Red Ant Colony

Description: This thinner material could be applied to a more fitted garment such as a button-down shirt, a dress, or a blouse, though it may require lining.

Textile/Material: A slightly shredded turquoise silk fabric with a smooth layer of wool on the inside and small hairy sprouts on the outside. A bright red print blends and grows with the red spurs pierced through it.

Impact on Planet/People/Animals: The silk base fabric was leftover from a designer's project. Merino wool is one of the most sustainable wools produced. This particular one is produced in the EU, sourced from a small-scale farm that follows organic production principles, guarantees a mulesing-free process, and prioritizes animal welfare.

Construction:

• Composition: 100% WO
• Raw Materials: Wool, Merino Wool
• Coloration: Yarn dyed, Fiber dyed
• Sourcing: Leftover Fabric and Meaningful Crafts
• Weave: Weave + Non Woven

Circularity: The great thing about needle punching as a technique is that fibers and fabrics can be reused over again. The wool can be removed and repurposed from this sample. Its soft quality will have diminished, but in any case, needle punch felting is extremely flexible and versatile, and recycled wool can add an extra element and quality that may not be achieved with new wool. It is something that can be explored and appreciated in its own way.

Recipe: A print inspired by shapes found in ants' nests was block printed onto a turquoise silk fabric. Three thin layers of red wool fiber were laid out on the inside of the silk. Using an industrial needle punching machine at studio Boldwool, I passed the fabric three times through the machine. I ensured to keep the wool fibers facing up, towards the needles so that they would punch the fibers downwards through the poplin base and through the red print.