Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Various Techniques In Fiber Art

By Esther Salazar


Fiber art is one type of craft which uses different textiles in making artistic pieces. Textiles that are often used in this craft may include fabric, silk, wool, cotton, yarn, and some synthetic fibers. The primary focus of this craft is the manual labor involved and the materials used in creating a piece. These works can be found in many places nowadays.

There are different sources of fiber which include plants and animals. Silk for example is taken from silkworm cocoons. Cotton can also be found in cotton seed pods. Sheep hair is used to produce wool. With technological advances today, synthetic materials can be produced such as plastic acrylic. These are used for various applications.

These materials undergo certain processes to be made into cloth or clothing. Apart from clothing, these are also used for a variety of crafting project. These can be used to produce creative pieces that have certain uses. Most of them are used for decorative purposes in homes and even displayed for art shows. Different techniques can be used to make such items.

Quilting is a popular technique often used in this craft. This process is done to make quilt which involves several layers of fabric or any material sewn together to create a thicker or padded material. This technique may be done using a sewing machine or by hand. Designing is also involved in this process to make patterns and make the material decorative.

Another popular technique is knitting which uses thread or yarn to make cloth. There are many different styles for this technique to produce certain patterns and textures. Like quilting, this can be done both by hand and machine. This method can make clothing using various needles and yarns. Final pieces can come in different colors.

Rug hooking is also a known technique that involves loops of yarn pulled to make rugs. This technique often uses wool strips to produce rugs and even wall hangings. Various designs can be made ranging from flowers to animals and simple geometric patterns. Designs are produced commercially these days to be used as decors in homes.

Braiding is another technique which is done by intertwining three strands of material together. As a result, the braided material looks long and narrow. Most often, a braid would look flat but more complex types made with more than three strands would look different in terms of pattern and structure. Braids are used for hairstyling, rope making, and other kinds of artwork.

Felting, on the other hand, is done by condensing, matting, and pressing woolen materials to make felt. This is a kind of cloth that is non woven and comes in various types. There are soft felts and tougher types that can pass for construction materials. These are available in various colors and sizes. These can also be formed into different shapes.

Many artists around the world today are known for their masterpieces in fiber art. Some of them excel in using certain materials and specific techniques. There are also some individuals who appreciate this kind of craft that they collect various pieces. Collectors may use these items at home or simply put them on display.




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