Fabric Manipulation and drawing techniques...

In addition to the use of sewn lines created through the use of hand sewing and machine sewing, drawing media can be used to emphasise the use of fabric manipulation techniques.

Fabric Manipulation...

Visual inspiration for fabric manipulation can be found in a number of natural forms. Linear elements and shapes in smooth natural stones, or weathered and cut stones, tree bark or branches, wood grains, water falls or waves or ripples, as well as natural foliage can all provide ideas for twisting, folding and pleating a variety of smooth or textured fabrics.

Fabric Manipulation...

Part of the attraction of developing fibre art works based on fabric manipulation techniques is based on the unpredictable and very dramatic results that can be achieved simply by twisting and folding fabrics in ways that are either sympathetic to or ‘work against’ the existing warp and weft of a woven fabric, a length of woven fabric ‘cut on the bias’, or a length of knitted or crocheted fabric that that can stretched in a range of different ways.

Fibre manipulations and fibre supports...

Fibre supports such as shaped cards or interfacing can help to support sections of fibre fold and pleats. Some folds and pleats can be stretched and expanded in unexpected ways and then mounted fabric manipulations can be joined together and overlapped in order to create new shadows.

Fibre manipulation, folds and pleating...

I often look to traditional smocking and pleating techniques as initial guides for my own fabric manipulations with calico and cotton fabrics. An examination of regular folds and pleats can then be varied and twisted into new and unexpected combinations.

Fabric Manipulation...Stitches

Fabric manipulation can be achieved by the use of stitching techniques that are discrete or hidden from view. A stitching technique can also become a prominent feature on a textile artwork that depends on fabric manipulation methods. When I began to use fabric manipulation methods, I used natural coloured threads that matched the neutral tones of my calico fabrics.

Fabric Manipulation...Starting with shapes and shadows

The use of a single neutral coloured cloth can help to build fabric manipulation skills. Shapes and shadows are emphasised, and forms can be easily evaluated. My own early experiments with fabric manipulation techniques used natural calico fabrics, and I used a combination of hand stitches and machine stitches.