Textiles-Manipulation and Treatment.
Trapping
Trapping is a technique in which several different materials are trapped between a medium such as cling film or glue.
I first experimented with the cling film trapping method; trying several different materials sandwiched between cling film and then heated with an iron in order to seal the cling film and trap the innards. This is frustrating to work with as when handled too much it starts to separate and pieces fall out.
Experimenting with glue I found that different PVA glues dry to different consistencies, rigidity and colour.
Blu-tac’s PVA when dry is still supple and mouldable and also dries clear. College glue when dry becomes milky white and remains supple but also brittle.
I decided to make a solid piece with this glue as it was more rigid and mixing printer ink with the white glue has given an almost tie-dye effect.
I also made sheets of this glue with dye and beads.
It is too brittle to do anything with so therefore I will not be using this for anything other than solid objects. I particularly like the milky transparency of the glue and making a light to fit inside the object, the light is absorbed and glows inside this object revealing the hidden objects embedded inside the glue.
Blu-tac’s PVA when dry is still supple and mouldable and also dries clear. College glue when dry becomes milky white and remains supple but also brittle.
I decided to make a solid piece with this glue as it was more rigid and mixing printer ink with the white glue has given an almost tie-dye effect.
I also made sheets of this glue with dye and beads.
It is too brittle to do anything with so therefore I will not be using this for anything other than solid objects. I particularly like the milky transparency of the glue and making a light to fit inside the object, the light is absorbed and glows inside this object revealing the hidden objects embedded inside the glue.
Evo-Stick waterproof PVA when dry is transparent with a slight milky tinge; it dries very slowly and becomes rigid when dry. For my first experiment with this glue I made a small bag, it was all working well until day seven of drying, at which point it had become solid and I was unable to open the bag. Experimenting with layering paper and glue that had been watered down 1 part glue to 3 parts water helped a bit with the flexibility but added to drying time, I will not be using this again as it was expensive at £9 a pot and takes far too long to dry. |
Asda glue when dry is transparent, flexible and it also dries faster than any other glue I experimented with.
Experimenting with this glue I made a bag by layering glue and gold thread to simulate stitching, I also dripped printer ink onto the wet glue and it dispersed creating an interesting effect.
Experimenting with this glue I made a bag by layering glue and gold thread to simulate stitching, I also dripped printer ink onto the wet glue and it dispersed creating an interesting effect.
This worked really well and I am happy with the result, however it is not waterproof therefore it is not practical as a usable bag.
Knotting
Humans have been knotting since the dawn of history; ropes were knotted for tying animal skins to build shelters and also in the construction of nets and traps.
In time, knotting evolved from purely functional crafting into an aesthetic form of adornment such as bracelets, straps and belts.
My first attempt at knotting was on a board, I decided to make a cover for an old ottoman using felt from the scrap store. I have finished the top but am still unsure on what to do with the rest.
In time, knotting evolved from purely functional crafting into an aesthetic form of adornment such as bracelets, straps and belts.
My first attempt at knotting was on a board, I decided to make a cover for an old ottoman using felt from the scrap store. I have finished the top but am still unsure on what to do with the rest.
Weaving. |
I then moved onto making bracelets. This was a lot of fun as there are so many ways to knot and adding beads or using different materials provides a wide range of different outcomes and styles. I am pleased with the outcome and I enjoyed making them, I found it very therapeutic.. I did a lot of research on youtube. Watching people knotting, I found that it is the best way for me to learn. |
Weaving is when two or more threads are interlaced at right angles to produce a fabric or cloth.
There is evidence of weaving dating back to as early as the Palaeolithic era.
By the 18th and 19th century weaving in the western world became industrialised, causing social change as all family members including children were employed to work there.
Experimenting with weaving was a long one as I do not have a loom and I had to improvise and make do with a tin for holding the thread and a nail to weave with. This made a very strong piece of material and if I had access to a loom I think I would have done more on this.
There is evidence of weaving dating back to as early as the Palaeolithic era.
By the 18th and 19th century weaving in the western world became industrialised, causing social change as all family members including children were employed to work there.
Experimenting with weaving was a long one as I do not have a loom and I had to improvise and make do with a tin for holding the thread and a nail to weave with. This made a very strong piece of material and if I had access to a loom I think I would have done more on this.
Knitting.
The beginning of knitting is somewhat of a mystery apart from fragments in museums around the world; most of what is left historically is in tiny piles of knitted fragments.
There is a lot of speculation about the timeline of when knitting appeared as I said previously there are just small fragments left and there is a lot of speculation on whether it is knitting or if it is nalbinding, a technique used before knitting.
The oxford dictionary did not add knitting until the 1400’s.
Learning to knit was frustrating until my tutor sat in front of me and showed me step by step, I watched her do two lines and I understood how to do a plain stitch. I have made three pieces, one with thick wool one with silver thread and one with black recycled wool. I accidentally drop stitches quite often although I think that it just adds to the handmade/rustic look that appeals to me.
There is a lot of speculation about the timeline of when knitting appeared as I said previously there are just small fragments left and there is a lot of speculation on whether it is knitting or if it is nalbinding, a technique used before knitting.
The oxford dictionary did not add knitting until the 1400’s.
