Fabric Printing by hand

These are the results of my first attempt at fabric printing by hand. I know it would be easier to screen print right away, but I want go through all the different ways and the affects the methods could have on the fabric. I might do some cut outs in metal again. Or try the same affect in anodizing aluminium.

This stamping method left smudges of paint on the outside of the pattern. Which when repeated too look like part of pattern. I'll be making a dress for myself.

Fabric Printing

I've been playing around with fabric printing. Started with stamping used cutout patterns and fabric paint. I wanted it to be fun and simple to do. I will show the results soon. I am buying a screen so I do screen printing too. How is this going to be an influence on my work? I don't know yet!

Intergration

Elements pierced out from copper plate
I had this idea that I wanted to try integrating jewellery with fashion. I meet with Nokwanda, a fashion designer of Controlled Chaos and discussed the technical issues of combining metal with fabric. These are the sketches from that talk. I had cut out these flower elements from copper plate, which I thought could be used for a dress. I planned on enameling each one to add colour. The copper might be too heavy and the enameling take too long. I have started investigating aluminium and anodising.

Embracing my inner Lace

I felt drawn to lace fabric for years and always tried to aviod it. I have this perception that it's girly and frilly and one thing I not is girly and frilly......or so I thought. So I secretly collected all these lacy things and images of lace like fabrics. Any fabric with cut outs, because of it's ability to hide and reveal. I think it's a little naughty. And naughty I am...

I like that you are able to look into the spaces too. Another pattern is created by the negetive space. The more open the pattern the better for me.

The patterns can bee too much for me sometimes so I like to look into the pattern for something simple. Translating that into jewellery is the real test for me. I want to try and keep the openess of the pattern in my work.

A look back!

Silver Leaf earrings


Silver leaf ring


Enamel brooch


Silver Floral cutout earrings with red enamel


Silver Floral cutouts earrings with blue enamel



Floral cut out studs


Forged Two finger leaf ring


Lady knuckleduster ring


Flower finger hugger


I looked back at the work that I produced over the last two years and realised that I have concentrated on forged rings that are sculptered around the hand and floral patterns inspired by lace or fabric, pierced out of silver. Above are a few of my favourite things( to borrow from the Sound of Music).