Wearable Art expressed through Shibori, Katazome, Marbling, Felting
Wearable Art expressed through Shibori, Katazome, Marbling, Felting
~~~~~~~~~Shibori - The Japanese Art of Shaped Resist Dyeing
The ancient Japanese art of shibori is any shaped resist process which leaves a memory on cloth when dyeing in order to create pattern. Rather than treating cloth as a two-dimensional surface, with shibori it is given a three-dimensional form by folding, crumpling, stitching, plaiting, or plucking and twisting. Cloth shaped by these methods is secured in a number of ways, such as folding and knotting.
It is the pliancy of a textile and its potential for creating a multitude of shape-resisted designs, that the concept of shibori recognizes and explores. With shibori, the dyer works in concert with the materials, not in an effort to overcome their limitations, but to allow them full expression. An element of the unexpected is always present. This is its special magic and strongest appeal.
~~~~~~~~~Katazome - Japanese Paste-Resist Dyeing
A traditional rice paste resist dyeing technique using stencils to create intricate patterns on fabric. The paste resists dye, creating patterns when the fabric is submerged in indigo or other dyes. Popular since the 12th century in Japan, key usage includes kimono, garment and bedding decoration.
~~~~~~~~~Marbling - Fabric Printing with Floating Paints
Printing on fabric with paints while floating on a “size” - water thickened with wood pulp. The fabric has been pre-treated with alum, which allows the paint to adhere to the fabric surface. The printed fabric is gently rinsed then hung to dry. Once dry, the printed fabric is heat-set for permanence, washed, dried, then ready to be created into a garment.
~~~~~~~~~Felting - Creating Textiles from Wool
Felting is a way to create items of beauty, both fabric and sculptural, by means of changing the pH of the wool and using friction in an olive oil soap and water application. The wool fibers can either create fabric anywhere from loose and open to solid fabric. The addition of other natural fibers, such as cotton and silk felted into the wool, adds unique and interesting elemenuts.
Over thirty years ago, Barbara Jean, after serving as Production Manager for a designer of hand dyed silk woven‘s outer wear, gave birth to begin her own line of natural fiber art-to-wear. Searching for a relatively unique form of surface design for women’s garments, she was introduced to the ancient art of marbling.
With that knowledge along with further exploration, Barbara created a one-of-a-kind line of marbled silk women’s clothing.
During this period of time, Barbara was represented for several years in a showroom in the New York garment district. She continued her thirst to expand her artistic knowledge through a 2.5 year Masters Textile Art program. Due to Barbara’s expanded knowledge, she received attention within the New York fashion world. For several years, she created unique textiles for Rodarte which were featured within Kate and Laura’s unique designs, culminating each season by watching her textiles walk down the runway for New York Fashion Week. During this time, Barbara’s felting was featured at The Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum in New York.
Barbara Jean returned to her home turf of Portland, Oregon, continuing to focus on creating a variety of unique hand-dyed garments and scarves, along with felted scarves and vests.
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