FROCK ON! NEWCASTLE

As mentioned in my previous post, I've entered the Frock On! Competition here in Newcastle. The deadline was last Friday and the Gala Parade is this Saturday 27/6/09 at The University of Newcastle. The event not only provides an opportunity for designers to show their wares, but, more importantly, it is a Fundraiser for children with Autism.

This post is about my other entry, in the Recycled Threads category (or UPCYCLED??)... Firstly, buy some 2nd Hand 100% Woollen jumpers - easier said than done .....

Unpick them .... (or deconstruct as would be said in a Textiles Technology Syllabus)

Throw them in the washing machine, give them a HOT WATER wash .....

Hey presto! Felted Wool ....

Now, my original intention was to use all of these, join them up, to make a long line jacket, where each panel would be a block of colour .... however, the whole joining together thing was looking not sew great, and rather like a patchwork hobo blanky.....

Having taken a fresh look at the individual pieces of the little blue number, I decided to pin prick my lovely lady assembling the pieces to look like this ...... the two front pieces are the old sleeves, the old collar is the new halter neck ...

And the old front and back are draped for a sexy low back ... (hey! I don't have to wear it!)

Sew that is the plan for that ... then came along this doozy - I'm thinking late 1960's??? I do like the texture ....... there's a whole lotta synthetic happening here ....

I wanted something a bit cute and a tad leggy to go with the blue top ....

Sew, it's Burda to the rescue .... the little white shorts with the skirt overlay (remembering - IT'S NOT FOR ME!!!!)

Here's all that is left of that full length dress ....

The result ....

Back to the reconstruction of the deconstruction .... the chunky zipper - too white .....

Hit it with the Liquid Radiance "dye" .....

It really isn't the vibrant Peacock Blue you see before you!

I used nylon transparent thread throughout - most of the seams are on the right side, most of the joins are just overlays .... I didn't want any extra bulk ..... and here she is .....

My lovely lady doesn't have legs, so the shorts / skirt is just pinned to the front (she's such a good sport!).....

I quite like the exposed edges, they are a little bit dreadlocky ...

Lots of fun, trial and experimentation - it's good to have a go at something out of the ordinary, especially for a worthy cause. Come on Newcastle support the Frock On! Gala Parade - get your tickets here.

Dyeing and Stitching

Watch out all of you flower children ..... it's the age of Aquarius again!!!! I've been dyeing preparing for some School Holiday Workshops coming up .....

I've been using the Liquid Radiance Colours that I've talked about before ......

Here are the results .... groovy!

What's that Rolling Stones song? ..... ".... like a rainbow..." ?

OK, so here's the cushion - very simple...

And the back ....
Also a simple bag shape - with raw edges cut to be raggy .... this is before the washing machine ..
And this is after a wash and tumble dry ... all fluffy!

Add some cute little yo yos .... Liquid Radiance even dyes the elastic to match!
Voila! Anyone know when the next Woodstock is on???

Texstyle 08 - Liquid Radiance Fabric Colours

Day Two of the Texstyle 08 Teacher's Forum

Today I did a workshop with Ann Mitchell from Genesis Creations. Ann is from Toowoomba and she sells colours for fabric that are really really easy to use with minimal waste and maximum results. The best bit about them is that they can be used on ANY fabric - they are not dyes they are finely milled acrylics. Ann and her daughter, Margaret, organised a mega jam packed morning of fantastic colouration fun. We started with a goody bag and the tables all set up for colouring ….

Ann’s samples adorned the room …. These are "marbled flowers". You actually put marbles in the centres of the flowers ......

...... ahh the Psychedelic Tshirt ..... very Woodstock...


Can you see the tiny socks and singlets?

Most techniques started with wetting the fabric and squeezing out excess moisture. We worked on a piece of cardboard covered in black plastic – so you don’t need huge pots and sinks – unless you’re planning to do large pieces which can be done in plastic tubs – the key is to use minimal amounts – it is not an immersion method.

We then had a go at a range of techniques and laid all of our work out to “dry” – would be better done in sunlight – but we managed …. here is the marbling technique again ...

adding salt and sugar(!) gives an interesting effect ....
The range of possibilities is endless - and we only really had time to dabble in a few ..

We were all very appreciative of Ann’s efforts to present a really inspiring session – we could all see classroom potential for her products. Once dried the samples just needed an iron to heat set. Simple, safe and fun!