Chapter 7 - Traditional Piecing Methods

Chapter 7 - Traditional Piecing Methods

First up my paper designs of log cabin variations using my paper stash.

PAGE ONE

PAGE TWO

PAGE THREE

PAGE FOUR

PAGE FIVE

On each page I draw a diagram and number the strips in order so it was easier for me when it came to the fabric samples. 

Then I moved on to the Seminole method paper designs......fascinating.

PAGE SIX

PAGE SEVEN

PAGE EIGHT

PAGE NINE

I found this method harder, however more interesting and in my opinion more pleasing on the eye.

So on to the fabric samples. 

I used my hand dyed fabric plus the fabrics I had collected in the previous chapter.

PAGE TEN

PAGE ELEVEN

PAGE 12

The next sample would not properly fit in the scanner...... my fault, I should have made a smaller sample. But I love this sample so I've uploaded the images I have.

TRIANGLE LOG CABIN - SCAN

TRIANGLE LOG CABIN.

I love these samples....but would it be strange of me to say I actually prefer the reverse sides.....

And then the Seminole method fabric samples...

PAGE THIRTEEN

PAGE FOURTEEN

PAGE FIFTEEN.

The last sample on page fifteen is my absolute favourite sample and made out of scraps too. 

But again the reverse sides I find more interesting.....

This is my favourite sample/photo of the whole chapter.

After I had finished I decided to have a go with machine embroidered and whip stitched strips. Looking back at chapter three, I picked out a few samples and stitched on to hand dyed fabric.

PAGE SIXTEEN

Unfortunately my scanner doesn't like fabrics and some scans look wonky so I have included photos as well. 

This chapter has been so enjoyable. The effects are surprising. Some samples worked a lot better than others but I think the majority worked in their own way,

Costs - Cotton Thread - £1.80

Time Spent - 30.5hours

Chapter Six - Cold Water Dyes & Fabric Paints

CHAPTER 6

PATTERNING OF FABRICS USING COLD WATER DYES AND FABRIC PAINTS 

Firstly I collected fabrics in the black and white theme.

Shibori Dyeing 

Next up was Shibori Methods…..I was very nervous about this. I think it was the fact I needed to put pure white fabric into to black dye. 

However before I made a start I needed to find out about the techniques. My friend Google helped me out…..

Kanoko Shibori

Also meaning tie-dye. Tightly bound cloth determines what pattern is achieved. Circles can be achieved using this method.

Miura Shibori

Also known as loop binding. Plucking sections of cloth with needle and thread. The threads are not knotted as the tension holds it together.
Kumo Shibori

Is pleated and bound resist. Pleating cloth finely and evenly.

Nui Shibori

Using a simple running stitch then pulled tight to gather. Threads are secured by knotting.

Arashi Shibori

Also known as pole wrapping. Fabric is wrapped diagonally around a pole and scrunched up.

After this I relaxed a little more and made a start.

For this task I used lots of white fabric. I used Dylon Black Velet cold water dye and a a mixture of washing soda and salt to use as a fixative. 

A - Plain white cotton - Left to soak over night

B - Fabric Twisted and wrapped around a tube then tied with string - Dabbed with ink

C - Wooden block with fabric folded and cover around it - Dunked into dye.

D - Gathered with a running stitch - Dunked into dye

E - Twisted fabric and string tied in various places - dabbed with dye

F - Fabrics with pebbles held in with elastic bands - dabbed with dye

G - Gathered fabric using elastic bands - dabbed with dye

H - Fabric rolled into a ball and secured with elastic bands - dunked in to dye

I - fabric folded back and forth with lollipop sticks in-between as a resistant - dunked in to ink

J - fabric rolled and secure with elastic bands - dabbed with dye

K - Fabric folded into triangle and a tin lid held in place with bulldog clips - dunked into dye

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

My results seemed better when I dabbed the dye on to the samples, I had more control over the end result. I was looking forward to seeing the sample with the lollipop sticks however the dyes took over. In future I would like to try this again and use a different dye. However I have loads of fabric sample to use doing this technique.

Mono printing Samples

Again using white cotton fabric using acrylic paint and textile medium.

Using a polystyrene cup to print

Same design as above - 2nd print

Design using jute

Design drawn in using blunt pencil 

 I then had another what if moment and decided to use black fabric and bleach. I liked this method in the previous task so I thought I'd give it a go.

Sponge bleach over jute

printing with bleach using card

Printing using polystyrene cup and card

Mottled effect - printing with a dishcloth

Health and Safety

Through out all this chapter I did take precautions especially when it came to covering work surfaces to do dyes, paints and bleach and wore latex gloves. For the shibori technique I actually dyed everything outside so i could hang it to dry right away. When using the bleach I worked in a well ventilated area because of the fumes.

Evaluation 

Again this chapter has been really intriguing and thought provoking.

Shibori - New technique I've learnt . Ive enjoyed experimenting after I got over the initial concerns and being nervous. Learning about the  technique certainly helped. Not all experiments worked but I've learnt that dunking the parcels in the dye does not give the most satisfying results.

Mono printing - More comfortable with this probably because of printing the paper samples first. My favourite prints are the jute because of the amazing texture effect it creates and also the second print.

Additional samples -  The bleach samples. Like in the previous chapters I like to see the white effect and black too to get a feel of differences.
So I opted for for bleach and black fabric. I love this technique. When you print it takes a while to see what you've actually created. Again the jute sample is my favourite….I love the look of the scales in places. Really pleased with the results.

Costs - White cotton - £12.00

            Dye and fixative supplies - £3.00

           

Total          £15.00

Time Spent - 29 hours

Chapter Five - Make Patterned Papers

Make Patterned Papers

My mission on this chapter was to create patterns inspired by designs in the previous chapters using ink,  bleach and paint.

Here's how I got on. … I just want to add that I found writing descriptive words along side the prints helps me to visual the results better.

First up the ink pages - I used foundation pen ink on all samples.

Ink Samples

PAGE ONE

PAGE TWO

PAGE THREE

PAGE FOUR

PAGE FIVE

PAGE SIX

PAGE SEVEN

PAGE EIGHT

Bleach Marks

Printing on to black tissue paper with bleach. I was a little nervous about this but I'm pleased with the results and its a fun technique.

PAGE NINE

PAGE TEN

PAGE ELEVEN 

PAGE TWELVE

Monoprints

Strangely I found this more difficult but still fun and I am looking forward to trying this technique out on fabric.

 

Monoprint prints using acrylic paint. 

PAGE THIRTEEN

PAGE FOURTEEN

PAGE FIFTEEN

PAGE SIXTEEN

 EVALUATION

I enjoyed all techniques but I think each technique had a pattern that suits it better. i.e i think the ink printing look better with linear designs (pages 1, 8). 

The bleach print looks better with the mottled and curvy prints (pages 10, 12). 

The monoprinting in my opinion looks better using less paint and using a second print.

Costs - Ink - £5.00 - lots left over

            Paper - £ 3.00

            Bleach - 99p

            Paint - 99p

Total - £9.98

TOTAL TIME - 10.5HRS