Saturday, April 13, 2019

Six Methods Used By Fabric Manipulation Textile Artists

By Jason Butler


Fashion is one of the most lucrative ventures to adopt. It has a diverse selection of fabric manipulation techniques which makes it easy to compete in a tight market. However, it is upon the artist to learn these techniques to stand in a competitive position. The following are six methods used by fabric manipulation textile artists to think through.

Applique. This is a technique that involves sewing pieces of fabric onto one material base to create beautiful designs. One can make the stitches by hands or using a sewing machine. One can adapt different decorative stitches such as satin, buttonhole and zigzag. A designer who intends to use this kind of manipulation technique should consider colors that match with the primary material to make a remarkable design.

Smocking. In this kind of manipulation, the artist stitches together fabrics by creating areas that release a sculptural effect. The effect can lead to raised squares, pinwheel, tubes and other shapes that one will manage to make. You can as well adapt complex patterns and grids that will define where to place the stitches and put the materials together. Look for a material that is not too stiff or thick such as cotton, silk or linens.

Patchwork. Patchwork involves using different patches with different patterns and colors to make one big piece. Piece work is another common name used to describe this kind of method. It is recommendable to maintain colors that match with each other to achieve a continuous material color. The difference between applique and patchwork is the use of an underlying material in applique which is different from the mosaic.

Embroidery. In this method, the artist uses different stitches to have a unique texture. Some of the embroidery techniques include Kantha embroidery, Chikankary, shadow, and sashiko. As a beginner, you have to look for the simplest methods that suit your knowledge and the kind of machines you have. Some of the natural techniques that a beginner can use include the bullion stitch, French knots, and knot stitches.

Learn how to pleat. Pleating is a common cloth manipulation technique that consists of folding a textile on itself. It creates an impression that can run through the whole material or to a certain point of the cloth. The artist can decide to press the pleats with iron to create an elegant impression or leave the creases to create a softer and more natural effect. One can use three types of pleating methods which include machine, hand and pattern pleating.

Fabric painting. An artist usually uses special paints to create a design on a material. One can also use the color to add a dimensional effect on the fabric. The best material to use is cotton due to its tight weaves. Make sure that you have quality brushes, paints, and design transfer materials for this process to be suitable enough.

There are quite a lot of other techniques that one can use other than the one highlighted above. As an aspiring designer, it is recommendable to learn one technique one by one to be sure about your suitability before you start learning the other. Look for reliable sources such as videos and even a professional that you can use to learn these techniques.




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