Posts tagged with "digital textile printing" | Return to the Archives Listing
Silk Polaroid Scarves by Philippe Roucou
Silk scarves by Philippe Roucou on Reborn. This is such a simple yet clever (and beautiful) use of digital printing. You could enlarge all kinds of images so that they are unrecognizable once draped or cut up, covertly adding personal meaning to your sewn objects. (via Poppytalk)
Alice Melvin: Cut Out and Sew Glove Puppets
And speaking of cool uses of digital printing, here is a super cute kit concept from Alice Melvin. This is the only textile offering amongst her Charley Harper-inspired range of designs, and unfortunately it’s sold out right now, but keep checking back for a shop update.
(via Cafe Cartolina)
New From Bonjour Mon Coussin
We covered the French pillow company Bonjour Mon Coussin many moons ago, and they’ve added tons of new designs since then. Here are some of the latest offerings — Paris maps, Coney Island photos, vintage type, and more. Hooray for digital printing! Look, they even have a color-your-own pillow.
Textile Stew: Giveaways Galore
Lots of folks, moved by the holiday spirit, are holding giveaways this week:
Heather at A La Mode Fabric is giving away some out-of-print fabrics. (Deadline tomorrow, 12/17/09)
The Fat Quarter Shop, in conjunction with Santa!, is holding a clever giveaway. (Deadline is mysterious)
Pink Chalk Kathy is giving away a copy of Kata Golda’s Hand-Stitched Felt, four fat quarter packs of Rosalie Quinlan’s Grandmother’s Flower Garden fabrics, and 12 Odyssea by MoMo charm packs. (Deadline 12/18/09). And she promises another exciting giveaway on Monday!
and some assorted links for you …
Printsource on the African Prints trend
Project Runway’s season 7 designers announced … is anyone else waiting for one of our sewing blog heroes to get on the show?
Weeks says Keep an Eye on the Dye! or: why you should always, always pre-wash your cotton fabrics.
Thanks to Amy for pointing me to The Selfish Seamstress. I really like her post titled Dump the Frump: Amateur Mistakes to Avoid in sewing. #1: Do not sew clothes with quilting cotton!
How to re-cover an umbrella, on Threads Magazine.
Melissa Averinos’ book sneak peak and project!
Melanie Bowles on the student digital textile printing show Neighbourhood Colour
Book Month: More Surface Design Books
During book month, we’ll be following our longer reviews of recent titles with mini-reviews of similarly themed books. Mary Beth wrote about Amy Karol’s Bend the Rules With Fabric yesterday, so today, here are a handful of other surface design books, both new and old, that we think you’ll enjoy. And don’t forget, if you click on any of our Amazon links and make any purchase this month, the commission we earn will be donated to Caritas of Austin to help them serve citizens and refugees living in poverty.
The Art of Manipulating Fabric
Chilton Book Company, 1996
This is a classic book that deserves a renewed wave of love and sales amongst us modern sewist types. It has thorough tutorials on hundreds of ways to crinkle, gather, pleat, fold, smock, tuck, weave, knot, and quilt fabric to achieve all sorts of interesting textures, ranging from neat and clean to crazily complicated and artistic. Though it is over a decade old, it does not look dated — the photos and illustrations are black and white, and the techniques are presented on their own (there are no projects or patterns — you’re left to incorporate these techniques into your own designs or existing patterns). I checked this book out from the library and immediately realized that it HAS to be a part of my library. Since shirring was such a big trend this year, I’m looking forward to a wave of interest in other fabric manipulation techniques — and this is the essential book to guide your explorations.
Digital Textile Design
Lawrence King Publishing, 2009
I reviewed this book back in August, but just wanted to remind you of it as a gift idea for anyone interested in pattern design or digital textile printing.
