Lace #1 - CAD/CAM Industrial Woven Jacquard Design

Lace #1 illustrates the result of my design research investigation into a CAD/CAM industrial woven jacquard textile design method. It explores the ability to completely control warp and weft threads movement away from the usual 90-degree positions, whilst being woven, using an industrial production method and not requiring post weaving manual manipulation. The resultant design creates a ‘lace’ effect without relying on a specialist lace loom and can be woven on a standard industrial jacquard loom. This design and subsequent developments have been developed not to replicate existing fabric methods but are an innovative design method in its own right. This was a design technical construction project, therefore the final end use and meaning of the design is constituted not by the designer, but by the consumer further down the supply chain. Lace #1 is a development on from own previous research question investigating ‘on-loom’ finishing effects within the industrial woven jacquard process. The resultant prototypes require only scouring and stentering with no additional finishing processes such as pleating or embroidery. The outcomes of my research have a dual focus: creative and innovative fabrics; and a new approach to the standard industrial production method. The research includes investigation of CAD/CAM, yarn and woven structure innovation to achieve these ’on loom’ effects. Both my research and professional practice require a keen awareness of new developments in yarn, fabric and structural processes