Day 9: Contemporary begins

After a fantastic traditional week with Ashok, I am super excited for a week of contemporary designing. Donna suggested that we may use the same designs from first week and apply different techniques to achieve a completely different aesthetic. Although I do like this idea, I would much prefer to maybe explore more abstract silhouettes. 

To begin this weeks designing, we were given the opportunity to dye some of our fabrics. Having never dyed fabric before, I was so excited. Following Maddy's notes from a textile elective last semester as a guide, I was able to do a couple different samples to be dyed. 

Using the above techniques I wanted to achieve a textile with a linear pattern. Inspired by topographic maps, I wanted to then create a multiple layered abstract pattern using thread work that would suggest landforms, as shown below. 

Shown below is a reference to what my dyed fabric will hopefully turn out like! 

Although this above sample must have been created using more conventional shibori techniques (wrapping around pole), due to a lack of resources I needed to be much more creative. So I went in search for potential materials around the house. Donna suggested bobby pins to be used as a clamp. I created 5 samples just in case they didn't turn out as accepted. Under the impression my samples would return slightly resembling the above reference, I again turned to photoshop to experiment. 

Just incase my tie dye experiments don't turn out, I purchased a beautiful silk scarf that mimics this rippled effect. Again I trialled this design on photoshop. 

When our dyed samples returned, any samples with materials except for thread were not dyed. This meant that I only had 2 samples that were dyed. Neither proved to be a success.  I think this may have been because I did not tie the samples tight enough, as well as the fabric being quite a heavy-weight. Despite the failure, Rajat suggested to still try to use and experiment with the indigo sample.