This document discusses several methods of fabric colouring and decoration, including dyeing, pigment dyeing, block printing, tie dyeing, stencil printing, quilting, smocking, embroidery, ribbon work, screen printing, and metallic thread embroidery. It provides details on the materials and processes involved in each technique, such as how dyes penetrate fabric while pigments are applied to the surface, how patterns are carved onto blocks for block printing, and how stencils are cut out of sheets for applying colour in defined areas through stencils. It also gives brief overviews of techniques like tie dyeing, quilting, smocking, and different embroidery stitches used for fabric decoration.

1. SOME METHODS OF FABRIC COLOURING AND FABRIC DECORATION
Colour is a visual sensation. Colour can add be added to the textile object by either dyes or pigments.
Dyes are molecules that can be dissolved in water or some other carrier so that they will penetrate into the fibre.
a small amount of dye will colour large quantities of fabric. a small amount of dye will colour large quantities of fabric.
Dyes are also used for printing. Textile printing is a process of applying colour to fabric in definite pattern or design.
Pigments are insoluble colour particles that are held on to the surface of the fabric by abinding agent. Their
application is quick, simple and economical. Any colour can be used on any fibre, because the pigments are
held on mechanically.
FABRIC COLOURING
Block printing is a hand process; it is probably the oldest techique for
stamped on the fabric . More than one colour print is possible, but
a block. The block is dipped in a shallow pan of dye paste and
decorating textiles. It is expensive and slow. A pattern is carved on
BLOCK PRINTING
a separate block is needed for each colour. Block printing is a form of direct
printing here the fabric is laid flat on a smooth padded surface and anchored
securely. Extra pressure is exerted on the block to exert clear colour.
TIE AND DYE
Tie and Dye is a hand process in which the fabric is tied in certain
areas with threads or strings. This is then dyed, and the strings are
removed, leaving certain areas undyed, thus forming a design.
Tie and Dye is a hand process in which the fabric is tied in certain
areas with threads or strings. This is then dyed, and the strings are
removed, leaving certain areas undyed, thus forming a design.
STENCIL PRINTING
In stencil printing, design areas are cut from sheets of paper coated with
expensive and thus gave rise to screen printing.
is applied by hand with a brush or sprayed. Stencil work was slow and
prepared for each colour.The stencil is placed on a fabric and colour
oil, wax or varnish or from thin sheets of metal. A separate stencil is
QUILTING
Arocking, straight or running stitchis commonly used and these stitches can be purely
Quilting is a sewing method done to join two or more layers of
material put together to make a thicker padded material. Quilting can be
done by hand ,by sewing machine, or by specialist long arm quilting system
The process of quilting uses a needle and thread to join two or more layers of
material to make a Quilt. Typically quilting is done with 3 layers of top fabric
or quilt top, batting or insulating material and backing material.
functional or decorative and elaborate. Quilting is done to create bed spreads
,art quilt wall hangings, clothing , and variety of textile product
SMOCKING
Embroidery is the art or handicraft of decorating fabric or the other material
with needle and thread or yarn. embroidery may also incorporate other
A characterstics of embroidery is that the basic techniques or stitches of the
earliest work-chain stitch, buttonhole or blanket stitch, running stitch,
Embroidery can be done from machines.Machine embroidery arised in the early stage
of Industrial Revolution.
EMBROIDERY
Cable stitch, Stem stitch, Outline stitch ,Cable flowerette ,Wave stitch,
Smocking may be done in many sophisticated patterns :
as the finished item will have.The fabric should be lightweight fabric
of its original width, although changes are sometimes lesser with
usually involves reducing the dimensions of a piece of fabric to 1/3rd
Smocking refers to work done before a garment is assembled. It
tightness. Smocking requires three times the width of initial material
thick fabrics. Individual smocking stitches also vary considerably in
with a stable weave that gathers well.
Honeycomb stitch , Surface honeycomb stitch ,Trellis stitch ,Vandyke stitch ,Bullion
stitch.
material.
satin stitch, cross stitch remains the fundamental technique of hand embroidery.
These make wonderful adornments for hats and other clothing items that do not need
is often used.Some of the most exquisite and interesting floral designs are crafted
Ribbon weaving is fascinating. Using a board and pins, you weave ribbon back
RIBBON WORK
Ribbonwork does not require silk or even high grade/fine synthetic ribbon, although it
out of satin, velvet, moiré, wired rayon and novelty ribbons.
and forth, then bind with an interfacing to create fabric for pillows, clothing and accents.
to be laundered. Folded and stitched ribbon flowers are also very commonly
used
METALLIC EMBROIDERY SCREEN PRINTING
The screen is made by covering a frame with a fine, strong mesh fabric of silk thread
,metal , nylon or polyester. .with a film. The design areasThis fabric mesh is then covered
are cut of the film. The design areas are cut out of the film, leave the fine mesh open for
the dyestuff to pass through and print the fabric.The squeezee is used to move the dye across
the sreen and force the colour through the open areas on the fabric. 1 screen is prepared for each
colour. The size of the screen must be large enough to include atleast one repeat pattern.
Screen printing is desirable for the for the production of large patterns and for fabrics that
require considerable dye, such as uncutpile.
Metallic and metal thread work offer infinite creative option for today’s embroiderer.
Metal Thread in textile decoration owes its importance to the symbolic signoficance
attached. Gold represents the magical power of the sun. Modern Technology and
knowledge of fiber construction has enabled to create metallic threads that are soft
easy to use non-tarnishing. Metallic Threads are used today in many different stitches.
The work done wit metallic thread is vey attractive.

2. STENCIL PRINTING BLOCK PRINTING AND
METALLIC THREAD EMBROIDERY
RIBBON WORK TIE AND DYE
AND EMBROIDERY
SMOCKING
SAMPLES OF FABRIC COLOURING AND FABRIC DECORATION