Chapter Ten - Making Ripples - Chenille or Slashed Reverse Applique.

Well what a chapter, I've been engrossed in this for 18 hours and have made a few samples.

Before I start I just want to say that the scans are a bit blurred so I have included photos alongside.

10.1

10.2

Additional Section

Using a Soldering Iron

Firstly a made up a fabric test using kunin felt organza, chiffon, dress net, crepe chiffon and backed by cotton fabric. 

All Fabrics worked well.

Next up ….. trying different ways and shapes to move the soldering iron.

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I finally felt confident using the iron so I moved on to make a sample….

Before photo of stitching

After .

10.3 and Health & Safety

And me looking very cold whilst working on my samples 

Chapter Nine - Traditional & Contemporary Methods

Ok I'll admit I'm not pleased with my first sample (traditional method).

I used cotton fabric for all the layers but I just couldn't get to grips with folding the fabric under. It was extremely fiddly.

Traditional Method

9.1 - Traditional Method

However I have loved making the rest of the samples….

Contemporary Method

9.2 - Contemporary Method

These are additional samples of the above methods ….

9.3 - Additional Contemporary Method.

Contour & Ripple Effect

Next up my samples using the ripple and contour effect….

9.4 - Ripple & Contour Effect.

Evaluation

I think the samples I have produced show the a dramatic difference of the huge difference in looks using the same method but reversing the cutting. I'm so excited about this as the list of possibilities is endless. I've enjoyed experimenting with lots of different fabrics and textures to see what works well. My favourite sample is without a doubt the frayed star on page 9.3 both visual and texture.

Time spent - 17.5 hours.

Chapter Eight - Complex Samples

I Spent a long time trying to figure this chapter out. Hopefully I have took the correct path for the following samples.

I found it easier to design the samples on paper first and picking techniques to use. I have photo evidence of my scribbles.

This helped me tremendously by keeping me focused. I did change a few samples as I went along and when idea's popped into my head.

8.1

I'm pleased how both the these samples turned out. However I must say the bright orange looks red on this scan but I assure you its orange. I love the shapes and the complexity.

8.2

These are my favourite samples out of the six. The top sample is by far the most eye catching (but that is just my opinion). The second sample was not on my original list of designs. I used the negative shape form the previous sample page to create this sample, and I'm glad I did. This is my most interesting sample (in my opinion).

8.3

My final sample page. This is blurred which I assume because of the padding.  The top sample I'm not sure about. I don't know why, maybe its the design shapes. The bottom sample works better, looks full of texture. Because the page is blurred I've taken photos to show the areas of padding. 

This chapter has been very enjoyable and interesting. I'm amazed how one set of shapes can produce so many different looks and even in the same colour combination.

I have probably taken longer than needed for this chapter however planning and sketching idea's really helped.

Time taken - 25 hours.

Chapter 7 - Translating The Layered Designs Into Embroidery

I have made up 6 samples for this chapter in which all designs came from my previous chapters.

Materials used -

 muslin

satin

felt

dress net

cotton

denim

even weave

organza

wool

Perle threads

machine embroidery thread

tissue paper

tracing paper

decorative thread

My first sample -

 

 

In the stitched sample I found things easier by using tracing paper to copy my design. I used denim as the background, cotton for the middle layer that created the border and the satin for the symbol. This sample was hand stitched using a basic back stitch using blue Perle thread and orange yarn.

Sample two & three.

This is one of my favourite designs so I decided to make two samples using different colour combinations.

Shiny, slippery fabric for the backing, felt and dress net for the layers. Hand stitched using parallel stitches and a whipped back stitch. Perle thread, stranded embroidery thread and tapestry yarn were used. I love the different textures in this sample.

Cotton fabric for the backing, cotton and satin for the layers. Hand stitched using whipped stem stitch, fly stitch and back stitch. Perle thread and yarn were used.



Sample four

I took a design from the leftovers I had in a previous chapter.

This sample has four layers of applique. Cotton for the backing, cotton, satin, felt, and a bonded fabric. Machine stitched using decorative border stitches, zig zag, satin stitch and blanket stitch.


Sample five.

This is another design I took from the leftovers I had.

Even weave for the background, cotton and a bonded tissue paper fabric for the layers. Machine stitched using decorative stitches and variegated threads. I don't really like how this sample turned out. It doesn't give the effect of being interlinked very well.

Sample Six


 This is an asymmetric design for a previous chapter.

Denim for the background, dress net and felt used for the layers. Machine stitched using straight stitched, and zig zag to couch over metallic cord.

I spent 22.5 hours on this chapter.

Ive thoroughly enjoyed the stitching samples and I'm finding I'm more confident with colour shades.

Chapter Six - Use of Bonding in Applique

For this chapter I used sheets of Bondaweb.

I followed the method of -

Ironing the glue side (using baking parchment) on to the back of the fabric.
Cutting the desired shapes.
Peeling of the backing paper
Placing the cut shape on to the background
Iron in to place.

I used lots of different materials in the orange and blue colour scheme and with lots of different textures.

Felts
Dress net
Satin
Cotton
Organza
Chiffon
Even weave
Merino felt tops
Sequins
Embroidery Thread
Wool and Yarns
Pom Poms
Crumbled tissue paper
Perle threads.

6.1 - The first sample on this page didn't bond successfully because of the thickness of the fabrics used. 

6.2

6.3

Next up are my bonded fabrics with bits.

Felt backing, cotton fabric bits, yarn, perle thread and sequins with organza top.

Cotton background- lace, pom poms,, yarn, metallic thread, perle thread, embroidery threads, sequins with organza top.

Crumbled tissue paper backing - dark blue yarn with tissue paper on top.

Organza front and back with merino felt tops and sequins - needed more adhesive 

Painted Bondaweb with acrylics

Painted Bondaweb with acrylics and metallic gold paint

Printed denim sample with bonaweb painted shapes ironed on.

Next are my design using the decorative bonded fabrics I made.

6.5

6.5

Material Cost - Acrylic Paints - £1.75

Sheets of Bondawab - £5.55

Total - £7.30

Time Taken - 18.5 hrs.

I have really enjoyed this chapter. Its probably taken me a little longer than I thought but its been so interesting.

Chapter Five - Selecting & Decorating Fabrics

When I read through this chapter I just knew I was going to enjoy it, and I certainly did.

So I started off by rummaging through my fabric stash for fabrics that matched my colour scheme I selected as well as finding out acrylic paints.

I had managed to find quite a lot and I found I had a good mix and fabrics with texture differences so I was keen to see how they coped with printing.

I used cotton, denims, even weave, chiffon, organza, dress net, felt, satin and some blue stretchy shiny stuff that I found hiding away.

I'm lucky to have a large table which I cover in plastic and taped down.

mid way through printing

I used my three stamps from the previous chapters and stuck to my blue and orange theme. I looked at my prints on paper as my inspiration.

I'm am pleased with the results. Its been really interesting to see how the fabrics like the chiffon, organza and dress net coped. I think they are great in there own rights, the paint seeped through the layers leaving a great textured appearance.

I have taken individual pictures of the samples I think are most impressive. 

I had no costs in this chapter, all the fabric was found in my stash and I also had the acrylic paints.

Time Logged 20/01/2016 -  6 hours - this includes finding fabrics, ironing, setting up the table and printing