Dawn's Nonwoven Assignment: Minima
Due March 17, 2010
For the assignment to make a nonwoven textile, I decided to investigate what is the minimum necessary to make an object that people consider a textile. I cut square pieces of felt about 1"x1". I made four samples, each with different spacing of the felt squares. I ironed each sample with the water-soluable interfacing to hold the spacing.
Then I used the sewing machine to sew horizontally, vertically, and diagonally through the felt squares.
I dissolved the interfacing with warm sink water. The pieces that were left varied greatly in flexibility and perceived connectivity. As soon as the spacing was on the order of the pieces or larger, the felt pieces felt disjointed, disconnected, more like individuals than a fabric. A user notices the spaces, not the felt. The thread was too small, almost too "weak-looking" to keep the cohesiveness together.
However, as a textile, these "open" samples were very interesting because they allow for large components while still giving the illusion of airiness.