Taking the time to do something properly

I have decided that I have to take the time to try to be a bit more scientific in my approach to printing out my digital images.  I have been trying to get images for deadlines, rather than taking the time to really experiment.

I have another image that I printed out using the TAP paper.  I did it for our ATASDA group.  We were meeting just before the Moomba Festival and the challenge was to produce something for that theme.  As usual, I was wanting an image straight away, I hadn't given myself time to really work on a design.  And I was in the midst of trying to work out the best way to print out some fabric using the home printer.

photo

The design used a photo I took a couple of years ago, some words, some pattern put into one of the words and a little bit of distortion of the reflected word. I enhanced the hue and saturation a bit also.

digital image

The colours have come up much brighter than my swan images, both the TAP one and the treated cotton one. It is actually quite good colour, much more intense than the ones I had produced using the swan images. As I had used a different image, it didn't really tell me how the different image transfer techniques compared.

That's the trouble with trying to compare products, you should only change one thing at a time but I am too impatient and want to use the fabric in a particular way - NOW.

Perhaps I will take the time to do some proper experiments, making sure I use the same base fabric, the same computer settings, the same image, the same hue and saturation settings, etc.  I will have to stop being frugal and say that I am experimenting, not trying to produce fabric for use in a specific quilt or artwork.

And I'll have to make sure I use the proper iron settings - here is an example of what happens when you forget to turn off the steam when using the TAP. 

And here is what happens when you forget that you are using a transfer technique and you should have reversed your text (and the whole image, really).

  Fortunately I had done the above two images rather small so I didn't waste a lot of TAP and fabric.  

March ATASDA meeting

Our meeting was amazing today.  Members of the national committee were down for a working weekend and attended our monthly meeting.  They all had samples of their work to show and tell.  What was especially interesting was the variation in techniques and outcomes.

Each presenter had wonderful work to show us.
We were also encouraged to keep meeting, running workshops, etc.  It took other branches time to get going and we need to be patient, as well as to keep working at it. We also heard about the different challenges each state faces due to various geographic issues.

It was encouraging to see so many local members there today. The next meeting will have a beading workshop as well as the meeting.  It will be on the second Saturday of the month as the first will be Easter.

Mariejka gave a talk about her resin work. She didn't demonstrate as the resin takes so long to set and it is not particularly easy to transport unset.  She was very informative and had some lovely samples to show us. I was too busy taking notes to take any photos.

Some of our local members also had show and tell.  The day was full from go to whoa.  I was getting a bit overwhelmed by the end, with all the wonderful ideas and examples.

Hot Stuff workshop with Neroli Henderson

ATASDA, the Victorian group, had it's first workshop this month.  Neroli Henderson was introducing us to using synthetic fabrics and using heat to distort them
We started of with Tyvek, painting it and then sewing, if we felt like it.  Then we ironed it and it distorted.  As this is a totally new technique for me, I was not sure what would happen and was not able to predict and try to control it.  Neroli told us that it is unpredictable even when you have some experience, so I will have to experiment a bit more to get some idea of what to expect even if I can't absolutely control it.

This is my sample.  As you can see, I did some sewing at one end but I am not sure if there is a difference because of that or not.  I used an iron that had been set quite high and the bottom edge of the image was the first bit.  It distorted quickly.  I then lowered the setting and don't know if that caused the difference or if the sewing did.  I used Lumiere fabric paints which have mica in them, causing some of the darker areas.

We then played with various layers of synthetic fabrics, free motion sewing and a heat gun.  Some ladies tried very intricate images, I just mucked around.
Here are some images of before and after the heat gun.

              

Here's mine.  The shiny bits are Textiva.  

We had a few very strict safety rules: to NEVER point the heat gun at a person; to wear a gas mask (even though we worked outdoors); to use the wooden tool to keep our fingers away from the heat.

I like some of the effects and the unpredictability of the process.  I am currently very interested in layering my work, so it suits that.  But I don't really like the actual feel of the fabric after is has been heat treated, it is usually very hard.  I'll have to think about where I might use it and how much handling it would get.

June meeting for ATASDA

The meeting was held on Saturday and we got to see the travelling suitcase show of The Maharaja's Garden.  It was great to see the items in person, so to speak.  We had the chance to look closely and to handle a few of them, when wearing gloves.  The exhibition is divided into two parts and we got to see the Saffron suitcase.
There was a great variety of techniques on show and many different interpretations of the theme. Congratulations to all the people who contributed and thanks for the opportunity to see it.

We were allowed to take photos, so here are a few shots.  For more, and better, pictures, go to the link above.

Free motion embroidery made up a beautiful background.

Woven piece with varying warps and wefts.