SLASHING

Slashing is a fun and easy technique, which is really straight forward but can give a variety of different effects. It is created by layering a number of fabrics on top of each other and stitching them together around the edges. From there you then machine stitch straight/wavy/diagonal lines, and then get a sharp pair of scissors or seam rippers, and slash away through the different layers of the different materials. 

The sample above shows the slashing technique, with fabric that was designed with mark makings using Procion dyes and a heat transfer press. Each fabric was different, and the slashing allowed the different colours and layers of polyester fabric to come through. Some materials work really well with just the slashing technique alone, but I like to stitch parts back and together to create more of a distinctive slashed look.

The image below shoes slashing which has gone through all the fabrics, creating holes.

Any type of material can be used for this technique and each one will give you a totally different effect. I have been using polyester for this project because I wanted to produce a 'rugged' and frayed look. You can also use a variety of colours to produce some bold looks or keep it with simple colours to produce a more subtle look.

For more techniques visit again!

Joelle

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SUFFOLK PUFFS

Suffolk Puffs are a fabric manipulation technique that I first learnt studying textiles at school and is one that I still love using now. I tend to use them in some way in everyone of my projects because I find it produces a simple and sophisticated texture. It is produced by cutting a circle from a fabric, then straight hand stitching around the edges. When the whole outer circle has been stitched, it is then pulled tight which allows the circle to fold in on itself. This produces beautiful effects, and is different every time, depending on the size of the circle and size and spacing of the stitches.

So much can then be done to develop this technique further. The example above shows the Suffolk Puffs being stitched down around the edges onto fabric, and slotting into each other, like a jigsaw effect. I have then added two styles of beads for extra texture and colour.

A previous project I used the same technique but without stitching them down flat. Instead I allowed them to fall where they wanted, giving a scrunched look.

There is so much you can do with this technique and you will probably be seeing it again soon on Textured.

Until next time

Joelle

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TEXTILE DESIGN SHOW

It's been a while since my last post due to being extremely busy getting my final degree project finished and working towards my end of degree shows. The first being at the beginning of June at Northbrook College in Sussex, 3rd- 7th June, and the second I will be showing my work at New Designers at the Business Design Centre in Islington, 23rd-28th June.

I have been working on a fabric manipulation and print fashion project that is based on the theme of 'The Seven Deadly Sins'. I felt this was a great theme as it would allow me to experiment with print, knit, embroidery, colours and materials. I focused my main samples on the sin 'Pride' as I felt that the crisp white colours really helped to show off the fabric manipulation techniques I used. 

To create these pieces, I used the techniques, gathering, pleating and Suffolk puffs. I then used beading to add texture and a slight hint of colour. I feel these techniques are extremely effective and look sophisticated and high end. These pieces were made with the idea that they would be used for Couture garments. The mannequin heads were a great buy from eBay at £16.99. I felt they helped show off how I visualised my samples in a sophisticated way as well as helping create a sinister tone to go with my theme. 

When displaying my work, I wanted to show off my main samples which were on the mannequin heads, but also show off the other sins and the designs I had come up. I wanted a clean look, but without looking too minimalistic. 

My scarf designs were a last minute designs to go with my embroided samples. I wanted to show the other sins in some way and show off my printing skills. These prints are digitally produced and created from drawings and heat transfer prints. I feel it all works well together and creates a dramatic look by looking bold due to the contrast between all the colours. 

Here are a few of the fabric manipulated samples I produced for my display. From the top I used the technique chords, beading and pom poms. They all have a very unique feel to them and completely different texture which I have created and used for the different individual sins. 

In my next blog posts, I shall be going into more details of the different fabric manipulation techniques showing my whole design process of my latest project.

Joelle

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