Creative Design: Professional

Yellowstone Impression

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Abstract

Yellowstone Impression was intended to integrate traditional handcraft techniques and innovative laser cutting technology to illustrate the connection between craftsmanship, technology, fabric expression, and the grandeur of nature. The colorways and silhouette of the needle felting were inspired by the Mammoth Hot Springs and overall beautiful landscape of Yellowstone National Park (YNP). The outline shapes of each layer of travertine terraces were traced in AI from photos. Merino wool fibers in turquoise, light blue, and green colors were laid out and needle felted on the natural color felt, and were then laser cut into a variety of “terrace” shapes. On the wearer’s left side, the designer needle felted an irregularly shaped circle to mimic the springs of Mammoth Hot Springs using a variety colors of wool fibers. Matched colors of seed beads were hand sewn on the felted circle to represent the hundreds of animals, and birds documented at YNP.

Keywords: hand beading, laser cutting, Needle felting, needle felting laser cutting

How to Cite:

Zhang, L., (2020) “Yellowstone Impression”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 77(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.11938