The Textile Museum - Fall Symposium

Discover Central Asian ikat, from its production to the art form's influence on today's designers, during this three-day symposium at The Textile Museum.

The Textile Museum is offering 10 scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students. Visit www.textilemuseum.org/symposium.htm for details.

Dutch Fashion Designer Iris van Herpen

I discovered van Herpen on another blog called Fashioning Technology. Her work is fascinating and bizarre, and needs to be shared. Unfortunately there is no artist statement on her website. I would be really interested in knowing what her inspiration was.

For more information please visit:

http://www.irisvanherpen.com/

http://fashioningtechnology.ning.com/profiles/blogs/iris-van-herpen-3d-printed

Philadelphia University Celebrates a Year of Achievements

Contains all the University's achievments from the 2009-2010 school year, including Textile design.


http://www.philau.edu/highlights/

‘Pine cone effect’ to be used in moisture management fabrics

31 July 2009, London – UK based start up company, MMT Textiles Ltd has invented and patented a method of constructing bio-responsive fibres and yarns so that they react to humidity levels in a micro-climate. The porosity of subsequent knitted, woven or non-woven fabrics increases with high levels of humidity or wetness in the micro-climate, facilitating the release of moisture, or decreases in low level humidity or dry conditions, improving insulation. This is referred to as ‘the pine cone effect’.

MMT’s Dr Veronika Kapsali says: “Conventional fibres swell as they absorb moisture. This causes the yarn to swell which in turn reduces the porosity of the textile structure. We have developed a textile which functions in the opposite manner; as it absorbs moisture the textile becomes more porous and in dry conditions the structure opens up like a pine cone, reducing permeability to air and increasing insulation properties.”

Originally posted at: www.innovationintextiles.com/articles/199.php

For more information please visit: www.mmttextiles.com

Custom CMYK Sewing Machine Matches Thread to Fabric

"Sew all your colors, matched! The genius, as in most my favorite things, is in the simplicity of it all. This sewing machine right here is made for everyone, but fits right in with those who wish to enter the craft of attaching clothing to itself with thread. New sewers! This is for you. But for you perfectionists, you might want your paws to seek. Electromagnetic need drive. Filigree upper arm design. Openness. The workspace is wide open. Backlit work area, with the stitch pattern projected on to the fabric it’s about to be sewn onto. PLUS!

And a BET you wonder what the ink is for.

What’s that ink for? That’s crazy bringing ink that close to a bunch of fabric! No way man, just be careful. But wait what’s it for? It’s for the thread. It’s a yarn printer. You match up the color you need at the top, and this baby prints the ink as you go. And with a pneumatic JetAir-system handling your threading, you’ll be jamming out the thread quick and nice as a whip.

This project is called “Leitfaden” and I want one."

Originally posted at: http://www.yankodesign.com/2010/04/20/sew-color-what/

http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2010/04/custom_cmyk_sewing_machine_mat.html

Submitted by Sarah Sheber

Ashley Blumenthal's internship work is now for sale

Last summer Ashley Blumenthal interned with the Martha Stewart and now the bed set that she designed is available at Macy's.
The collection is described as
"Simply sophisticated, Trousseau Leaf bedding from Martha Stewart Collection combines vintage-inspired details, fine craftsmanship and refreshing off-white palette for a new look of elegance. Contrast stitching in natural tones and intricate quilting patterns add a unique, artistic appeal to this pure cotton collection."

For more information please visit: http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=452013&CategoryID=17882#BVRRWidgetID

Bokja Volkswagen Beetle in Vintage Fabrics

bokja design (hoda baroudi and maria hibri) has created the 'bojka bug', in which they have
taken an iconic volkwagen beetle and covered it entirely in a patchwork of handmade vintage fabrics
from the middle east, tapestries and car stickers. on show at spazio rossana orlandi during
milan design week 2010, the studio re-purposed this classic and basic frame, applying its
craftsmen's skills, colors and designs from its fabric collection to create a fun, surprising object.

Originally posted at: http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/8/view/9937/volkswagen-beetle-in-vintage-fabrics.html

For more information about Bokja Design please visit: http://www.bokjadesign.com/

Submitted by Susan Smilek