Textiles

Textiles are all around us. We wear textiles, we sleep is textiles.
We need them to keep us warm and safe. They keep us in fashion and, most importantly, they help make our lives comfortable.

Textiles have been used by people all over the world for thousands of years.
Cave dwellers and indigenous peoples wore dried animal skins as protection from wind, rain and the sun. Egyptians made clothes, cloths and drapes from flax.

The link below will show how indigenous Australian's used fibre in their everday lives. 

Aboriginal Women's Basketry

The term textiles comes from the Latin word textere, meaning to weave. Originally, the term only applied to woven fabrics and things made from woven fabrics. Today, the definition is broader. Textiles are made from many different types of fibres, yarns and fabrics.

Fabrics can be woven, knitted of non-woven, although some fabrics do not fit into any of these categories and may , for example, be braided, tufted or laced.

Textiles uses:
Over the years textiles have served many purposes, including:

• clothing for people 
• curtains for stage, show saddles, rugs for horses 
• seat covers for cars 
• carpets for floors 
• tents for camping 
• bandages for wounds 
• padding for seats 
• blankets for warmth 
• cloths for cleaning 
• lining for car tyres 
• stuffing for basketballs

The slideshow in the following post will highlight just how textiles have evolved through the ages.

 

Fashion Designers

Information on individual designers, Australian and international.

Australian Akira Isogowa Alex Perry Bettina Liano Carla Zampatti Christopher Essex Collette Dinnigan Country Road Jenny Kee Kirrily Johnston Leona Edmiston Lisa Ho Mambo Marnie Skillings Sass & Bide Tigerlily Tina Kalivas Whitehouse

International A-Style World Balenciaga Calvin Klein Diesel Dolce & Gabbana Donna Karan [DKNY] Ermenegildo Zegna Giorgio Armani Issey Myake Jean Paul Gaultier Karl Lagerfeld Mary Quant Oscar de La Renta Paco Rabanne Pierre Cardin Prada Salvatore Ferragamo Versace Yves Saint-Laurent

Fashion News Cosmopolitan Elle Magazine Fashion Source Ragtrader Textile Source FashionTV Glamour [UK] Grazia Lucire Marie Claire Mode Fashion Style The Thread Studio Vogue [Australia]

What are textiles?

The slide show below will give you an idea of where fibres come from, and how they have changed over the years. Slide seven (7) has some direct links for you to explore further.

What are textiles?

View more presentations from LorettaKreis.

Wet spinning

Stages in dry spinning.

Loom weaving.  Cardboard Loom

Reference
taylli | July 18, 2008

Elements and Principles of Design

The design formula

 A harmonious design may be achieved when the elements and principles of design work together. When they don't work together, a design can appear peculiar or difficult. The following design formula shows us how a harmonious design can be achieved.
Elements + Principles = Harmonious design.
The elements of design.


The elements of design are:

• line 
• direction
• shape
• size
• colour
• value
• texture

Line & Direction: A line is a series of points joined together. When we draw a line, we start at one point and finish at another. Lines may be long or short, straight or curved. They may be thick or thin and they may run in different directions. Lines can c reate illusions and symbolise meanings. Direction of these lines is also a very important element of design because it can also create an illusion. There are three main line directions- horizontal, vertical and diagonal. Wavy lines symbolise softness Thin lines seem delicate Thick lines appear bold A down turned line looks sad An upturned line has the appearance of happiness Horizontal lines generally increase width Diagonal lines from the shoulder to waist cut height Vertical lines increase height, giving the appearance of thinness

Shape A shape is formed when a line begins and ends at the same point. Shapes are unlimited and can be created in numerous forms. Shapes can also symbolise different meanings. For example: ·         Flared, full hemlines cut height and can camouflage a large bust or wide shoulders. ·         Straight skirts give an illusion of height and therefore taller proportion. ·         A narrow, rectangular silhouette is slimming.

Pantone  Portions reproduced from "COLORS FOR YOUR EVERY MOOD" with the permission of Leatrice Eiseman. Colour Colour is a wonderful element of design. In many cases, colour is the first thing people notice when looking at a design. Colours can be used to symbolise different meaning and are classified into three groups. Primary Red, Yellow and Blue are the primary colors. These are the three basic colors that are used to mix all hues. SECONDARY COLORS Orange , Green and Purple are the secondary colors.  They are achieved by mixing two primary colors together. TERTIARY COLORS Tertiary colors are more subtle colors that are achieved by mixing a primary and a secondary color.  OPPOSITE and COMPLEMENTARY COLORS Opposite colors are diagonally opposite one another on the color wheel. You can work out the opposite color to any primary color by taking the other two primaries and mixing them together. The result will be its opposite or ‘complementary’ color.  ANALOGOUS COLORS Analogous colors sit next to one another on the color wheel. These colors are in harmony with one another. ·         White and lighter tints of colour make small shapes look larger. ·         Warm colours (red, oranges, and yellows) make a shape appear larger. ·         Black and darker shades of colours make shapes look smaller. ·         Cool colours (blue, greens, violets) have a slimming effect. Student exercise in blending and matching colours.   Pantone colour predictions 2009 Print pages off in black and white  Students  will be asked to use the colour information above to mix and blend colours. Give students a print off of one of the designers, ask them to read the description of colours outlined by the designer. Follow through and create the colours of the outfit. After they have completed this activity show students what the colours should look like. How close were they to the designer?

