[7] Fibre Etching and Bleaching

(Ps. photos not uploaded yet as I accidentally left my work at home however I will post the photos asap)

Fibre Etching

Fibre etching/ Devore is a fabric technique whereby a fibre remover is used on a mixed fabric textile commonly velvet-ish materials that consist a mixture of fibre(cellulose) and silk. This fibre etch remover can be used on cotton, linen and paper too.

Materials: Silk screen spreader, Fabric(velvet), Fibre Remover and stencil

Directions:

1. Place the stencil on the correct side of the fabric.

2. Pour some fibre remover gel on the top of stencil.

3. Spread the gel across the stencil using the spreader.

4. Let dry for 24 hours.

5. Iron the fabric till fibres turn brown

6. Hand wash the fabric in water.

7. Dyeing may proceed according to the artist’s preference.

8. WOOHOO ITS DONE!

Bleaching

Bleaching can be done through removing the colour pigment from the fibre using bleach and asa result, the fabric will be removed off its original colour and gives off organic/ inorganic patterns depending on how you bleach the cloth.

Materials: Bleach, Cloth(preferably cotton), Spray Bottle, Mask, Stencil

Directions:

1. Wear mask. Pour bleach in a spray bottle.

2. Prepare cloth on a flat surface- depending on the desired design, tie or put stencil on cloth accordingly.

3. Spray bleach on the cloth. Spray as appropriately.

4. Wait for the colour on the fabric to disappear.

5. Voila!!

I really like tie dye prints so this technique turns out to be really fun when you see the colour disappears right in front of you, like magic!!

[6] Thermochromic Printing

Thermochromic inks can act in two ways:

– Colour to colourless

– Colourless to colour

Today in class, we were taught how to use thermochromic pigment to turn coloured fabrics to colourless and here’s how!!

Materials: Thermochromic pigment, Fabric Paint, Screenprint Materials, Cups, Spoon, Spreader

Directions:

1. Have the screen print stencil ready beforehand

2. Prepare the thermochromic base by scooping 8 scoops of base and 2 scoops of coloured powder

3. Mix well

4. Lay the fabric on a flat surface and place the screen print stencil on top of the fabric

5. Scoop and place the base on one side of the stencil

6. Spread the base across the stencil using the spreader/ squeegee(?). Repeat this step to ensure even spreading on the fabric surface.

7. Lift the stencil and let ink dries

8. Voila!! You can use an iron to make sure the ink works well.

It was really fascinating to see the ink disappearing under the hot iron and reappearing after it cools down. It works like magic, I’m so amazeddddd.

[5] Knitting and Crochet

Knitting/ Crochet is a technique where you use thread or yarns to create fabric. The learning curve for these two methods is really a very steep process, however, once you get the hang of it, the whole process becomes easier and even quite soothing for the soul.

Knitting

Materials: Knitting sticks, yarn/ threads of your choice

Directions:

1. Find a tutorial online that is for beginners.

2. Follow the video

3. Voila(after 10 thousand years)!! You have your cloth done woohooo!!

Crochet

Materials: Crochet hook, yarn or thread of your choice

Directions:

1. Follow tutorial online for beginners

2. Follow tutorial closely.

3. Voila!! It’s done~

Personally, I feel that crochet is less time consuming than knitting and its easier to crochet than to knitting. However, in terms of final product, I feel that knitting has a nicer pattern and the sense of accomplishment has it more for knitting. I’m someone who has very little patience personally, however, I’m really proud of myself to be able to create so many different textures and form of knitting during this lesson.

[4] Fabric Manipulation: Smocking & Shirring

Smocking

Materials: Fabric, Handsewing Needles, Thread, Pen

Directions:

1. Find a smocking template online.

2. Copy the design as directed by the template onto the choice of fabric. (As my fabric was checkered in nature, it saved me the trouble for this step)

3. Follow the template and stitch the fabric accordingly

4. Pull the threads to gather the fabric together for the design to show

5. Voila!

Personally, I feel that this technique was quite fun and interesting especially when you start seeing your design come together after all the tedious hard work, it is really fulfilling.

Shirring

Materials: Fabric, Thread, Elastic Thread, Sewing

Directions:

1. Prepare elastic thread in the bobbin case and normal thread on the sewing machine

2. Mark your lines for shirring with a pen

3. Sew along the lines (I did this freely as it was hard to follow the lines when you start sewing)

I managed to create an outfit with this technique and its really worthwhile to create your own clothings. During the process, I really found joy making my own fashion items. Here’s a photo of a top I’ve made from shirring!!