Learning to knit was frustrating until my tutor sat in front of me and showed me step by step, I watched her do two lines and I understood how to do a plain stitch. I have made three pieces, one with thick wool one with silver thread and one with black recycled wool. I accidentally drop stitches quite often although I think that it just adds to the handmade/rustic look that appeals to me.
Sewing.
Sewing is when you attach material together or add objects with a needle and thread and it date back to the prehistoric era.
Archaeologists believe that sewing was used in the ice age to sew animal skins together to make clothing.
The oldest iron sewing needle is from the third century BC.
Sewing thread was firstly made of sinew, cat gut, veins and plant fibres.
I did enjoy sewing but need more practice and a sewing machine I then could have worked faster and done bigger pieces.
Archaeologists believe that sewing was used in the ice age to sew animal skins together to make clothing.
The oldest iron sewing needle is from the third century BC.
Sewing thread was firstly made of sinew, cat gut, veins and plant fibres.
I did enjoy sewing but need more practice and a sewing machine I then could have worked faster and done bigger pieces.
This puppet was designed as therapy toy and represents a loving family member.
Felt abrasion.
Felt abrasion Felt is a non-woven cloth that is made by matting and condensing.
Heat and moisture allow the seals on the fibre to open and soap helps the fibres to slide together, interlocking the fibres and resulting in a permanent bond.
Felt has been made since as early as 6500 to 3000 BC.
Experimenting in class I was excited to discover how fast one can make a piece. My first piece was a small purse that took me an afternoon in college. At home I had more time to experiment and made two shoals/scarfs. I am pleased with the way it turned out and would love to make more and experiment more with this.
Heat and moisture allow the seals on the fibre to open and soap helps the fibres to slide together, interlocking the fibres and resulting in a permanent bond.
Felt has been made since as early as 6500 to 3000 BC.
Experimenting in class I was excited to discover how fast one can make a piece. My first piece was a small purse that took me an afternoon in college. At home I had more time to experiment and made two shoals/scarfs. I am pleased with the way it turned out and would love to make more and experiment more with this.
After experimenting with all textile processes I decided to attempt to make a leather tribal type dress, something with some age to its style and a story to tell. I have never made a dress before and did not even have a mannequin. I made one with tape and an old tshirt and my daughter as the body shape. Then I had a frame I could work from, using tracing paper I drew out my pattern on the mannequin and then traced it onto the leather. I covered the mannequin in cling film and used a hot glue gun to assemble all the pieces together. then adding things I found as adornment to the garment. I then mixed paints to a reddish brass colour and painted all the metal work.
Matt Reitsma's (textile designer for Noah) use of leather and textile has age and interesting textures. More time and experimenting on the aging effect is needed to recreate the distressed look of his work.
Matt Reitsma's (textile designer for Noah) use of leather and textile has age and interesting textures. More time and experimenting on the aging effect is needed to recreate the distressed look of his work.
Matt Reitsma - Head Textile Artist for Noah
By Joe Kucharski - March 29, 2014
Matt Reitsma is an accomplished textile artist, whose work spans from beautifully delicate, to heavy painting, dyeing and distressing. His incredible artistry allows film and theatre costume designers to realize their vision with exquisite, custom fabrics. He has worked on such wonderful films as Memoirs of a Geisha, The Last Airbender, The Hobbit and Star Trek Into Darkness. Having recently worked with costume designer Michael Wilkinson on Man of Steel, the two have reunited to bring to the screen some of the most complex and stunning textured textiles for the film Noah. I recently had the chance to ask him about his background and work on this project.
Though my research I found that layers upon layers of paint where applied to the cloth then dried and washed repeatedly to achieve a distressed even apocalyptic look. Layers of gesso applied and force dried with a hair dryer to create an unstable surface to paint on then when washed it would reveal layers of paint. I am interested in trying to recreate some ideas from both my artist and in particular like the idea of fabric telling a story from rich, royal silks and satins to lower class or manual labour worker cottons hessian and other raw materials. I am particularly interested in working with leather and trying to make a piece from their raw materials.
Manon Gignoux
Manon Gignoux makes clothes, soft sculptures, accessories and jewelry using pieces of fabric to create soft coloured faded pieces.
She is very versatile and likes to experiment with the look of wear and tear which I also find aesthetically pleasing its softens the piece and gives it a loved and cherished feel as if it have been with someone for years. I would like to experiment more on reproducing this distressed worn look.
Hannah Lamb
Hannah takes inspiration from local landscapes, personal, emotional. Using materials and objects found in the environment is essential to her practice; working with wild plant materials, natural dyes. Hannah's practice aims to develop a greater awareness of our relationship with the environment
This collection from Hannah Lamb is called "In search of green".
An ethereal presence, delicate as memory, response to moving through landscape. I am attracted to the natural feel of Hannah's work; the simplistic stitching and muted colours give the pieces a sense of history and appear as if they have a story to tell and also choosing to show them hanging on wooden branches just adds to the natural almost mysterious feel of these pieces and whilst hanging makes them look ghostly floating through the room.
An ethereal presence, delicate as memory, response to moving through landscape. I am attracted to the natural feel of Hannah's work; the simplistic stitching and muted colours give the pieces a sense of history and appear as if they have a story to tell and also choosing to show them hanging on wooden branches just adds to the natural almost mysterious feel of these pieces and whilst hanging makes them look ghostly floating through the room.