3. Circular fashion¶
Hello! This week was a bit less intense, maybe because Im getting used to the rhythm of Fabricademy. Also as it was more related to textile it made me feel more comfortable.
So lets see what I worked on.
Research¶
First of all as it was recommended I went to look for a fabric in a near by shop. Initially I went to look for Scuba-knit (Neoprene in French), but I didnt lke the type they had, it had a white spongy foam inside that you would see from the side and it would definitly not be nice esthetically. So I got white Felt from Polyesther, I would like real felt from wool, but it was not recommended to use natural fabrics as it burns and makes frays.
The Felt material has a special meaning for me as my great-grandparents used to live in Yurta in the steppes where I came from and the main material from which these nomadic houses are made from is handmade Felt from sheep wool. So even though its Polyesther Felt its still reminds me of our Yurtas in past Buryatia.
Inspirations and thoughts¶
Kusudama
From the first sight the modular system made me think of Kusudama - japanese modular consturcted spheres. I have constructed few in the past and found them beautiful. Traditionally they would be made to cure sickness- the balls would be filled with medical plants inside and be hanged above the bed of a sick person and meant to cure him/her and when the person would be cured the ball would be burned.
Buryat Buddhist temples
In Buryat Buddhist exterior and interior there are many repetitive elements that reminded the modules as well. Im going just to attach few photos here.
 |
 |
Plastic lock strips
The closing locking system of the modules reminded me the plastic lock strips that we are all familiar with, but the difference is that the models we make can unlock.
Hands-on process¶
The time to create actual models has come and to say the truth I struggled a bit cutting, searching, drawing various ideas, nothing was working. I wanted to make a sphere module, but that would mean - a lot of waste, so I came to the idea that I has to start thinking of a square first and manipulate it. And here how I came to my idea of a cirle (which I wanted to have in my modular anyway) inside a square.
Mandala
After I made the final module I saw that actually I made a small Mandala. Mandala - is a geometrical sacred buddhist structure that monks build from sand during a week or more.
Illustrator¶
So now the digital part is starting to be able to laser cut. I still dont feel at ease with Rhino, so I made my modular plan in Illustrator.
First test on a laser machine¶
Before attacking the big machine, made a test on a small 20x20cm laser machine.
My chosen felt fabric was too thick and the laser machine didnt cut it from 1 session, so I had to cut it by hand.
Laser cutting on Trotec¶
The big laser machine didnt arrive yet to our FabLab of Textile Lab, so we went to representative of Trotec in Lyon.
Assembling the modules¶
Here the fun part has started, the process of assembling was very meditative and almost like knitting. And as I had 216 pieces - I had to ask for help my husband, so we seat togheter and started "knitting".
Final result¶
I have been thinking to make an accessorie like a scarf or hood, but after accomplishing the connections of modules I finf it beautiful as it is and hang it on a bamboo stick.
