As you can see, over the four weeks of work in the textiles workshops, we covered many different processes. Three of the processes shown here are Felt making, Paper making and Screen printing (finished items shown above.)
To make the felt, you will initially need felt fibres (in various colours if you want patterns, or just plain if you prefer), Some bubble wrap, an old towel (to clean spillages) some washing up liquid diluted with lukewarm water, and a piece of net or mesh.
-Placing the bubble wrap onto the towel, line your pieces of fibre, (plain first to make a base) roughly about the size of an a5 sheet. then repeat this step putting the cotton horizontal
instead of vertical. Then, cover your fibres with the net and lightly spray the soap and water, pressing down so the fibres stick. After, you can apply more layers if you want a plain strong piece, or start to add a background and desired pattern. when this is completed, do the soap and net stage again. We next roll the bubble wrap tightly with the fabric in, and begin to roll and squeeze for two minutes, teach time turning the fabric 90 degrees so it is rolled out equally. This step is to ensure the fibres join together and become stronger. Repeat all four turns until you feel the fabric is strong enough (i.e. it doesn't pull apart.) In a bowl of steaming hot water, roll your fabric in some cotton and carefully squeeze to remove excess water and soap. then rinse under the cold tap and leave to dry.
To make the paper ,you will need recycled shredded paper( newspaper acceptable), a frame, a sponge and some J-cloth.
-The paper pulp is firstly made my blending paper with water to form a mush; it will then be put into a long tray with water, to water it down (roughly about two-three handfuls per tray.) place your j cloth on the table, and put your frame into the tray, shaking it around so the pulp is spread evenly. peel away the pulp from the edges so it does not stick and is easier in future use, and turn over onto the j cloth. use your sponge to dab the opposite side of the frame to squeeze the water out as best as you can, then peel the frame away. It should leave a square, or circular9 depending on frame) sheet. Then leave to dry.
Screen printing is a process which involves printing a pattern from a screen onto paper or fabric. In our case we had ready made screens, but you can create your own. You will need a squeegee, a screen, a hosepipe to clean afterwards, some fabric or paper and some fabric paint.
-Place your screen onto the fabric, and choose your desired colour of paint ( you can mix colours to make a rainbow effect.) using a spoon or spatula, take some paint and put it in a line at the top of your screen. using the squeegee, from behind the paint push down firmly and push down the screen to spread the paint. then turn over the squeegee and push back up to the top. Then leave to dry.
Afterwards, spray your screen and squeegee with the hosepipe to ensure all the paint is taken off. Stand around a metre away from your screen as hosepipes are dangerous and could result in an accident. Then leave to dry, preferably in a heated room if you want to reuse again with another colour straight away.
