For 2008 Arthur will bring more project ideas using embellishing machines and inspiration for cross-curricular themes using transfer-printing techniques to explore art and literature while having fun with textiles.

Equipment needed:

Collection of yarns

Self-adhesive felt

Aquatics Bond -sticky soluble fabric

Sewing Machine- mechanical works best

Topstitch needle

Invisible thread- Madeira thread is the strongest

Pin-board or a flat surface

Method:

Pin or tape felt to a board felt side down.

Peel off the backing from the felt.

Starting 1cm in from the bottom of the sticky side of the felt place your first line of yarn.

Build your landscape up by laying further lines in varying your shape (e.g. if you want fields or hills).

Continue to lay in further rows of yarns making sure they are stuck down well.

Finish 1cm in from the top edge of the sticky felt

Peel off backing from bond and place over your landscape making sure it sticks to the 1cm edges of the sticky felt.

Set your sewing machine for straight stitch, stitch length 2.5. Use invisible thread on the top of your sewing machine and bobbinfil or invisible thread on the bottom.

Starting in the centre stitch from the top to the bottom, work your way out to one side, then return to the centre and do the same on the other side.

Place your landscape in a bowl of warm water to dissolve the Bond. Repeat until all the Bond has disappeared.

Either leave to dry or dry with a hairdryer.

Brush any loose particles away very gently with a teasel brush or a washing up scourer.

Mount work on a piece of foamboard covered with black felt.
Arthur Ridley ©2008 www.arthur-ridley.com

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Regards

Arthur

By Arthur Ridley MA

 Over the past three years I have been developing my 3D work using dissolvable fabrics.  The product I am using at the moment is Aquafilm (badgemaster) this is used extensively in industry.  In the retail trade it is known as soluble film (super weight).  I have found this excellent for all my work so far but I am continuously trying new materials.  Below are a few ways in which I use it to make 3D bowls.  When I first started to make bowls I was using containers to mould over, I found these okay but very restricting in controlling the shape.  Since then I have gone on to use polystyrene moulds which I have made for me, by using a polystyrene mould it has given me greater scope in controlling my designs.

Below are a few examples of how to use aquafilm to make 3D bowls.  In theory you are making a sandwich of threads and fabrics in various combinations