10. Textile Scaffold

Intro⭑.ᐟ

In my recent work, I have explored how textiles can be transformed through material experimentation. This exploration includes crystallization using borax and aluminum sulfate solutions, leather molding through controlled heat and moisture, and the development of biocomposites that merge fabrics with bioplastics. By studying how materials react, strengthen, or change structure under these conditions, I aim to understand new possibilities for design applications. For example, growing crystal formations on textiles reveals how surface qualities can shift from soft and flexible to rigid and sculptural, while molding leather demonstrates the potential of natural fibers to adopt permanent three dimensional forms.

⋆˙⟡ References & Inspiration ⋆˙⟡

Kalina brand

Kalina Brand work blends sculptural leathercraft with bold forms, creating accessories that feel both symbolic and wearable. Her pieces turn leather into expressive shapes, often provocative treating each bag as a small artwork that carries narrative and attitude.

Otomí embroidery

Otomí embroidery, also known as Tenango embroidery, is a vibrant textile tradition created by Otomí (Hñähñu) Indigenous communities, especially in Tenango de Doria, Hidalgo. It is characterized by brightly colored, hand-stitched motifs of animals, plants, and fantastical creatures arranged in rhythmic, symmetrical compositions. Each figure reflects elements of Otomí cosmology, storytelling, and the natural environment, making the embroidery both decorative and symbolic.

Tate Boswarva

@tateboswarva wet wet wet but dry #bioplastics #wetlook #fabricmanipulation #fabric #denim #linen #textiles ♬ Crushcrushcrush - Coco & Clair Clair

Cristalization ☆☆☆

Ingredients & recipie

ingredients and tools

• 65 g of aluminum sulfate
• 35 g of borax
• 200 ml of distilled water
• Scale
• Spatula
• Containers
• Glass beaker
• Stirrer
• Fabrics or surfaces for experimentation

For the aluminum sulfate recipe:

1. First, weigh 65 grams of the substance.
2. Dissolve it in 100 ml of distilled water.
3. Stir the mixture until the solution becomes clear.
4. If the solution does not become clear by hand stirring, transfer it to a glass beaker.
5. Place the beaker on a magnetic stirrer and mix until the desired clarity is achieved.
6. Pour the mixture into a container and, above it, suspend your material to be crystallized from the corners. It is important that the piece does not touch the bottom, as this may prevent proper crystallization. Something like this:

Materials submerged in aluminum sulfate

For the borax recipe:

You want to repeat the same process as the aluminum sulfate one, just changing the amount and substance.

1. First, weigh 35 grams of borax.
2. Quickly dissolve it in 100 ml of distilled water, stirring continuously, as borax hardens very fast once mixed with water.
3. Stir until the borax is fully dissolved and the solution becomes clear.
4. If the solution does not become clear by hand stirring, transfer it to a glass beaker.
5. Place the beaker on a magnetic stirrer and mix until the desired clarity is achieved.
6. Pour the mixture into a container and suspend your material to be crystallized from the corners above the solution. It is important that the piece does not touch the bottom, as this may prevent proper crystallization.

Materials submerged in borax

Maybe it was because of the temperature or because I didn’t hang my material properly, but the crystals didn’t really form. I’ll have to keep experimenting.

𓂃Leather molding𓂃

I began with the ideation phase of my project. I was drawn to the idea of creating a bag from another bag, allowing both silhouettes to contrast with each other. This was my first concept.

By Samantha Sánchez, 2025

After scrolling through Pinterest, I found images from a YouTube tutorial to DIY crochet bags, and the silhouette seemed interesting to use, so i took that as an inspiration.

By Samantha Sánchez, 2025

After that, I modeled my mold in Rhino to prepare it for fabrication.

Crochetbagg by samanthaassm on Sketchfab

CNC milling

To set up my file i needed to export my mold on STL format, so i did that and imported my model to Vcarve Pro, adjusted the measurements of my material and arranged it within the frame that the program generates to lay out your design.

I opened the toolpath menu and configured the roughing operation first. In the photo on the right, you can see the drill bit that was used, as well as the cutting parameters.

For the finishing operation, I used a round-nose bit, and these were the settings.

1. In the clock icon, you can calculate the estimated cutting time.
2. Here you can simulate the cut and see how the final result will look.
3. In the memory icon, you can save your G-code. If you used two different bits for roughing and finishing, make sure to save two separate files, and also save the program’s master file. Don’t forget to select the machine you’ll be using.

 The workshop safety measures are:
 1. Wear full protective gear (safety goggles, lab coat or overalls, boots, and noise-canceling earmuffs).
 2. Make sure the bits are properly tightened and secured.
 3. If any anomaly occurs, pause the cut; if it doesn’t respond, use the program’s emergency stop, and as a last resort, if none of these work, turn off the machine manually.

To start your cut, you need a piece of material that matches the exact dimensions you configured in the software (width, length, and thickness), and you must square it on the CNC bed. I used pieces of wood to frame my material and nailed them to the bed to keep it in place.

To set up the machine, you first need to import your file as a ‘G-code’ and calibrate the X, Y, and Z axes according to the size of your material. Then, save the parameters in their corresponding coordinate icons, and you’re ready to go!

You can move the machine’s pointer using the keyboard with the arrow keys. To raise the pointer, use the ‘Page Up’ key, and to lower it, use the ‘Page Down’ key.

Afterwards, I sanded the mold and sealed it using a mixture of water and white PVA glue.

Back to leather

I soaked my piece of leather for 30 minutes in a mixture of water and white glue with a 30% glue ratio. Then I placed nails around the contour of the shape to preserve it properly, and I tried to massage the leather as much as possible so the details would be imprinted.

By Samantha Sánchez, 2025

Unfortunately, the leather was damaged by the nails. I’m currently researching ways to repair it, and in the meantime, the bag project is on hold.

Biocomposite ꒰ ꒱

The inspiration for this design came from a traditional embroidery from the state of Hidalgo, Mexico. I uploaded an image to Hyper3D and it gave me a really good result. After that, I edited the mesh and created the mold in Rhino.

I printed my mold using a Prusa XL and used its corresponding software to parametize it.

I opened the file:

Went Print Settings > Multiple Extruders > Wipe Tower > Disable

Then Print settings > Infill > Infill Density > 5%

Finally platfform > slice > export code G

Bordado by samanthaassm on Sketchfab

As I mentioned, the purpose of this experiment was to combine denim with bioplastic to transform both materials. The bioplastic recipe I used was the following:

 7 Tbsp water
 1 Tbsp corn starch
 2 Tsp vinegar
 2 Tsp glycerin 

1. I added the tablespoons of water, cornstarch, vinegar, and glycerin into a bowl.
2. I heated water in a pot over low heat.
3. I mixed the ingredients together.
4. I heated the mixture using a double boiler, stirring until the sample thickened (this takes between 6–20 minutes).
5. I submerged the piece of denim in the mixture and placed it onto the mold.
6. I let it cool; the final drying process took two days.

Go to this youtube tutorial for the indepth process. I added one more tbsp of starch beacause i was having a hard time to get the desired consistency... don´t do this, just have patience.

By Samantha Sánchez, 2025

Conclusion

During this week, I focused on material experimentation and learned how different processes can transform textiles both visually and structurally. Through crystallization experiments, leather molding, and the combination of textiles with bioplastics, I gained a better understanding of how materials react to heat, moisture, chemical solutions, and digital fabrication techniques. This week helped me expand my perspective on textiles, moving beyond their traditional softness and flexibility.

Files

Bag Stl: Embroidery mold