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SELF-TEXTURIZING FABRIC
2020
This is an exploration of transforming a 2D medium into a 3D form using minimal human intervention. To produce textures, I glued strips of polystyrene #6 (also known as Shrink Dink) onto fabric, orthogonal to the desired fold pattern. When heated to about 100˚C, the polystyrene strips shrink to ⅓ their original length and width. I applied heat using a heat gun, and as the strips contracted, they pulled the fabric into folds.
Self-Texturizing Fabric: Text
Testing
An alternating, offset pattern of shorter perpendicular strips seemed to produce distinct folds.
Self-Texturizing Fabric: Text
Self-Texturizing Fabric: Image
To confirm the correlation between perpendicular strip patterns and folds, I arranged the strips with the intention of creating a folded diagrid.
Self-Texturizing Fabric: Text
Self-Texturizing Fabric: Image
My results confirmed that the strips produce folds in the orthogonal direction.
Self-Texturizing Fabric: Text
Self-Texturizing Fabric: Image
Final Designs
For the first final design, I drew my intended fold pattern and then used it as a guide to place my strips.
Self-Texturizing Fabric: Text
Self-Texturizing Fabric: Image
For the final second design, I attempted to replicate an origami tessellation I found during research. Throughout my design process, I determined that virtually any fold pattern could be produced by arranging short polystyrene strips orthogonal to the desired pattern.
Self-Texturizing Fabric: Text
Self-Texturizing Fabric: Pro Gallery
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