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Tuesday, July 10, 2007

flour resists







Lately i have been experimenting with different flour resists, started out by using Complex Cloth's mashed potatoes resist recipe, then went on my own. i have experimented with a mixture of cornmeal and cornstarch paste and rice flour paste to get a crackle textured background. As it was experimental i kept it simple by using fabric paints instead of thickened dyes and used scrunch dyed cotton fabric dyed with procion MX.

My personal conclusions:
  • The mashed potatoes recipe gives a very flexible paste, good for stamping, not too good crackle.
  • The rice flour paste if very thin gives an interesting veiny crackle.
  • i used a rice flour layer, sponged paint on it , let it dry, re covered with more paste and re painted it with another color. This gives depth in the crackle.
  • Cornmeal and cornstarch paste gives an interesting granular crackle- my favorite.
Tips:
  • rub the paint to create splotches within the crackled surface.
  • use two different colors for more visual texture.
  • use metallic paints for extra zing.
  • work in layers- interesting results can be obtained.
  • different crackle effects can be obtained if the fabric is dried stretched or flat.
  • a bit of tugging on the bias when the fabric is dry improves the crackle. Ditto fro crumpling.
  • if you get an amazing crackle scan it and digitalize it so you can print it on fabric and use it again!
i want to get cassava flour and experiment with it. Most of the batik cloth from Africa uses it as a resist. And while on the African topic check this site out.
Let me know of your experiments.


neki desu

9 comments:

  1. These are all wonderfully done and I just love the slide show.

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  2. Anonymous7:44 PM

    this stuff is great! thanks for the inspiration. iam going to do some dyeing this weekend!

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  3. Looks really gorgeous. Just seen your blog for the first time, so I have a lot of reading to do, looks nice! I like the slide show.

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  4. Enjoyed the slideshow. Very interesting!
    Thanks for the wonderful link!

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  5. Anonymous2:40 PM

    Thank you for the inspiring visuals and your generous sharing of process. I love your blog and all the links. Thanks for being out there!

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  6. Came to your resist slide show via Complex Clothe - interesting stuff, must try it one day. I am off to look at the African site now.

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  7. Anonymous4:22 PM

    Question: Does the flour stay on the fabric or is it washed off after painting/dyeing?

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  8. Lynne,
    thanks for your kind words too bad i don't have youd address to respond,so this is public

    Ditto for Marilyn.
    The paste has to be washed off

    neki desu

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  9. I love your slide show and your interesting uses of the various starches for resists.

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interaction appreciated!

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