Tag Archives: fabric of thread

Final Project Experimentation- WAVES

I was inspired by the marbled colours, the crashing waves texture/motion and the irregular layers.

MOODBOARD:

 

EXPLORATION/EXPERIMENTATION OF SAMPLES:

  1. PLASTIC FUSING   I was able to make a nice marbled plastic fused piece and my final plastic fusing samples are a wave inspired clutch and replica of waves Clutch (2 hexagon boxes) were modelled using Rhino (software) and then 3D printed out. Marbled plastic fusing piece is die cut and stuck onto the clutch and the sides and empty spaces of the casing of the clutch were spray painted to achieve an ombre effect and also to blend the colours together (continuation from plastic fusing piece) Metal hardware was later fixed and glued onto the case and small beads were added to the plastic fusing centre piece to give it more texture and match the hardware.

2. SPRAY PAINT + MANIPULATING PLASTIC

I crunched up plastic to replicate irregular wave like creases then spray painted it at a 70 degree angle. After which, super glue was dotted on certain points on the plastic and pinched together to make deeper creases or higher peaks on the surface 

3. THERMOPLASTICS

I sandwiched organza in between 2 pieces of baking paper and use clips on one end to stop the organza from slipping. Then proceeded to fold horizontal lines in alternating directions throughout (same method of folding a paper fan), used a hot iron and pressed onto the baking paper for up to 1 min on high heat, continuously checking and making sure not to burn organza. Then i let it cool for a few minutes and slowly unwrapped the baking paper. I twisted and sewed down on specific areas of organza to make the textured ridges look wavy.

4. APPLIQUE

Switch to desired stitch settings and thread colour on sewing machine then mark out the pattern to stitch on. I used various coloured thread and zig zag stitching on white felt as the base and sewed on a wavy pattern.

5. MANIPULATING FABRIC

This idea sparked sporadically as i had scrap fabric after making my final project: Umiko, the waves inspired skirt. I layered the textured white fabric on top of each other to the desired thickness, then sewed all the pieces down on one side after which i trimmed the dangly side to create a curvaceous wave like volume and spray painted it with some blue spray paint (only the curvaceous tip).

6. FABRIC OF THREAD

I layered and glued on leftover threads in a meandering wave pattern and left some trails to dangle put of the frame

7. LATEX

There wasn’t sufficient hardener for latex mixture when I went back to try to recreate bumpy splashy wave like motion with latex hence I ended up using the first one I made during class. Mix 100g latex : 4g harder with wooden stick, pour it onto a smooth flat surface. While it is curing/hardening on the flat surface keep mixing and creating peaks using wooden stick, at the same time gradually add and mix in blur acrylic paint. Keep mixing until satisfied

8. SMOCKING

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-46YwO3sbQ

I followed a Canadian smocking tutorial to recreate wave ridge like textures.

 

APPLICATIONS OF SAMPLES:

3 Fabric of threads & Plastic fusing

WHAT IS THE TECHNIQUE

  1. Fabric of thread: Using a sewing machine sew on mass of threads/fabric or designs with thread, yarns and other fabric on a water soluble stabilizer.
  2. Plastic fusing:  Heating plastics so that they melt and fuse together to create new textures of textiles or items

 

MATERIALS:

  • Fabric of thread:
  • Sewing Machine
  • Water soluble stabilizer
  • Any Threads, yarns, fabrics, strips, trimmings
  • Acrylic spray/Starch spray to help with holding shape
  • Optional: object to form shape over

 

  • Plastic fusing:
  • Plastic bags
  • Iron
  • Baking papers
  • Scissors

 

HOW:

Fabric of thread: Spread and pin threads and yarns on water soluble stabilizer and sew a grid like pattern using a sewing machine. Then rinse in water to remove water soluble stabilizer. For objects to be molded, leave some water soluble membrane left and use acrylic spray to strengthen and harden the molded form.

Plastic fusing: Cut the plastic bags and layer them to make a design, then sandwich them between baking paper and iron on until fused together.

 

What are the uses and applications of the technique?

Fabric of thread- table wear, textile/clothing, sculptures, lampshades etc

Image result for WATER soluble fabricImage result for WATER soluble fabric

 

Plastic fusing is very interesting, thickness, texture vary with the amount and type of plastic used.

hard plastic tiles/coasters made entirely out of plastic bags and a mould

Fused Plastic Bags and Accessories

 

REFLECTION: 

Fabric of thread was challenging as the sewing machine kept tearing my water soluble stabilizer. A sewing hoop would help to hold and stretch fabric in place. Regret that I did not have much material left to explore more sculptural forms that can be made using this technique.

Plastic fusing is very fun, higher heat will cause the plastic to scrunch up more quickly = more texture (holes/wavy ends/overall form) and lower heat will produce a more uniform surface which is great for sewing together

More industrial methods allow plastic to melt and mix effectively to give a marbled effect which is very aesthetically pleasing and hard to achieve via DIY. Thicker plastics (more layers) can be used to make sculptural items which can stand on their own with the use of moulds.