Fibre Arts

 

There is a renaissance in the world of textiles. It has been led by a new generation of designers who have found inspiration in the roots of traditional handicrafts, yet energized by urban culture and global vision, they have challenged our perceptions of what can be created with fibers, surfaces and structures. In this program, the traditional marries the non traditional as the artist works with materials that range from supple and sumptuous to experimental and provocative. Textiles and fibers have unlimited potential for personal expression, and offer the artist texture, pattern, light, colour and movement. Artists and designers interested in sculpture, fashion, textile design, interior design, art clothing, theatre, and industry will find this program offers them a dynamic medium for expression.

 

Program Highlights

The studio-based environment of this 14-week immersion program is suitable for beginning to advanced practitioners seeking to develop or expand their exploration and interpretation of traditional as well as unconventional materials. Basic processes in fabric construction (weaving, knitting, felting, interlacing); surface design (dyeing, 2 dimensional pattern design, printing manipulation, surface embellishments); and three-dimensional construction (patternmaking, sewing) help students build a repertoire of techniques. The juxtaposition of contemporary, historical, and international perspectives in the program promotes a culture of experimentation and innovation. In this environment textile artists can find expression in creating sculpture, fabrics, and clothing in both two and three-dimensions. Students may choose to work from an art or a design perspective, seeking inspiration from a range of resources in order to develop personal ideas and themes. Throughout the program, projects of increasing challenge help stimulate students' creative potential, and are complemented by courses in design, colour, drawing, and textile history. Administrative and business skills emphasize professional presentation and help develop an understanding of market dynamics. Studio sessions will include research and discussions, developing the students' ability to critically assess their work and establish a personal signature.

 

Why Choose Fleming?

This program, backed by the excellence and reputation of Fleming College's Haliburton School of The Arts, is delivered by a variety of highly respected artists in a unique and nurturing environment. Each course combines lecture and hands-on practical exercises during 32.5 hours of in-class studies, as well as scheduled studio time with a technician available. Professional artists will help you with design issues in order to move toward your own visual and material language. Upon completion of this program, you will have compiled technical data and physical samples for future use.

 

Minimum Admission Requirements

OSSD with the majority of credits at the College (C) and Open (O) level, including:

• 2 College (C) English courses (Grade 11 or Grade 12) 

When (C) is the minimum course level for admission, (U) or (U/C) courses are also accepted.

Mature Students
If you are 19 years of age or older before classes start, and you do not possess an OSSD, you can write the Canadian Adult Achievement Test to assess your eligibility for admission.

 

Selection Process

 

Related Programs

You may apply the credits you earn from the Fibre Arts program toward the Fleming College Visual and Creative Arts Diploma - you're halfway there with the 14 credits that you have completed in this certificate. Or, you may want to consider one of our other arts certificate programs. Graduates of the Fibre Arts certificate will be considered for entrance into the Sheridan College Crafts and Design advanced diploma program. Successful applicants will enter directly into the second year of the program. All applicants will be required to present a portfolio as part of the admission process.

 

Diploma Requirements

The 14 credits earned on completion of this certificate program may be applied towards the 29 credits required to attain the Visual and Creative Arts Diploma.

Course	Hours
Semester 1
Applied Design for Textiles	47.50
Art History VII: Textiles	47.50
Design - Fibre Arts	47.50
Drawing - Fibre Arts	47.50
Fabric & Fibre Construction	47.50
Innovation - Fibre Arts	47.50
Marketing/Portfolio Development	47.50
Textile Dyeing & Pigments	95.00
Textile Embellishment	95.00
Textile Manipulation	95.00
Textiles: Fibre to Fabric Science	47.50

Semester 1

Applied Design for Textiles

Course Number: ARTS443

Develop professional skills and techniques required for the construction of 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional textile design. You will be introduced to trimmings and notions along with construction equipment and processes, assembly procedures, cutting fabric, basic pattern-making and finishing techniques. Work sequence and small production techniques will also be studied. Safety will be emphasized in the operation of all sewing construction equipment. The ability to translate the principles of design into a viable and professionally finished product will be emphasized.

Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50

Art History VII: Textiles

Course Number: ARTS444

Textiles embody the spirit of human creativity and convey fascinating information about the cultures in which they originated. This survey course provides an introduction to the major periods and styles of textiles and fibre arts from 20,000 B.C., Paleolithic String Revolution through the Industrial Revolution to modern times. The development of textiles as body covering as well as an art form will be explored. "You can concentrate the history of mankind into the evolution of flax, wool and cotton fibre into clothing". (Dewey) Study the influence of natural fibres and colorants on cloth and garments. Investigate linen burial shrouds, wool of the Late Stone Age, secrets of silk fabrics, and the relevance of the loom to create large pieces of cloth. Social rank was encoded through symbols in material, colour and embellishment. Research William Morris's influence on surface embroidery as decorative art and how textile designer, Anni Albers captured the heart and soul in textiles. This course provides an important frame of reference for recognizing the components and various periods and styles of fibres and companion cloth, and how they related to the availability of fibres and identified social status and cultures.

Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50

Design - Fibre Arts

Course Number: ARTS989

This focused course will provide the fibre arts student with a basic understanding of the impact of the design process on textiles, fashion, functional and non-functional forms. Through research and presentation, they will explore the specific elements of design which apply to a broad range of examples in the work of textile artists, fashion designers, and fibre artists from specific eras and movements. These artists will be discussed in relation to styles both historical and contemporary, and in relation to the students¿ personal interests and themes. Students will use journals to gather research material and concepts in the development of personal themes and interests.

Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50

Drawing - Fibre Arts

Course Number: ARTS990

This course will engage the student in basic drawing processes as they relate to the design and description of works in fibres and textiles. Focusing on line, proportion, light, texture, colour and pattern, and motif, students will produce sketches, working drawings and presentation renderings. Simple yet powerful processes to develop both representational drawing skills and concept drawings will be explored in the classroom. Observational drawings from a variety of natural and man made objects and patterns can be a rich source in determining design from sculptural form to surface embellishment. Basic colouring techniques for drawings will be addressed using materials such as watercolour, gouache, soluble pencils and pencil crayons. Attention will be given to the use of sketching for creative design processes. Students will use journals to gather research material and concepts.

Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50

Fabric & Fibre Construction

Course Number: ARTS991

This course will provide the students with the opportunity to explore some of the many exciting ways in which material surfaces can be created in processes such as weaving, felting, knitting, interlacing and papermaking. Using traditional yarns and fibres, as well as non conventional materials, they will develop an understanding of the properties of different surfaces which result from both the nature of the materials as well as the method of assembly. Attention will be given to the processes which will support the development of both two dimensional and three dimensional surfaces.

Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50

Innovation - Fibre Arts

Course Number: ARTS445

In this course, students will discover and develop a personal sense of design style, the 'feel' that sets them apart from the crowd, and gives them a sense of who they are, and what they want to say. Using techniques and tools developed in other courses that best represent their passions and own unique approach; students will enjoy the risk taking in experimental design. Students will present both finished works and proposals for future projects in fibres and textiles, using journals to gather research material and concepts in the development of these personal themes and interests.

Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50

Marketing/Portfolio Development

Course Number: MKTG053

This course is about doing in the world of art, craft and design. Practicing artists can choose from many different paths to advance their personal and artistic goals. This course examines the ways in which artists can assess choices in further education, financing and operating their own studio, presenting themselves, and promoting and marketing their work. Students will analyze the various aspects of developing a portfolio, photographing and editing quality images for promotion and documentation, and writing an artist¿s statement, cv, cover letters, and promotional materials. They will research and evaluate the services of trade/support organizations, marketing venues, the process for grant applications, artists residencies and internships. Resources for learning the issues in successfully operating a studio, along with the business practices and legal implications of these operations will also be investigated. Students will summarize their personal goals to establish their own specific set of options for continuing their artist's practices. In class sessions will involve research, writing, presentation, and critical discussion.

Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50

Textile Dyeing & Pigments

Course Number: ARTS446

Direct and indirect applications of dye and pigments will be introduced, while strongly emphasizing safe applications and procedures for dye chemistry in the studio. Working with fibre reactive dyes, acid dyes, water based pigments, textured pigments, and metallic pigments you will create a sample swatch book. Instruction lab sheets will detail painting, printing (both with dyes and pigments) and immersion dyeing with fibre reactive and acid dyes. Sources for all materials will be complied, and you will practice colour mixing these dye and pigment mediums. Physical resists such as wax, water-based resist, will be investigated. The Japanese art of Shibori will be introduced, and you will create 3 dimensional shapes while dyeing textiles. A wide range of resist techniques will be explored in order to create a visual vocabulary for your own personal way of making images?abstract, detailed, realistic. These techniques can range from torn paper, masking tape, frisket, photo emulsion silkscreens, or cutting paper stencils.

Units: 95.00
Hours: 95.00

Textile Embellishment

Course Number: ARTS447

Practice techniques that enrich and add colour, light and pattern to textiles. In the needlework tradition you will develop skills to hand embroider, machine embroider, applique and reverse applique for design exploration. Applied pattern exercises will generate ideas for printing repeat designs, monoprints and motifs. Through exploration, you will identify your own personal interests and tastes and will embellish textiles two and three dimensionally for unique surface effects.

Units: 95.00
Hours: 95.00

Textile Manipulation

Course Number: ARTS448

Learn three dimensional design techniques that physically manipulate textiles, including gathering, folding, darting, filled relief and quilt piecing. The deconstructed processes of slashing, embossing, tearing, and burning are also investigated. Semi-transparent overlays will be demonstrated and sampled. Sculptural effects will be discussed and explored with wiring, laminating and padding different forms. By exploring personal tastes and interests, you will develop your own style using some of these textural effects. Your ideas and unique approach will then be translated into reality by combining these skills with design principles, choice of form, appropriate surface enrichment and craftsmanship to develop highly personal manipulated textiles.

Units: 95.00
Hours: 95.00

Textiles: Fibre to Fabric Science

Course Number: ARTS450

Natural fibres have been used for apparel and home fashion for thousands of years. Technology exploded in 1910 with the discovery of rayon and continues today with micro-fibres finer than the finest silk. This course will address your interest in the construction of clothing or household projects and the design, care, preservation and merchandising of these articles in relationship to their properties. Instruction will provide an understanding of structure, characteristics and proper handling of a wide range of materials, enabling you to effectively utilize them in the construction processes of fibre arts. The structure of modern textiles will be demonstrated by blending natural and man-made fibres. Chemical reactions of natural colourants and their mordants, as used on textiles, will also be addressed and researched.

Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50