Craft to Career: Designing with Textiles: DIY Fabric & Fiber Projects
In Scotland different clans are represented by plaid textile designs called tartans Colorful Kente cloth is a traditional fabric made by the Ashanti people of Ghana Each block pattern and color has a specific name and meaning 10
FIBER ARTS & CULTURE The creation of fiber and textiles was not just for practical purposes It became an art form that people around the world used to express what was important to them Their creations reflected the natural fibers and dyes common to their regions When the COVID 19 pandemic struck in 2020 people around the world stayed at home to contain the disease's spread Many filled their newfound free time with hobbies including embroidery weaving and other fiber arts Sewing became especially popular as people rushed to make homemade masks Sewing machine manufacturers reported struggling to keep up with the sudden demand for their product As the pandemic declined many people continued creating fiber arts Even with the rise of industrialization it seemed that one of the world's oldest art forms wasn't going anywhere The desire to use fibers and textiles in fine art has been gaining popularity in recent years Websites such as Etsy and social media sites such as Pinterest allow people to get inspired showcase their creations and sell their fiber crafts more easily than ever before In an era where most products are mass produced many fiber artists take pride in their unique creations Sashiko is an embroidery technique developed in Japan in the 1600s to mend worn clothing Fiber artists soon began using the method to create complex and beautiful patterns 11
TOOLS OF THE TRADE Here are some of the tools you will need as you dive into the world of fiber arts BASIC ITEMS SEWING SCISSORS Fabric shears are scissors designed for use in sewing They are often a bit longer and heavier than standard scissors There are also small detail scissors They are perfect for trimming loose threads NEEDLE & THREAD Natural and synthetic threads come in almost any color you can imagine Thread has different weights You can learn more about choosing the right thread on pages 16-17 Needles also come in different shapes and sizes Choose a needle with an eye large enough for your thread Needles also have 12 different lengths and thicknesses A thinner shorter needle is better for lightweight fabric such as cotton A longer thicker needle is needed for thick fabric such as denim FABRIC Fabric comes in countless styles colors and patterns You can purchase new fabric or upcycle used fabric from clothing bedsheets or curtains Consider whether the fabric is right for what you want to make A fabric that can't be machine washed such as silk might not be a good choice for a product that you will use often such as a tote bag Some fabrics are easier to work with than others Slippery fabrics such as satin can be much more difficult to sew than a fabric like cotton
55 54 53 52 51 34 5 4 10 8 7 4 6 2 38 37 36 35 6 10 47 46 45 44 43 1 0 1 IRON & IRONING BOARD You'll want to press or iron any fabric before you measure and cut it You'll want to iron the finished project too If you don't have an ironing board iron it on top of a clean towel laid on a sturdy table or counter 2 MEASURING TAPE & RULER A measuring tape is a handy tool for measuring lengths that aren't straight lines such as the circumference of your head A ruler serves as both a measuring tool and a straight edge 3 65 66 3 67 68 69 51 13 L 9 8 9 10 11 12 14 13 STRAIGHT PINS Use straight pins to hold two or more pieces of fabric together while sewing You can also use these pins to attach patterns to fabric TABLET OR SKETCH PAD Planning is an important part of any project Take the time to draw your ideas on a tablet or sketch pad first