Texture Texture describes the way something feels, such as soft, hard, smooth or rough. It can also describe the way something looks, such as shiny, crumpled, bubbly or dull. Texture adds a three dimensional effect to designs. Texture can also create illusions. For example, smooth, shiny textures can appear bigger, newer and more expensive than rough, dull textures. Texture can also be used to change a person’s appearance. ·         Clinging fabrics emphasise rounded curves and bumps. ·         Shiny fabrics reflect more light, so shapes look larger. ·         Heavy textures add bulk, and increase apparent size. So do stiff, furry, shaggy fabrics. ·         Dull matt fabrics slenderise, as they do not absorb light. ·         Lightweight, fine fabrics do not increase size as much as those with a lot of bulk.   Balance If a design is balanced, it is said to be in a state of equilibrium. Overall, it has a harmonious effect. Designs can be balanced symmetrically or asymmetrically. Symmetrical balance occurs if one side of a design looks exactly like the other side. This creates a formal effect. Asymmetrical balance occurs when one side of the design looks different from the other side. This creates an informal effect. Symmetrical  This shirt is the same on both sides.  Asymmetrical  Notice this design is slightly different from one side to the other. Rhythm Rhythm is a continuous flowing movement. In design, rhythm moves the eye from one point to the next. Rhythm deals greatly with the elements of line and direction. Proportion Proportion involves dividing a design into parts and deciding whether a harmonious effect is created or not.  Proportion in clothing design is to create different illusions on different body types. Emphasis Emphasis uses the elements of design to draw attention to a certain area. Emphasis means ‘focal point’ or to draw attention to an area or away from an area. Shapes and colours are often used to emphasise parts of a design. Repetition Repetition means over and over again. One or more elements can be used in the same design. This can create a uniform look or a busy look, depending on the designer’s intentions. Japanese Fashion goes beyond the norm when it comes to combining their colours. Have a look at the video and slide show below. Harajuku fashion View more presentations from LorettaKreis. Basic Handstitching E:\basic hand stitches View more presentations from Loretta Kreis.

Parts of a sewing machine

Familiarise yourself with these parts of the sewing machine, it is very important that you are able to recognise all of these parts.

Below is a description of what these parts do.

The Parts of a Sewing Machine Defined                                                                                                                                     

Bobbin Case

The part of the machine that houses the bobbin.

Feed/Feed Dogs

The metal teeth that stick up above the needle plate. They move the fabric forward as it’s being stitched.

Hand Wheel

The wheel on the side of the machine that can be turned manually to adjust the height of the needle.

Needle Bar/Needle Clamp

The part that holds the needle.

Needle Plate

The flat surface below the needle that the needle goes down through when making a stitch. It can be changed for different stitching jobs. Also called a throat plate.

Presser Foot

The piece that sits below the needle and holds the fabric down as it’s being stitched. It can be changed for different stitching jobs.

Slide Plate

The cover that opens to allow access to the bobbin.

Spool Holder

The spindle that holds the top spool of thread.

Stitch Length Regulator/Selector

The mechanism that allows you to adjust the length of your stitches.

Stitch Width Regulator/Selector

The mechanism that allows you to adjust the width of a wide stitch, such as a zigzag stitch.

Take-up Lever

Part of the upper threading sequence, it helps control the flow of thread. It’s the part that goes “up and down” as you sew.

Tension Disks

Disks that the upper thread is placed between that regulate thread tension.

Tension Regulator/Adjuster/Dial

The mechanism that allows you to adjust the tension of your upper, and sometimes bobbin, thread.

Thread Guides

Part of the upper threading sequence, they direct the flow of thread.

Throat Plate

See Needle Plate.

Fun Projects

Here are some really great projects that you can do at home. You don't even need a sewing machine with some of them.

Zippered Pouch

http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/zippered-pouch


See Zippered Pouch and 1000's of others - or share your own on Cut Out + Keep

Felt making (beret)