The New Complex Cloth
Instructor: Jane Dunnewold
NOTE: This list may be overwhelming when you read through it the first time, but take heart. It has been revised and approved by more than 200 previous students and believe me, there isn’t anything here you won’t use!! I have tried to name things recognizably and use proper names, but different tools are called different things in various parts of the country. Do the best you can to acquire the stuff here and don’t obsess if you don’t get everything exactly right. It won’t affect the outcome of the week for you at all! Do pay attention to the descriptions as some students have felt they were crucial!
• dust mask that fits your face
• cutting mat – small is fine
• 1 box large Ziplock bags – gallon size
• rubber bands – small to medium size At least 20.
• old pantyhose or stockings – 3 – 4 legs worth. Color does not matter
• several small containers [yogurt type or baby food jars (for paint mixing)] These will be contributed to the group effort.
• small food scraper (sometimes called a “spatula”) to scoop paint from containers
• plate or palette for small amounts of paint
• old towel for clean up. We use as few throwaways as possible, hence, no paper towels. This will be contributed to the group effort.
• 1 yard nylon net or tulle – medium weight works best
• 1 yard fusible, nonwoven interfacing. Pellon Craft Fuse is a good choice
• 1 small bucket approx 1 gallon size
• 1 yard of craft felt – any color
• old sheet to cover existing work surface – this will be torn into pieces
• 1 package or gold or silver composition metal leafing.
• 8 oz. container heavy gel medium (gloss)
• 1 bottle Elmer’s blue school glue
• craft and fabric scissors
• needles and heavy upholstery or quilting thread (any color) make sure the eye fits the thread
• straight pins
• #11 blade exacto knife (NO other) small barrel knife is easier to use than a bigger barrel.
• selection of foam & bristle brushes – 1″ – 3″, natural and synthetic ok
• gloves and apron – preferably reusable gloves NOT throwaways
• pen/notebook
• duct tape (Duck brand is really good) (sometimes 3m brand doesn’t stick) You will need a whole spool.
• small white garage sale type labels (make it easier to mark dark fabrics)
• smaller bristle brushes – capable of painting thin lines and shapes
• examples of your own work
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING ADVICE COMPLETELY.
FABRIC to bring : PFD (Prepared for dyeing) silk, rayon and cotton.
TOTAL needed: 3 yards, split among the three fiber types. DO NOT buy the cloth in a fabric store instead of from a mail-order source – sizing greatly affects the dye process and you need PFD fabrics.
• Order cloth from Dharma Trading Company, Exotic Silks or Rupert, Gibbon, and Spider. Very lightweight silk habotai (also known as china silks) DOES NOT produce much pattern in the dyebaths. If you buy silk habotai, choose a 12mm or 14mm weight.
• Avoid lighter silk and choose broadcloth, charmeuse, and noil. Rayon dyes fabulously well and the rayon (viscose) challis from Rupert, Gibbon and Spider is a really good fabric. White cotton can be ordered from TestFabrics.
Each company has a website if you prefer to order there.
• ALSO: 1 yard dark cotton or rayon. MUST be one of these types – best to order from TestFabrics. They carry a good PFD black rayon (order # 266WB)
• There is a good Kona cotton in quilt stores that discharges to a rust color. If you are buying dark cottons from a fabric store, ask for a sample first. Dip it in bleach at home to see if the color can be removed. The biggest disappointment students encounter in this class is that they bring dark cottons that don’t discharge easily.
PREWASH ALL FABRIC – EVEN IF IT IS PFD. IT DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Use a detergent without perfumes and additives, like All Free and Clear.
ALSO
Everyone needs the full amount of everything listed below. Sharing is optional but may shortchange you.
• Order these supplies from Dick Blick 1/800 447-8192 :
• Erasers . #C21519-1012 soap erasers LARGE 4.49 per box of 12. (Lots of students would recommend that you order 2 boxes)
• Silkscreen . # C43422-1004. 10″ x 14″ wooden frame silkscreen with 12xx polyester mesh. 12.99
• They are often out of this size, and ordering slightly larger or slightly smaller is acceptable.
• Order 1 or 2. (Students recommend ordering 2!)
Order from Nasco : 1/800 – 558 -9595
• # 9703039. Speedball fabric printing squeegee 9″ length. 6.20 I believe Dharma now carries this squeegee, too.
DO NOT ORDER A SQUEEGEE FROM DICK BLICK. THE STYLES THEY SELL ARE NOT APPROPRIATE FOR THE WORK WE DO.