Fusing of plastics makes use of heat fusion, causing the materials to melt and be welded together. Properties of the original plastic also changes with the heat (i.e.  plastics shrink due to the realignment of the internal structure and the release of trapped air)

Materials required:

• Iron
• Baking paper
• Plastic items (bags, bubble wraps, netting, etc)
• Scissors

Technique:

• Arrange the materials
• Place baking paper on top
• Iron over the baking paper

Applications include:

• making use of the waterproof qualities of plastic (e.g. raincoats, hats, bags) and sewn together like fabric
• up-cycling and art-making

Personal reflections:

The fusing of plastics allow new forms of textiles to be made, and from it a meaningful design can emerge . This changed my impression of plastic as a wasted piece of disposable! It is as if plastic is a three-dimensional sheet of paint, fluid yet structural.

Bleach contains hypocloric acid, a strong oxiders that attacks the  carbon bonds in the dyes of fabric.  The addition of chlorine or oxygen to the dye breaks the molecule, removing the colour.

Materials required:

• Dark fabric made of natural fibre
• Mask and gloves
• Spray or brush
• Bleach solution
• Wear unwanted clothes

Technique:

• Mix the bleach  with water
• Lay the fabric in any pattern, or use stencils
• Use a spray or brush to apply bleach
• Stop the bleaching process by washing (the eventual result is white)

Applications include:

• Multiple-step process whereby bleaching can be done in layers
• “Adding” designs onto plain fabric through stencilling or tying
• Giving new life to old clothes

Personal reflections:

Bleaching and dying works in opposites. One removes and the other adds on. However, both results in beautiful effects we cannot predict and it is up to our control and experimentation. However, bleaching seems to be more constrained by the base colours.

Making fabric out of threads uses a water soluble stabiliser which provides the temporary support in the making of delicate and mesh-like fabric. It also allows the resulting fabric to be moulded.

Materials required:

• Sewing machine
• Sewing pins
• Water soluble stabiliser
• Threads, yarn, fabric, strips, trimmings, nets, etc

Technique:

• Arrange the materials between two water soluble sheets
• Use pins to secure the materials
• stitch using the sewing machine, starting from the edge
• Wash in warm water to remove the membrane

• To mould the fabric, stop washing once the membrane dissolves
• Place the fabric over the mould to dry
• When dried, spray with UV resistant clear acrylic spray

• Beads and other embellishments can be embroidered on

Applications include:

• The making of decorative objects, accessories and art works
• Incorporation of natural materials (e.g. leaves and vines)

Personal reflections:

It is fascinating to know that we can create our own fabric with our own preferred materials. It made me curious about what stabilisers are and did further research.

Upon researching, I found that there are indeed various types of stabilisers used in embroidery, lace-making, knits and others. The technique which we used provides temporary structure suitable for delicate and mesh-like surfaces. Designs can also be marked onto this soluble sheet as a guide. Basting around the design provides extra support.

 The website, Threads Magazine, also made a summary of the different stabilising methods available.