Amanda Marder: Midterms Laser Cut Fabric Sheet Test

 I made a whole sheet of pattern and used the laser cutter to cut it into workable sections.  This material is by far stiffer than the other fabric I have used.  Due to the rigidity there is less play and unpredictability of how the fabric will behave once cut.

 

Final Product:

I used a type of glue that Prof. Scott would to describe as "Elmer's Glue on Steroids" that I brushed on in layers between the fabric over a balloon.  Once the product dried and hardened I popped the balloon and it pulled out clean.  So, it was nice to know the glue doesn't adhere to latex!

I intend to use this technique to create various textile vessels using layers of laser cut fabric. 

Amanda Marder: Fabric Laser Cutting Technique Finalized

Despite being sick and feeling like death at work, I felt inclined to create.  Definitely have the technique down, I have been able to laser cut various fabrics with consistent results using my process.

Amanda Marder: Laser Cutting Fabric Technique resolved

So, managed to get a hold of some spray adhesive.  HUGE difference in terms of no snagging or puckering of the fabric.  My first one I had two snags because I  missed a spot to spray.  All in all I am very content with getting the technique down.

Amanda Marder: Week 5 Laser Cut Fabric Trial 2

Too impatient to wait till tomorrow for an iron HOWEVER I am running into a snag issue.  The material of women's cotton fitted shirts stretch like crazy.  They also pucker enough after being cut due to having a piece of cardboard inside of the shirt, creates minimal but enough stretch.

I may have to consider using a type of adhesive on the under side of the material and attach it temporarily to cardboard for the cutting process.  

For this material I did take into consideration for the lack of thickness so I adjusted my settings accordingly but I possible may have made the power setting too weak which may have increased my snag issue.

Another thing I did not take into consideration in regards to the stretch of the material, the pattern will stretch overtime!!!!  Putting the shirt on and taking it off just once has already created a decent amount of stretch within the material.

Amanda Marder: Week 5 Laser Cut Fabric Trial 1

Step one for next time: iron the fabric!

Anyways, here is my first attempt at laser cutting fabric.  

Here's the pattern I used for the fabric cut:

First try! I am pretty content with my settings that I concluded based on some research based on leather:

  


Um.....so if there was a way to describe 2D having under cuts...this is what would happen. The tight cuts made to create the legs leaves very thin pieces of fabric so hang and not stay in place.  Possible if this was a fitted shirt I could get away with some types of these cuts but not really.

 Monsters in my belly.

Overall it looks like my shirt was caught in a unique shredder.  Time to try out some other patterns.  I do not intend to use this technique to just alter pre-existing clothing.  To be continued!