Monday 4 April 2011

Teach yourself textiles - slashing and burning

Textiles I
I had a quiet weekend and have an appointment free week ahead so I am determined to fit in a few more exercises in my quest for textile knowledge.  Firstly, after watching a video from Fay Maxwell  about fabric slashing, I though I must have a go. (Thanks Lesley) Firstly I built up layers of fabric scraps on a piece of calico topped with a relatively plain piece of fine cotton.  I then straight stitched the layers together like this.
then taking a sharp pair of scissors started slashing the layers between the rows of stitches.

I only snipped through the back in a couple of places!

Slashing is only the beginning - the next thing is to wash the whole thing as violently as you can.  I was unprepared to devote  a whole wash cycle to this and unsure of colour fastness I hand washed it, but gave it a good scrubbing with my wooden lemon squeezer!!!  (Note to self - look for a old fashioned washboard) I then indulged in a fast spin, as it was very thick and then popped it on a rad to dry.

The green top fabric frayed so much I had to trim the threads, but the result is very tactile.  I am now deciding whether to add any stitching.



Natural Break
I did have to interrupt my stitching to cook a meal yesterday and when I popped into the garden for some rosemary a flurry of birds flew up from the cotoneaster which still has a lot of berries.  I had disturbed about twenty waxwings.  Luckily they didn't fly far and sat in a neighbouring tree while I rushed in for the camera.  The sky was dark and it was starting to rain.  There was even a loud clap of thunder, so no time to set up the large zoom and tripod which would have been better in this light.

A bit of cropping on this picture just renders enough detail for those of you familiar with this winter visitor to identify its characteristic profile with its tuft of feathers on its head.  I haven't seen waxwings and I am delighted to be able to add them to my weekly bird count which I submit to BTO Garden Birdwatch.


Textiles II
I have done the slashing, so here is the burning, although melting would be a better description. 

A selection of beads I made by melting anything meltable with my new heat gun.
 
 

Not sure what I am going to do with them - rather scratchy for  a necklace - but they are strung up at a window at the moment. 
Mr T was notable unimpressed by my experiments, but I know you'll be interested (I hope)
Jill

20 comments:

flutterbycrafter said...

Wow, this looks like fun, love the effect of slashing the fabrics, off to watch the video now for some ideas xx

Marigold Jam said...

What fun Jill - My OH is never very interested in my experiments either! Those beads would look great on some of your other textile creations - probably be overkill with the slashing?! Thanks for sharing.

JAne

Su said...

I love how tht slashing has turned out. I think I'll have to try that myself when I get a moment. I'm sure you'll find a use for the pretty beads and I'm not surprised your OH wasn't impressed, I don't think they can identify with why we'd want to cut, burn or melt things at all!

Sandra Hall said...

Oh Jill, I have vicariously achieved that wonderful textile look just by reading this post! Amazing fun! I LOVE the look of the fabric and I too shall follow the link :D
Your photographs, as ever, are stunning too :) x

ju-north said...

Always interested!

Jensters said...

Oh i so love slashing....yours is wonderful....I did a small course with fay on it.....yours is stunning....love the beads too.

menopausalmusing said...

Lovely experimental fabrics. Of course, having read your link, I ended up watching Youtube tutorials instead of doing other stuff...;O)
Great to have seen waxwings.

webb said...

The slashed textile is lovely. You will surely find something fun to do with it.

Love the waxwings. Haven't seen any in years, so glad you did.

Thimble Fingers said...

I like the slashed textiles, they look wonderful and make you want to touch them.

Sharne Gregory said...

Looks like you are having lots of fun with your experiments. Have you tried Tyvek for making beads? I have a some spare if you send me your snail mail addy, I will post you some.

Clare Wassermann said...

I love that spiral - it's like a galaxy isn't it? I have an identical husband!!!!!

Emma said...

That was a Colouricious video, lovely work (Fay Maxwell has short grey hair) She did Episode 5 on Talking Threads from Colouricious & I signed up for the free series of videos but I've just discovered i've been locked out by Vimeo! Must sort that. Do try to watch Fay, she's very informative. Meanwhile your experiments & waxwings are WONderful!;)

Liverpool Lou (Anne) said...

The slashing worked out really well Jill. I've made a couple of bags using that technique (but just using 4 even layers of fabric) but having watched the same video; I think; I want to have a go doing it the Fay did. I love the idea of the beads hanging at the window. Ah poor Mr T. Lovely to have seen the waxwings.
Anne xx

Heloise said...

The slashed fabric looks so soft and velvety. Love the colours and textures of the beads.

harmony and rosie said...

Certainly am interested. I have to say when I saw that first photo I thought it would be such a shame to cut but the end result is spectacular. What an interesting idea.

Ticking stripes said...

Love the effect of the slashing and the gorgeous colour combinations.

Karen said...

the slashing technique is so effective. a little warning about melting stuff...be carefull, the fumes can be toxic and the effects can only be obvious a long time after. I was melting for my C&G years ago and some months later got a terrible swelling in my sinus...unknown cause...I often wonder.

Unknown said...

I think teh slashing work is very effective also. It gives a really interesting texture and depth to the fabric. I think some further stitching on top might work very well, giving a really multi-layered approach. I always like to hear of your experiments and look forward to the next instalment.

PS: I hope that you don't inhale any nasty fumes from the heat gun.

Linda Vincent said...

What a great post Jill - sorry I'm so late.
I watched the video a few weeks ago and I'm hoping to have a go soon. Your piece looks like a great success...and I adore that chartreuse green!

Kathy said...

brilliant experiments