Category: Textile & Fibers – DFD

This in-depth historical study examines the development of textiles and the events relating to their influence. Beginning with the Han Dynasty in China, moving to Byzantium, and then to the nineteenth century Industrial Revolution; this course tracks the exchange of color, motif, and fibers through trade. Also reviewed are textiles of India, the Near East, Egypt, Northern Africa, and Europe. Extensive reading and research are required. Students respond to content through detailed notebooks and studio projects.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: DFD 111

Students explore stitch by learning hand embroidery, sewing machine, and digital technologies used to construct images and pattern. While exploring traditional embellishment techniques, and unconventional materials such as water-soluble embroidery film, construction materials, found and recycled items. Participants are encouraged to develop a personal visual language through a series of class and individual projects. The course challenges students to develop concepts and ideas that expand the traditional notions of embellishment.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites:

The workshop style format of this class introduces students to a variety of printing methods using hand-cut stencils and photo emulsion. Techniques include preparing original artwork for multi-color patterned yardage, improvisational (freestyle) printing, and engineering placement prints. Textile pigments, thickened dye, and discharge pastes will be introduced. Special focus is placed on material exploration, color mixing, and registration of multiple screens.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites:

This course explores piecing, quilting, applique, embellishment, and stitched collage. Basic machine and hand sewing will be introduced to produce pliable, layered, and sculptural surfaces. Traditional and nontraditional materials combinations and fabric manipulation techniques will function as the “skin” of armature-based sculptural constructions. An overview of historical and contemporary fiber works will provide framework for students to experiment.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites:

This course focuses on the creation of custom fabrics for home decor. Students will initially work on paper to create motifs and symbols that serve to carry meaning as contemporary cultural artifacts. These concepts will be refined and appropriated to suit its intended end use. Techniques may include weaving, knitting, printing, dyeing, embellishment, felting, and/or laser cutting. Basic sewing machine skills will be introduced and students will construct utilitarian objects with their fabrics.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites:

The intensive workshop-style format of this class gives students a sampling of various resist-dyeing techniques. Shibori (Japanese bound resist), Batik (Indonesian wax resist), and starch based resist techniques will be explored. Techniques include immersion dyeing, painting with dyes, and extracting color from cloth with bleach solutions. Assignments stress creative uses of traditional resist dyeing techniques while exploring a diverse range of personal narratives. Slide lectures, field-trips, and class critiques support hands-on work.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites:

An in-depth, systematic exploration of the many facets of color as it relates to dye chemistry. Students explore metric system dyeing of animal, vegetable, and synthetic fibers utilizing natural/vegetable dyes, fiber reactive, acid and disperse dyes. A detailed and comprehensive dye sample notebook and final project with emphasis on color will be the result of this course.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites:

The ancient basketry techniques of twining and coiling have become a popular and well received contemporary mode of expression for sculptural and utilitarian forms. These two techniques will be explored through a series of exercises followed by a final project. The course will be enhanced by comprehensive powerpoint presentations and a field trip to Cranbrook Science Museum to view their historic basketry collection.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites:

The Special Project class is offered on an occasional basis, with course content specific to the area(s) being explored.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites:

In this advanced class, students will use floor and dobby looms to further explore more complex weave structures while expanding the knowledge and proficiency within the craft of woven textiles. Special focus is placed on documentation and presentation of inspiration, creative process. and finished works are complementary to the professional practice of this studio course.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: DFD 210