Archive Levis Red
Interesting detailing inspired by workwear from the Levis Red Archive collection at LN-CC
http://trendland.com/levis-red-archive-collection/
http://trendland.com/levis-red-archive-collection/
Cyanotyping on Fabric
The cyanotype, or blueprint, processes dates back to 1841 when it was discovered by Sir John Herschel. Although cyanotypes were originally produced on paper, they work very well on a variety of surfaces such as wood, card, leather and natural fibre fabrics. Cyanotypes are contact prints, meaning that the imagine is the same size as the object or negative that was used to create it. The white images on a Prussian blue background can range from delicate and subtle to sharp and angular.
To make the light sensitive solution, you mix ferric ammonium citrate and potassium ferricyanide. Taken from the recipe of Barbara Hewitt’s book ‘Blueprints of Fabric’, we used 30g of ferric ammonium citrate and 15g of potassium ferricyanide which we stirred into 250ml of warm water.
Mixing the potassium ferricyanide.
Mixing the ferric ammonium citrate.
Mixing the two together to create the light sensitive solution.
Fabric stretched onto a frame with the solution painted on. It is important to avoid putting it in any area where there is a lot of sunlight around. As soon as it is exposed to the light, the solution will start to react and the colour will begin to change.
Once the fabric is dry, we used the exposure cabinet to expose the solution to light. We printed our images/designs/drawings onto acetate and placed them underneath the fabric. Once exposed, the fabric is washed to remove any excess solution and the designs are are left white.
An example of the different shades of blue that can be created, depending on the fabric and the length of time the solution is exposed for.
Atlantis Inspired BLUE windows at Hermes Beverley Hills
Cool Blue Windows by Zim and Zou at Hermes Beverley Hills
http://trendland.com/zim-zou-create-atlantis-at-hermes-beverly-hills/
Blue Sky and Blue Tiles at the Mosque Hassan II Casablanca 26/10/13
Beautiful blue sky and intricate Islamic tiling at the Worlds 3rd Largest Mosque in Casablanca, Morocco
first date
Just met with Liz for the first time! Fortunately she is on it with a mood board and a really interesting geometric print idea. Now i’ve seen the shapes she’s starting with definitely gives some scope to start planning and visualising some ideas for my designs.
Woad Dyeing Workshop
Different yarns
Waiting for woad water to reach 50 degrees to places yarns in vat to dye
Yarns soaking in re-used woad. After the dye has been extracted the first time a second use of it then creates a pink colour when yarns are soaked in it.
The colour comes through once the yarn is taken out of the vat and exposed to oxygen
The yarns changed colour instantly from their natural colour to the different blue tones you can achieve from Woad. Each fibre reacts diffrently, creating slight variations of blue.
Examples of yarns which have been dyed using the woad plant.
Woad dying workshop
A woad plant
Woad balls were a traditional way of storing woad dye.
The woad plant has been used for thousands of years as a way of dying fabric and yarns blue, it also produces a light pink/beige. The blue comes from the leaves of the woad plant.
In the woad dying workshop I was part of the group using Woad pigment. Before the dying process the yarn and fabric were soaked in water, to allow the dye to take to the fibre.
pre-soaked yarn ready for the dying process
We used soda crystals as a strong alkaline to allow the woad pigment to dissolve in the water. We dissolved 25gms of soda crystals in half a litre of hot water from the kettle and added 10gms of woad pigment, mixing well.
soda crystals were used to help dissolve the pigment.
Woad pigment getting measured out
The pigment mix going into hot water.
We added the dye mix to a pot of hot water and mixed in well. We then added Hydrosulfite, to help stop the colours run, to the dye bath mixing in slowly to avoid getting too much air into the bath.
After 45 minutes we slowly placed the fabric and yarns into the dye bath, carefully to avoid getting too much air in the mix.
We left them in the dye bath for about 10 minuets. When the fabric and yarns where in the water they looked a yellowy green.
the yarn and fabric looked yellow when it was in the dye bath
When the yarns were taken out of the dye bath they were still a yellowy green colour. But when exposed to the air around it it started to change to a blue.
watch as the yarn magically changes colour
It was amazing the different amount of colours we managed to get.
Yarn that has just change colour to blue
Close up of yarn.
Two different dying techniques produced different shades of blue.
Same dye lot
When we got all the samples back, it was amazing to see the range of colours.
All the different dying techniques
All the different dying techniques
All the different dying techniques
Woad dyeing (Friday afternoon) with 1-2-3 Fructose Vat
METHOD!
Using woad powder from woad leaves to 10gms
Measuring the fructose (sugar) to 30gms
Measuring the Calcium Hydroxide to 20gms
Checking the temperature of the water (must be 50-60 degrees)
Mixing water with the woad powder to create a paste
Mixing water and powder
Putting the paste in the hot water
Making sure all the paste is in the water
Mixing the water together
Putting the calcium hydroxide in the water
Mixing the calcium hydroxide in the water
Mixing…
Putting washed yarn in
Leave for a while…
Taking the yarn out (pull along side of the vat to get rid of the water)
Wash in clean water
Wash in clean water
Different colours can be created depending on how long the yarn is in the dye for
A dark blue
Mixture of colours
Natural dye compared to synthetic dye
Not a good vat- it has blue bubbles in it!
The collection of blues created
Woad Dyeing (Friday afternoon) with woad leaves and vinegar
METHOD!
Cutting woad leaves
Adding vinegar to the woad leaves
Mixing the leaves together
Straining the woad leaves
Straining the woad leaves
Strained mixture
Washed yarn
Silk- washed yarn
Identification of the yarn
Washed yarn- ready to put in the dye
Putting the yarns in
Yarns in the dye
WAIT ONE HOUR.
Taking the yarn out of the dye
Taking yarn out of the dye
Taking yarn out of the dye
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