Subscribe to RSSSurface Treatments
There is a reason why Digital Pattern is my first ‘surface’ class at MICA- I’m terrible at surface treatments. I can build things no problem (which is why I’m a weaver), but chemicals are not my thing. Which is also why you haven’t seen any dye work from me in, well, years. Let me rephrase, these are things I’ve had training in, and can do competently if I really focus, but I just don’t enjoy it, and so things never really turn out well. But for my latest Digital project the focus is on post-print treatment, and while my forte is embroidery (including beading, sequining, and appliqué), I wanted to step out of my comfort zone and do a little bit more. And with ten samples due with this project, I had to anyways.
Foiling is pretty easy. Screen print (or paint) glue (we used Sobo glue and that seemed to work fine) down on your fabric, let it dry, apply foil and burnish, et VOILÀ!
A terrible picture because, honestly, I did a pretty terrible job. But let’s just say I was going for like, super crappy old rustic ruined circus. Which also describes the next sample!
Devoré is the chemical burning away of fibers. Which is pretty awesome and kind of badass sounding, but again, I don’t really have any interest in using it long-term. I had some mishaps with the chemical, so there are lots of surprise holes happening. Surprise!
Collage + Pattern
Let me start off by saying that in the long term, I have very little interest in textile design and the textile design industry. So when I signed up for Digital Pattern and Print on Textile this semester, I knew I was going to be out of my element but I also knew that I was going to have a lot of fun.
Our first assignment was to create collages using different textures and qualities of surfaces that we would like to see printed on the digital fabric printer. We are currently in the process of becoming comfortable with Photoshop in the creation of single and half-drop repeat patterns. It’s freaking sweet. Here are my collages; we’re printing them next week.
Embroidery Samples
The mirrors were crazy hard and in OTHER NEWS I officially love sequins. I threatened to sneak into my roommate’s closet at night and embroider sequins onto all her clothes.
Learn to Crochet Day
I decided that since at the beginning of break I learned to knit (well, knit better) today must be the day I learn to crochet. In the past, I had tried everything from online diagrams to YouTube videos to try and learn the tricks of the trade and came up empty. Luckily for me, however, I remembered that grandmothers are probably the greatest invention of mankind, and mine happens to live right upstairs. So this morning I made my way up to my grandmother’s apartment with hook and yarn in hand and two hours and a giant headache later I emerged with these:
Okay, okay, OKAY. Let’s be honest. My grandmother did most of that. I made a pretty o.k. flower, but then she took it apart. And I know they look small, but come on guys! It’s hard! Also, that lady is a tough critic. These are her words as I’m working: “Good job. That’s pretty good. Well…pretty…good. Sure.” Very encouraging. But really, she was a great help, and now I kind of know how to crochet; but, more importantly, I spent a few great hours with a great woman.
Recovered Relics
Recovered Relics, 2009, Handwoven Cloth/Pickup, Linen, Cotton, Bamboo, Tencel
These are a few small pieces I wove as part of my final project for the semester. Following my thematic interest in folktales and anthropology, these pieces serve as personal and false relics of unknown origin. They are pieces of cultural significance without a culture, precious without historical purpose.
