#textiles development

On wednesday 7th June 2018, I finally have the chance to learn about weaving. Most of the time, I learned about how to set up the weaving loom. And yesterday (thurday 8th June 2018), I completed the setup process and then made a start on making a sea-themed weaved rug.

 On Tuesday 3rd March 2015, following some reading about the natural dyeing process, I attempted to have fabric samples dyed in onion skins. 

The skins used for the dying process experiment are from one yellow onion and one red onion. They were used separately, because I wanted to see what colour differences they had in comparison.

The two onions skins were boiled for one hour in two separate pots. During this time, I noticed the change in colour of the water (dark brown for red onion skin, and light brown for yellow onion skins), showing the extraction of the colour from the onion skins. 

However, as the electric hot plate set on boil tends to make the water quickly evaporate, I topped both pots with warm water before the onion skin dye liquid is lost.

After an hour, with the pots half-full, I added cold water to each pot, then placed wet fabric samples (they were submerged in cold water for a hour), before putting the hot plate setting to simmer. Afterwards, this became a test of patience, as I had to wait until the fabrics are dyed with the desired colours. During this, I gently stirred the pot, so as to not get the fabrics to stick in the pot and for the onion skins to get stuck onto the samples.

After finally getting the desired colour, the fabric samples are rinsed in cold water before being placed on a clothes rack to dry. The reason for this is because the spinner and tumble dryer are used by other students at the time.

To help me identify which dyed fabric was which, I pinned a piece of paper with the dye (red onion, yellow onion) on each area where the fabric samples were placed.

The process of dying with onion skins was a good experience, because it gave me a better understanding of what to expect when trying out natural dyes. The process I did had no mordant; from the books I read on dyeing with onion skins, there were some that required alum mordant or none at all, so if I was to do this again, I could try with a alum mordant to see some differences.

Yesterday, the prototype piece is finally finished.

The main background is stuffed with toy stuffing, while the rest is stuffed with scrap fabric; at the time of making the little things, I didn't have toy stuffing to use, so I resorted to using scrap fabric. Rest assured that the final product will have no scrap fabric for stuffing, because it would make it too lumpy. 

Firstly, I’ll be attempting the process of flocking, which is a special process that requires flock glue (which can block screen prints if not washed immediately) and a type of electrical equipment that attracts the colour onto the glue to create a flock pattern.

Secondly, I’ll be trying the illuminated discharge process again, as the previous attempt failed because of the wrong choice of dye (the dye colour was just gone literally!). I've picked an appropriate dye this time.

And finally, I’ll be drawing 2D sketches and follow up with 3D drawings.

Working hard on my self directed project