Print Liberation: The Screen Printing Primer
North Light Books, 2008
This book came out last year, but I think it’s one of the best books for getting started in screenprinting that’s on the market right now. The “with” author Luren Jenison is an RISD graduate who specializes in textile design. Because of that I was hoping for more specific instruction about screenprinting in repeat on fabric yardage, but alas, all you get is inspirational images. That said, the inspirational images are really cool and the instructions for printing on paper, T-shirts, and more challenging surfaces — such as book covers and walls — are all illustrated with photographs, which I think for this craft in particular are more helpful than diagrams. The book has a decidedly punk attitude and aesthetic (mature punk, I’d say, but still punk), which is bad if you don’t like swear words and overt politics but very, very good if you want to learn screenprinting when funds and space are (very) limited. If anyone on your Christmas list has mentioned in passing, “oh, I’d really like to start screenprinting,” this is the book for them.
For printing books more specifically geared toward fabric, don’t forget these books reviewed previously: Printing by Hand
Textile Stew: Indie Designers Edition
Textile Stew is a compilation of True Up’s favorite Tumblr and Twitter posts.
moopy & me: We love pure colour
Jesse Breytenbach: Vintage Pattern Ladies — she’s got a few more great new designs too!
Crafting a Green World points us to Baby Bird Designs (top) and Showpony (bottom)
New Flock Collection by Aunt June
Check out the new Spoonflower-printed Flock series from My Aunt June! I love that crazy little bird. Medallions, too — I’ve been working on this post for twenty minutes and I just realized there are feathers in those medallions. It’s like seeing the secret picture in those, um, secret picture things. Moving on.
Flock is printed on 100% Kona cotton and available in the Aunt June Etsy shop. But wait, there’s more: She’s also having a super awesome giveaway: a charm pack of Flock, 36 5″ squares in 12 colors. Comment on her blog post to enter and follow her on Twitter for a second chance.
Nice work, Lauren!
Meet the Sponsors: Blugirlart
Shadow Blossom Fabric by Suzanne Meyer Pistorius for Blugirlart
On True Up we write mostly about quilting weight cotton prints, and that’s what a majority of our sponsors sell or make. It’s a given that we love it! But one of my primary goals is to branch out and explore other types of fabric, and encourage/embolden readers to do the same. We’re also big into DIY fabric design, and want to be THE source for information on independent fabric designers. So when Suzanne Meyer Pistorius of Blugirlart wrote to me inquiring about advertising, I was especially honored — it meant to me that I’m starting to meet both these goals.
So, I’m very excited to introduce you to Ms. Meyer Pistorius. She employs the age-old technique of handpainting onto fabric — mostly silk, though she does work with some heavyweight upholstery cottons too. She offers one-of-a-kind yardage, scarves, and pareos (or body cloths; the term AFAIK is interchangeable with “sarong”) painted with her bold, modern, edgy designs, through her website. When I think of DIY fabric the first methods that come to mind are screenprinting, block printing, and digital textile printing — I don’t know why I so rarely consider handpainting, but Meyer Pistorious’ work has decidedly corrected that! Of course I was excited to know everything about her background and process, and I thought you would be too. So a big welcome to Suzanne …
True Up: Please tell us about yourself, where you live, and your background as a designer and artist.
Suzanne Meyer Pistorius: I live in Springfield, MA. I moved here 11 years ago from St. Martin in the Caribbean. I studied Fashion Design and had my own clothing factory in Africa for many years. I used to make womenswear for my own outlets and also CMT (Cut, Make, and Trim) for other designers. It was during my years in the Caribbean that I seriously started fabric painting — I used to paint clothing to sell to the tourists. After one hurricane too many I made the move to the United States. For many years I worked in Technical Design in the fashion industry. My last position was at Brooks Brothers in Manhattan. This was a six hour a day commute from my home in Massachusetts — which needles to say was exhausting, but it was on these long commutes that I used to daydream about getting back to my creative roots. So last June I took the plunge, resigned and started creating all the product for my website. In November, just as the economy was crashing Blugirlart went live – talk abut crummy timing!
Bluegirlart Pareos by Suzanne Meyer Pistorius
TU: Please tell us all about BluGirlArt — What is the product range? How would you describe the overall point of view?
SMP: The products range from my “recycled” chairs, throw pillows, silk scarves, and cotton and silk pareos. I recently added a small line of necklaces, made mostly from vintage beads and wooden buckles. I have the artwork of Max Rudolf whose art is 95% recycled product. I also paint fabric by the yard which can be used for upholstery, drapes, etc. or for that fabulous one-of-a-kind “Red Carpet” gown that we all need ! I say the overall point of view is creating fabulous prints or products that are sure to be conversation starters and keeping true to my core belief of the three “R”s – reduce, reuse, recycle.
