitting in the future as it creates interesting form and shape with simple materials.

9 ~ Fiber Etching

| Natasya Adistana

Technique

Fiber Etching. It is removing parts of velvet to create pattern with transparent-like effect.

Material(s)

  • Velvet (mixture of protein- and cellulose-based materials)
  • Fiber remover liquid

Tool(s)

  • Screen print stencil OR brush
  • Iron

Process

  1. Steam-iron the back of the velvet
  2. Place the screen print stencil on top of the velvet
  3. Pour fiber remover liquid onto the edge of the silk screen frame
  4. Sweep over the screen until the etching liquid is evenly distributed onto the velvet
  5. Leave the velvet to dry for 24 hours as the liquid will burn the cellulose
  6. Iron the velvet to remove the burnt fibres
  7. Wash to stop the process

—Photos

Tools
Process
Pretty sample
My sample
My sample

Reflections

It was an expensive material to begin with, but the result was worth it. I have no idea why my velvet become ‘fried’ and it the burnt and brown left over was not removed even after several washings. I though of bleaching it but it would be bad if the velvet will create holes, so I left it the way it was.

9 ~ Bleaching

| Natasya Adistana

Technique

Bleaching. It is using bleach to remove the layer of colour in dark-coloured fabric.

Material(s)

  • Cotton fabric
  • Bleach

Tool(s)

  • Spray bottle OR brush
  • Pattern stencil (optional)

Process

  1. Fold/twist/manipulate the fabric into desired shape OR place a stencil onto the fabric
  2. Spray the fabric with bleach
  3. Wait until the wanted result is achieved
  4. Wash the fabric to stop the bleaching process

—Photos

Folding the fabric
Process
Bleach can be sprayed stencil to create pattern as well
My Sample
My sample

Reflections

It is a simple way, yet need to be careful when the bleach touch hands/clothes directly. The base colour of dark-coloured fabric can be different even though the dark looks the same. Sometimes, it might be necessary to just wait a bit longer and wait for the bleach to spread more but if gradient effect wanted, it might required quite fast to wash and stop the process. It is a fun method where trial and error can result in unusual design.

8 ~ Thermochromic Ink

| Natasya Adistana

Technique

Thermochromic ink. Screen printing ink that will disappear in high temperature.

Material(s)

  • Thermochromic ink
  • Acrylic paint (optional)
  • Fabric

Tool(s)

  • Silk screen frame

Process

  1. Mix 5 spoons of base and 1 spoon of thermochromic powder
  2. Add acrylic paint if the base wanted to have another colour
  3. Pour the mixture to the edge of the silk screen frame
  4. Place the frame over the fabric
  5. Sweep the mixture over a few times until it is evenly spread out
  6. Let it dry

—Photos

Tools
Process
When ironed and the thermochromic ink dissapeared
My sample
Galina’s dress
Interesting dresses from a book

Reflections

It is an interesting ink. When I first ironed the fabric, I was surprised that the it was gone and waited quite long for its colour to returned. While pressing it for a bit will make it lightened as well. I think this method can be one that involve interaction and response for the user of the product.  🙂

6 ~ Fabric Manipulation

| Natasya Adistana

Technique

Fabric manipulation. It is manipulating fabric (e.g. felt) by sewing to create some pattern.

Material(s)

  • Fabric
  • Thread
  • Elastic sewing thread

Tool(s)

  • Sewing needle
  • Sewing machine

Process

Smocking

  1. Prepare the fabric and needle
  2. Make grids on the back side of the fabric
  3. Follow a guide (or trial and error) and mark the sewing direction with arrow
  4. Sew

Shirring

  1. Cut out the pieces of fabric into desired shapes and sizes
  2. Arrange them on the base fabric
  3. Pin to keep them in place
  4. Sew with the sewing machine in the desired type of stitch

—Photos

Class demonstration
Smocking guide
Tools
Pattern 1 (number 1 in from the guide image)
Pattern 2 (number 8 from the guide image)
Results
My sample
My sample

Reflections

It is an interesting method. Unless used to it, drawing the arrow really helps as once sewn, it is quite hard to see. It is quite time consuming but the result creates some satisfaction, should try more pattern next time 🙂

Source for smocking guide: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/383861568224982792/

5 ~ Felting

| Natasya Adistana

Technique

Felting. It is to form the shape of felt from wool.

Material(s)

  • Felting wool
  • Wool yarn
  • Hot water
  • Soap

Tool(s)

  • Felting needle
  • Base

Process

Wet Felting

  1. Arrange the felting wool in a thin layer
  2. Pour hot water and a little soap onto the wool to soften the fibres
  3. Rub the wool to close the gaps and shape them as wanted
  4. Leave the piece to dry

Needle Felting

  1. Bundle up felting wool or wool yarn into a ball
  2. Poke with the felting needle on the base
  3. Poke more until the wanted shape is created

Nuno Felting

  1. Arrange felting wool or wool yarn onto the fabric
  2. Poke them with the felting needle
  3. Poke more until the wanted shape is created

—Photos

Pretty samples of felting
Needle felting
Wanted it to be bigger, layered it with more felting wool
Wet felting process
My sample

Reflections

It is indeed a process that takes a long time but I enjoyed it. I didn’t know there is such technique before. The downside is that I keep on accidentally poking my finger and I notice that the felting needle is not only a long needle but has some texture on it (it hurts more than getting poked by sewing needle). However, itt is simple and can be done for a lot of things, I will use it in the future!

4 ~ Thermoplastics

| Natasya Adistana

Technique

Thermoplastics. It is to reshape thermoplastic materials by boiling it.

Material(s)

  • 100% polyester organza
  • Mould (water and heat resistant)
  • Elastic bands
  • Aluminum foil

Tool(s)

  • Pot
  • Stove

Process

  1. Wrap the mould around the organza and tie tightly with an elastic band
  2. Wrap the whole organza with aluminium foil
  3. Submerge the aluminum ball into pot of boiling water for 45 – 75 mins

—Photos

Some details
Attempted to make a rose-like shape
Before wrapping with aluminium foil
Before wrapping with aluminium foil
Boiling process
After boiling
My sample
My sample
My sample

Reflections

It was really pretty and I like the texture and feel of organza. It created interesting shape. However, I should say this method is not as simple as it looks and might result better (similar to imagined) for those with more experience.

5 ~ Applique

| Natasya Adistana

Technique

Applique. It is combining different material by sewing it together.

Material(s)

  • Fabric of different colours and shapes

Tool(s)

  • Sewing pins
  • Sewing machine

Process

  1. Cut out the pieces of fabric into the wanted design
  2. Arrange them onto the base fabric
  3. Pin to keep  in place
  4. Sew with the sewing machine in the wanted thread and stitch

—Photos

Class demonstration
Some pretty samples in class

Reflections

It is a useful technique that can be easily applied for many things. The method is quite simple, especially when one has the planned design. The challenge comes when using the machine as some times the thread might not be suitable with the stitching type or it just not able to hold the fabric as wanted.