Textile Design: Constructed Textiles
Understanding Constructed Textiles
- Constructed Textiles refer to textiles that are created by interlacing, knotting, looping, or felting individual yarns together.
- Common techniques include weaving, knitting, felting, and braiding.
- Distinct from printed or painted textiles, where patterns are applied to a pre-existing fabric.
Weaving
- Weaving is one of the oldest known constructed textile methods.
- Involves interlacing two sets of threads - the warp (vertical) and the weft (horizontal) to produce cloth.
- Different weaving patterns such as plain, twill, and satin, result in different fabric properties.
- More complex patterns like jacquard require more advanced looms.
Knitting
- In knitting, textile is created by interlocking loops of yarn.
- Two basic knitting methods - weft knitting and warp knitting.
- Weft knitting: created by running a continuous yarn back and forth. Used for most hand-knits.
- Warp knitting: involves running multiple yarns lengthwise. Can only be done by machine, leading to commercial products like tricot and lace.
Felting
- Felting is a process that agitates fibres, usually wool, until they mat together to make fabric.
- Two common types: Wet Felting and Needle Felting.
- Wet Felting involves the application of heat, water, and agitation to entangle the fibres.
- Needle Felting uses the friction of a barbed needle to entangle fibres.
Braiding
- Braiding or plaiting involves interlacing three or more strands of thread or yarn, often to create thick, decorative elements.
- Used in a multitude of crafts, from hair styling to rope making and jewellery design.
Properties of Constructed Textiles
- Properties such as drape, stretch, durability, and warmth are determined by the construction technique and the yarn used.
- Constructed textiles can incorporate different colours, textures, and patterns in the fabric itself, rather than on the surface.
- Robust and durable, they are used in various industries from clothing and home furnishing to industrial applications.
Practical Skills
- Experiment with different yarns, colours, and construction techniques to understand how they affect the final product.
- Learn to use tools such as looms for weaving, knitting needles for knitting, or barbed needles for felting.
- Investigate how various constructed textiles are used in real-world applications such as fashion, interiors or art.
- Develop a portfolio demonstrating your knowledge and skill in constructed textile techniques.
Remember, this is an area where theory and practice come together. Studying the techniques and understanding the underlying principles are crucial, as is hands-on experience in creating constructed textiles.