Chapter 8 - Pulp to Fabric

Red and blue threads were wrapped around a frame. Thick wavy lines were handstitched onto the grid. The grid was placed on top of a sheet of paper pulp. Strips of paper pulp were placed on top and the water was pressed out. A kebab stick was dipped into blue dye and pressed onto the pulp strips in several places. The dye spread into the pulp as it dried.
Squares of paper pulp were cast in a 5x3 grid. Threads were then laid across the squares and a further layer of paper pulp added. Cocktail sticks were laid across the squares to suggest letters or characters and the whole piece was pressed and left to dry.
Ideas:

• Add dye to the paper pulp
• Have different colours of pulp on each side
• Add more threads
• Change thread weight/colour
• Add a border of paper pulp to make a page

Threads were withdrawn from dyed linen scrim and the grid was machine stitched. Squares of paper pulp were placed on the grid to suggest postage stamps. Dye powder in 3 shades of blue was sprinked on the wet pulp. The piece was then pressed and left to dry.
Idea:

• Capital leters could also be formed/suggested using this method

Drawn thread embroidery based on airmail paper. Border of handmade paper added as strips of paper pulp. Dye was dripped on to the wet pulp after pressing. The embroidery before the addition of the paper pulp can be seen here.