Illuminating the Present

Illuminating the Present

I enjoyed the experimental knitting workshop in my course particularly and loved how this cast shadows when lit behind a piece of fabric. Having experimented with painting the knitting unsuccessfully I decided to think this through carefully so chose a natural fibre to knit a net, then painted it with Anilinky Colours after wetting the cotton first so that it would take the colour. Although I have been working on a monochrome palette for these samples I felt introduction of a cool colour could be carried by the piece and I think the viridian tone adds to the dated look of the overall finished piece (when used sparingly). I then used the soldering iron to slash the fabric to create gaps that the knitted sample could be viewed through the spaces, and I also think this creates more f a 3D effect on the Nautilus.

Close up of Nautilus with Painted Knitted net illuminated from behind

The section below really was my happy surprise , I didn't want to throw away the sticky backed plastic stencil from the screen printing so I photocopied it and love the mottled effect achieved I then re-photocopied it onto “t-shirt” transfer paper, and ironed it to the screen printed muslin, I think the transfer sits really well on the open weave of the muslin and when illuminated from behind gives a 3D effect as the screen printed elements become visible again.

Illuminating the Present - used screenprinting stencil photocopied onto t-shirt transfer paper

Illuminating the Present - used screenprinting stencil photocopied onto t-shirt transfer paper

I had been interested in the ways the Nautilus image could be rotated and layered and this led to the below sample. The base fabric is a screen printed image created through rotation of the screen then pulling again. I have then added another piece of muslin over the lurex fabric, and I think the resultant image gives a confused sense of depth. I had considered slashing/burning the fabric on this sample but on reflection feel that the 3D blurry image is a sensible contrast to the other samples.

I had discovered that two layers of the lurex appear to “move” then lit from behind – the light reflected though the fibres moves in different directions. I kept this sample simple by layering the ammonite image with the nautilus image. I think the fact that it is not 100 clear what is behind the nautilus adds a sense of mystery and intrigue to the final sample below.

A Fun Day Layering and Distressing Fabrics!

What an enjoyable time I had for my course creating various samples of layered, heat bonded, distressed and burnt fabric! I felt quite giddy towards the end - I am not sure if this was due to the fun I had or the fumes from heated and melted fabrics......

Once the samples were created I then photographed them against a "wall" of the conservatory - which worked really well as a makeshift "light box", resulting in some stunning formations and patterns.

 

The above sample was created by layering "wedding favour" tulle with Lutrador which I then heated with a heat gun, the heat gun distorted the tulle and created this wonderful copper effect with the lutrador. I then further distressed it with a soldering iron. The second photograph shows the stark contrast in appearance when light is shone from behind.

The photographs above show a sample which was a number of torn fabric strips including painted muslin, lutrador, and synthetic fabrics which I stitched together then distressed with a soldering iron. There is a real contrast between photographs of the piece with a dark background or with light behind.

 The following five photographs show a sample made from layers of wedding favour tulle which as been stitched together in layers trapping metallic threads and sequins between the layers. I have then distressed and slashed the fabric layers with the soldering iron. The final photograph shows how when held up to the light the metallic threads and sequins create dark points of interest in the overall image, whereas the colour is more prevalent in the samples without the light behind.

 

The following two photographs show a piece which seemed to develop its own theme without much effort! I stitched scraps of muslin together with a torn photograph, painted twyvek and wool tops, i think on reflection this piece looks almost as though the wind has blown the layers together. I then distressed the piece with a soldering iron. I think this sample could be developed further though stitching to echo the branches of the trees and possibly attaching it to a darker background

Although I am a real fan of colour, the below sample is my favourite of this set of samples. This was made by layering chiffon with netting and fusing it together with bondaweb, I then heated the whole sample with a heat gun resulting in this amazing puckering of the chiffon. Also attached to the chiffon are watercolour painted twyvek scraps which create further areas of light and dark when lit from behind.

 A few more samples created using the techniques referred to above