Thermoplastics Heat Manipulation
Method of altering the shape of thermoplastic fabrics through heat i.e. boiling.
Materials:
- Thermoplastic Fabric (100% Polyester)
- Rubberbands
- Aluminium Foil
- Mould/Forms
Instructions
- Wrap the fabric around object forms (i.e marbles) and secure tightly with rubber bands.
- Wrap them with aluminium foil and tighten with rubber bands or masking tape.
- Put it in boiling water for at least 1 hour.
- Remove and let cool and dry.
- Unwrap it only when cool and remove marbles from shaped fabric.
My Explorations
From my previous smocking technique to create roses, it was basically just the twisting of cloth plus securing it. Hence, I wanted to see if I can achieve the same effect using heating thermoplastics instead.
So I first twisted the fabric and secured with binder clips.
Then I added aluminum foil and secured with small hair bands I brought since I thought they are smaller and hence easier to use than usual rubber bands.
Finally, I rolled it all up and wrap it in aluminium foil.
Next, I also brought some ice cream sticks. and was exploring what I can do with them.
However, for the above picture, I realised since the middle is loose, the only part which the shape will hold are the ends of the ice cream stick. Hence, I removed them all.
Lastly, I wanted to see if I can achieve a moon crater texture.
So I started off with making a ring and a circle with aluminium foil.
Then, I wrapped the fabric around the circle and secured with a rubber band to imitate the insides of the crater.
Next, I flipped it over and then wrapped it around again and secured with another rubber band in hopes to form the ridges of the crater.
Then, its boiling time!
Results:
Unfortunately, it looks nothing like roses, but at least there was still some spiral form that can unravel and spring back.
I feel like the stiffness of organza might be causing the straight edges which makes it looks like mountains instead of round rose petals. Perhaps a softer polyester fabric like chiffon will have better results.
Next, for the crater:
Is also a failure! :((
I guess the tightness of the rubber band kind of makes it shape like a pouch instead.
However, it does remind me of this knit sculpture that plays with opacity, and hence does have the potential to create an interesting lamp.
Overall, I am quite sad that there is a gap between expectations and reality with my forms but I’m glad I can learn from my mistakes and do better next time!
I will try again, next time with a few points in mind:
- Hair ties are very weak and most of them broke, which might have compromised on the shape of the fabric. Next time, stick with rubber bands.
- The best forms are areas of high tension on the fabric, and hence perhaps smaller objects would be preferred so as to maximise tension with the rubberband.
- Make sure that the aluminium foil covers the entire thing fully without gaps.
UPDATED: Round 2!
So this time I decided to use something smaller and borrowed some wooden cubes that Meryl had cut!
This time fastening using yarn instead of the fragile hair ties.
Then wrapped in aluminium foil and ready to boil!
Next, I wanted to try using some marbles and cup cover.
This time I tried using the red rubber bands I brought and turns out it is easier than yarn as I can fasten a few at once.
There wasn’t enough space on the fabric for a second ‘flower’, so I tried braiding the excess cloth corners instead.
Once again wrapped in foil and ready to boil!
Initially I wanted to boil at home but I remembered that the alumni mentioned we shouldn’t use a pot that will be used for cooking food since it might be contaminated with plastic.
So, I decided to do it in school instead, outside the sewing room for good ventilation.
After 1 and a half hours of boiling…
The water level seemed really low by the end, and I was worried this might affect the results.
Nonetheless, I decided to see the end products first.
Removing the foil after it has cooled..
Tada!
The fabric seem to have taken the shape much better than my previous attempt, and the shimmer of the blue fabric under the sunlight makes it very attractive!
Also similarly impressed by my ‘flower’!
Since I had to unravel the braid to remove the objects inside, and the form kind of looks like a jelly fish now haha!
Overall, I am very glad to have tried again and am very happy with my results! In fact, I liked the cubes one so much I have an idea to turn it into a hair tie! Stay tuned! 😀
A P P L I C A T I O N S