Popmeup Scarf by Suzanne Meyer Pistorius for Blugirlart
TU: How did you get into hand-painting fabrics? I’d love to hear anything you’re willing to share about the process …
SMP: I started painting fabric while in the Caribbean as a way to earn some extra cash. My first attempts were rather dismal — fabric moves and one cannot erase a mistake, so a steady hand and a clear idea of what the finished product should look like is very important. I paint freehand and with resist. I use water-based resist to draw the outline of a design, then its a bit like paint by numbers to fill in the colour. I really like painting freehand with watercolour technique, as one can get such lovely effects. I have created this new technique which is wet on wet. It works really well on silk chiffon.
Coming Up Roses fabric by Suzanne Meyer Pistorius for Blugirlart
I have two working tables – the longest is 12 feet long – so that’s the longest piece I can paint. Firstly the fabric is stretched on the table, it is raised off the table so one is painting in mid air on a surface that doesn’t move. The first step for my wet-on-wet process is water, a sponge brush, and an idea. Working very fast I create the negative outline of the print with water, then add the colour to the positive shape. Where the paint and water meet incredible effects are are formed. For some upholstery fabrics the process is much the same as painting a canvas (very large canvas).
Every fabric takes the paint differently, so each fabric has its own technique. Silk organza does not absorb the paint or bleed — it sits on top of the fabric, which allows me to paint definite shapes. This is not possible with silk charmeuse, for example. I find fabric painting to be a constant exercise of trial and error.
All the paints I use are water based, nontoxic, and colourfast.
A sampling of digital textile designs by Suzanne Meyer Pistorius
TU: As an independent textile designer, have you explored digital textile printing at all? What do you think of it?
SMP: Working with a graphic designer, I created my first collection of digital prints for Fall 2010, we showed our collection at the August PrintSource show.
Some of my prints were chosen by Mudpie, a leading UK trend forecaster, as trends to follow for 2010. Which is high acclaim for a startup business.
My very first digital print I sold to Banana Republic for Fall 2010 — so I have a long wait to see the end result. Many of the prints we created were a combination of handpainted and digital. I love the process and am working on a new collection at present. I have a small selection of my prints on my website.
Bamboo Light fabric by Suzanne Meyer Pistorius for Blugirlart
TU: I would be terrified to cut into your fabrics! Please talk me down from the ledge …
SMP: On my website I show some fabrics draped on models — as a suggestion of what one could do with the fabrics. As many of my designs are overscale, to me the finished product should be classic and simple is style — long and strapless allows the print and fabric to be shown at its best.
This also requires only cutting 3 panels and sewing 3 seams – less cutting, less anxiety, also one can leave bigger seam allowances in case of runaway scissor syndrome i.e. trembling hands!!!
TU: What are some of your favorite things that people have made from your fabrics?
SMP: I have sold some of my handpainted designs to Chico’s for clothing and accessories and Lifetime Brands for dinnerware for Fall 2010 so I have to be patient and see what the end result will be.
Shadow Bubblescarf by Suzanne Meyer Pistorius for Blugirlart
TU: Who are your favorite designers and artists, either contemporary or from the past?
SMP: Antoni Gaudi — the architect for his incredible contribution to Art Nouveau.
Alberto Vargas — his paintings of women that became cultural icons of the 1940s and 50s.
Man Ray — his experiments in photography created some of the most unusual effects and are still relevant today.
The designers Alexander McQueen, Emanual Ungaro, John Galliano, Vivienne Westwood, Miuccia Prada.
This could be an endless list!
…
Thank you so much, Suzanne! Isn’t her photo styling amazing? I think one of her scarves or pareos would make an amazing gift this year for any fashionable, textile-loving woman …
Photo credits: All images copyright Suzanne Meyer Pistorius.
