Textiles Workshop.

15/09/2015

Batik
Batik is a technique originating from Indonesia, where melted wax is used to create dots or lines  using a spouted tool called a Tjanting. The wax can be applied to material and then painted over using dye, the wax is then melted off using boiling water, leaving a pattern in the fabric.
During the workshop, I used a Tjanting to apply melted wax onto paper, then painting over the top using brusho paint. The piece was then placed between two sheets of paper while an iron was used to heat the wax. The paper soaked up the excess wax.

Screen Printing
Screen printing is a printing technique where mesh is used to transfer ink onto a substrate, except in areas made impermeable to the ink by a blocking stencil.
In the workshop, the substrate used was cotton or calico. Either a piece of cotton or calico was placed underneath the screen and a coloured pigment was pushed through onto the material using a squeegee. A pressure wash was then used to clean the screens. Gum tape was used on the screen to stop the pigment coming through where the blocking stencil had broken off.

Puff Binder
Puff Binder was used in the same way as screen printing, but instead of pigment, puff binder is used. A heat gun dries the binder, allowing it to raise. Dye can be added to change the colour of the puff binder. The screen is then washed with the pressure wash or a sponge if the binder dries onto the screen.

Heat Press
A heat press is used to transfer an image on fabric.
In the textiles workshop the fabric used was cotton or calico. The paper transfer was placed on top the cotton in between two sheets of paper in the press. The heat press heated the transfer and cotton for twenty seconds. The material is then removed and pulled away from the transfer.

Sewing
Using the design made from the heat press, different sewing techniques were used to add colour and effect. The main sewing technique used was the back stitch.