Flocking

I attended a flocking workshop at the Ottawa Art Gallery this weekend.  It was taught by artist Laura Margita.  The workshop was being held for 10-14 yr olds, but I went anyway.  It was fun to learn to flock and also fun to see the kids getting excited about something new.   Mmmm, green fuzzy truck...

Comments

[Lori]

What is flocking?

[tania]

oh wow! i have always loved flocking-i want to try it too- i love that you went anyway! why can't grown -ups have funn too?
nice truck-

[Karina]

this is what I found on flocking at:

http://textileinfo.com/en/tech/hinsitsu/page02.html

" Flocking is one method of generating fine fibers on the surface of a fabric. This process perpendicularly implants fibers cut to a certain length (the flock) onto the surface of a fabric applied with adhesive by passing them though an electrostatic field. Nylon and rayon are often used as the flock fiber, used at very short lengths of 0.2 - 1.5mm. After adhesive is applied to the surface of the fabric, the flock is attached through the use of an electrostatic field. The charged flock perpendicularly attaches only to the surface prepared with adhesive, while the rest loses its charge and falls away, being sucked off and removed. Because the fibers are attached by their tips, if they are exposed to a solvent and rubbed, they fall away easily. Flocking is mainly used in the flocking of the full surface of materials, and for applique and one-point flock prints. " Did you fall asleep already?

It is basically putting this special paint/glue onto whatever you what to flock, then put the fuzzy flocking fibers into a tube that has holes at the end and you puff them onto the piece...
Apparently Laura Margita has a truck, like a real John Deer truck, and she is going to flock the whole thing. That will be very cool...

[lori]

Thanks!

[krissy]

i've wanted to try flocking too. i love the way it feels. your fuzzy truck is awesome!