Betz White: Indian Summer
Oh, I have so much catch-up to do on fabric news now! Betz White recently released a new colorway, called Indian Summer, of her organic fabric collection (the first colorway, Family Cottage, was introduced this past summer. She writes: “I’ve printed my line on a new base fabric that I know you’re going to love: 100% Organic Cotton Sateen. It’s got a smooth hand, a lovely drape and a luxurious sheen to it! It’s 4.5 oz and is ideal for apparel, home decor, craft projects and personal accessories.” All Betz’ fabrics are digitally printed on demand in the U.S., further reducing their carbon footprint. The collection is available for purchase through her Etsy shop and via Big Cartel.
A Beginner’s Guide to Digital Textile Printing
Kate McInnes (LoungeKat) emailed me to let me know about her free tutorial on vectortuts for setting up a file in Adobe Illustrator for digital textile printing. I’m extremely impressed — the tutorial itself is well designed and easy to follow, and it provides the most thorough instructions I’ve seen to date in regard to color management, which as we’ve learned is crucial to a successful print. Thank you so much, Kate!
Wonderfluff by Liz Scott
Sometimes I’m just so grateful for the invention of custom digital fabric printing, you know? Just like I’m grateful for the invention of television. It’s quite the age we live in.
Today I found Liz Scott’s wonderful Wonderfluff fabrics via Wise Craft, where Blair Peter writes: “Just when you think fabric can’t get any prettier, take a look at these.”
Right? Liz Scott’s hand-drawn fabric designs are a little bit retro and a little bit modern, with floral and graphic motifs and a really fresh palette. She prints them herself using Spoonflower and sells the cuts in her Wonderfluff Etsy shop. The Dot Dot Dot print (second from left, above) for some reason reminds me happily of my fifth grade year, and Summer Flowers (below) has a charming ’50s feel to it.
And she prints them not only on quilting weight cotton, but on organic cotton sateen and upholstery weight, too. Joy!
For more info on Liz Scott or her designs, visit her web site or her blog. All images copyright Liz Scott.
Digital Fabric on the Runway
Fashion and textile designer Josephine Kimberling shares her favorites from the Fall/Winter 09 runway on her blog. Digital textile printing was featured in many designers’ collections, including Basso & Brooke (two looks above) and Dolce and Gabbana.
Textile Stew: 9/14/09
Retro Age Vintage Fabrics: Guest: Pip from Meet Me at Mike’s on her love affair with vintage fabric. Don’t miss Retro Age’s $20 store credit giveaway either!
Awesome design printed with Spoonflower by My Paper Crane
oliver + s provides an overview of the laminated fabrics out there that would make terrific school days jackets. What?! Custom Liberty laminates?!?
Buyer beware — R. Antoshank says there is far more apparel being sold in stores claiming to be made from organic cotton than is possible from the amount of organic cotton actually being produced today.
Big Volksfaden giveaway at Bloesem Kids — enter before 9/16/09
Marimekko: From Sketch to Printed Fabric
Alpha Mills in Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania is a small textile mill mill somehow surviving the foreign competition.
Forever 21, the fashion copycat that always lands on its feet. by Lana Akopyan
Top 10 advanced machine features. You’ll not want to sew without them once you experience them, I’m telling you! (via Patty Young)
Wish You Were Here
El Caminos in the West
Wish You Were Here is a collaboration of husband-and-wife team Fiona and Ben O’Brien. On the side of their commissioned illustration and design work they sell a collection of art prints, cushions, fabric, and wallpaper (the latter produced through Studio Nommo).
Feelgood by Numbers
The fabrics are digitally printed on 140cm (55″) wide heavyweight cotton drill and retail for £75.00 ($121) per linear meter. So, yeah, it’s on the high end, but as always it’s cool to see what people are doing with digital textile printing. And I for one appreciate the Grandaddy reference!
Handle With Care
(via jessica gonacha swift)
Textile Stew: 08/13/09
Hollabee : textiles – design – craft: last week in a nutshell…
Saídos da Concha: Baixa de Lisboa :: Downtown Lisbon
orange you lucky!: my new tote for BlueQ…
Rummage: Mum’s and My Creative Space
The Softest Canvas. – Bolt Neighborhood
new from Aunty Cookie
makeitdigital on textile designer Beatrice Moys
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