foThe last two weeks of term we managed to build and paint spectacular houses, as well as finish off the hats, the transfers and anything else left finsihed ready for the exhibition next week. The houses were made with cotton fabric stiffened with PVA, a technique learned from fabric artist Angie Hughe. This was done before the class and left to dry outside in the sun. The result was a fabric that behaved more like card, so it could hold its shape, particularly…
This week we got to try out some millinery – using vilene (stiffened fabric), metal hair bands and sinamay (the net stuff that milliners use). AS well as my box of random fabrics. We had a wide range of designs from the pre-existing such as (tiny) top hats, witches hat and beefeater hats to the completely new such as the drooping swan and the fire hat. The stapler was invaluable here as a quick and easy way to attach the fabric without waiting…
Over two weeks (along with hat making – see my next post) the kids have been working with iron-on transfer dyes, also called disperse dyes. Here you paint onto paper and when it is dry you can iron what you’ve painted onto fabric. This is a great technique to play with as you do not have to simply transfer what you paint, you can cut it up, and mask areas when you are transferring – very much like printing. The first step is…
We were tying ourselves in knots this week – intentionally, and imaginatively. Different knots and folds, around different objects (such as small stones and lolly sticks), and with different ties (elastic bands or cable ties) created different and amazing effects. In order to ensure the dye is reasonably colourfast – i.e. the dye won’t all run out in the wash – I soaked the fabric (100% cotton) in soda ash first. You could add soda ash to the dye instead but this means…
This week we made our own looms out of cardboard (cut along two edges with pinking shears) and used them to weave amazing patterns using wool, fabric, threads, ribbons – all sorts! The colours the kids combined were fantastic. This activity suits those who like to work slowly – really getting into the zone – rather than those who are easily bored with repetitive activities. It’s also one for those who like working with different textures – all the results are just begging…
This week everyone did a lot of stabbing – though of course not themselves or each other. Needle felting works by repeatedly stabbing the fleece with a special, barbed felting needle. This mats the fibres together and the felt gradually takes on a shape or form. You can do this 2d on top of pre-felt (semi felted fabric) or 3d to make small forms (most made animals). Be careful to do the stabbing on top of a large sponge and be careful always…
This week we used wire and fabric to make amazing sculptures. The idea came from Access Art but we didn’t use plinths this time, and the kids didn’t stick to people. The basic technique is to make a simple wire sculpture – e.g. a stick figure – and to cover it in strips of fabric ( I used a sheet from a charity shop). We used thin wire to keep wrapped around the fabric to keep it in place. Then they cut up…
This week we used glue instead of hot wax to form a resist against the acrylic paint. Originating in Indonesia, in batik hot wax would be poured on using a tjanting (a kind of tiny pot on a stick with a hole in the bottom). Then when the wax is dry and hard paint is applied onto the material and it won’t go wherever the wax is. You can build up layers this way, and whatever colour is beneath the wax will be…
So this term we are exploring textiles – including felting, dying, weaving, and even construction. To kick off we started with sewing, a fundamental skill so many are denied the opportunity to learn these days. And one that will come in handy throughout the rest of the term. This wasn’t sewing as a technical exercise – instead I encouraged the children to see the thread as another way to make a mark, just like with a pencil or a brush. The size, direction…