METHOD OF IMBEDDING FIBERS INTO A TEXTILE

Abstract

A textile with imbedded fibers includes a textile base having one or more fibers imbedded therein to create unique and decorative patterns thereon. In particular, the textiles can include garments, such as dresses and blouses, thereby creating unique apparel. A method of imbedding fibers into the textile includes laying one or more fibers onto the textile in a desired position, felting the one or more fibers to the textile, and stitching the fibers in place on the textile.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of textiles of existing art and more specifically relates to textiles with imbedded fibers therein and a method of imbedding fibers into textiles to create garments with unique and decorative patterns.

RELATED ART

For centuries, humans have incorporated decorative patterns into textiles to enhance their aesthetic appeal, adding visual interest and beauty to clothing and other textiles. Various techniques are currently employed to create these patterns, such as applique, embroidery, printing, and dyeing. Each technique offers a unique way to add texture, color, and design to fabric, contributing to the rich diversity of textile arts. For example, applique involves the stitching of fabric pieces onto a base fabric to create designs, often resulting in a layered and textured effect. Embroidery, on the other hand, entails the use of thread or yarn to stitch designs onto fabric, allowing for intricate and detailed patterns that can range from simple line work to elaborate motifs.

Silk is a highly coveted fabric in the world of fashion and textiles. Its natural sheen and smooth texture give it an elegant appearance that drapes beautifully, making it a popular choice for high-end clothing. Beyond its aesthetic and tactile appeal, silk is incredibly strong despite its delicate appearance, offering durability that enhances its practicality. However, there are ethical concerns in the current prior art method of harvesting silk. In particular, to harvest silk currently, silkworm cocoons are collected and boiled, which kills the silkworms.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a new method of forming decorative patterns on textiles, one that can expand the possibilities for design and creativity; as well as provide a more ethical method of harvesting silk for use in garments and other textiles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known textile and garment art, the present disclosure provides novel textiles with imbedded fibers and a method of imbedding. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to create unique and decorative textile pieces (e.g., garments) by imbedding fibers into the textile piece in a desired decorative pattern.

A method of imbedding fibers into a textile is disclosed herein. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the method of imbedding fibers into a textile may comprise the steps of: laying one or more fibers down on the textile in a desired position (i.e., the position, or pattern, in which a user would like the fiber to permanently be imbedded into the textile); felting the fiber to the textile base; and stitching the felted fiber in place on the textile.

According to another embodiment, a textile piece is disclosed herein. According to one or more embodiments, the textile piece may include a knitted base and one or more fibers imbedded into the knitted base. The one or more fibers having been imbedded into the knitted base by performing the steps of the method of imbedding fibers into a textile base, as described above.

According to still another embodiment, a garment disclosed herein. The garment may comprise a textile base, and a plurality of fibers imbedded into the textile base. Again, the plurality of fibers having been imbedded into the textile base by following the steps of the method of imbedding fibers into a textile, as has been described above.

According to still another embodiment, a method of embroidering a garment with a silkworm cocoon is disclosed herein. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the method of embroidering a garment with a silkworm cocoon may comprise the steps of: raising a silkworm in a silkworm cocoon; boiling the silk cocoon; the silk cocoon is still hot, shaping the silk cocoon to a desired appearance; and hand sewing the shaped silk cocoon to a garment.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, textiles with imbedded fibers and method of imbedding, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a textile with a fiber laid thereon in a desired position, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the fiber being felted to the textile, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the fiber being stitched in place on the textile, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the fiber stitched in place on the textile with a zig-zag stitch, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a blouse with a plurality of fibers imbedded therein in desired patterns, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a dress with a plurality of fibers imbedded therein in desired patterns, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of another dress with a plurality of fibers imbedded therein in desired patterns, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of imbedding fibers into a textile, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of embroidering a garment with a silkworm cocoon, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to textile pieces with imbedded fibers and a method of imbedding the fibers into textiles to create unique and decorative textile pieces, such as garments, including dresses and blouses.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-9, various views of a textile 100 (FIGS. 1-4), various views of a garment 200 (FIGS. 5-7), a flow diagram illustrating steps taken in performing a method of imbedding fibers into a textile 300 (FIG. 8) and a flow diagram illustrating steps taken in performing a method of embroidering a garment with a silkworm cocoon 400 (FIG. 9).

Referring first to FIGS. 1-4, illustrating a textile 100 and demonstrating the method of imbedding fibers into the textile (300), according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the first step begins with a textile base 110. In some embodiments, the textile base 110 may be a knitted textile base created by a series of interconnected loops of yarn or thread. The textile base 110 can be made from any suitable materials and with any suitable yard/thread thickness and rib. For example, a hand-knitted base in 1×1 rib, knit with 50% cotton and 50% silk. However, it should be appreciated that the textile base 110 is not limited to this configuration or these materials, nor is the textile base 110 limited to being knitted. For example, in some embodiments, the textile base 110 may be crocheted.

As demonstrated in FIG. 1, once the textile base 110 has been chosen, a user may then choose one or more fibers 120 to imbed into the textile base 110. The one or more fibers 120 can be chosen based on desired effect, style, color, design, etc. of the finished textile. For example, the one or more fibers 120 may be materials such as hand-pulled silk, goat, wool, acrylic, alpaca, cotton, nylon, rayon, flax, grass, leaves, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the hand-pulled silk may be silk harvested using steps in the method of embroidering a garment with a silkworm cocoon 400 (FIG. 9), which will be discussed below in more detail. In particular, the silk cocoon is boiled subsequent to removal of the silkworm, ensuring no harm is caused to the silkworm. However, it should be appreciated that the list of fibers is not exhaustive, other materials are contemplated and the invention is not limited to use with solely these materials.

As demonstrated in FIG. 1, the user may then place the chosen one or more fibers 120 down on the textile base 110, in the position in which the user would like the one or more fibers 120 to be imbedded into the textile base 110. In particular, as above, the one or more fibers 120 are imbedded into the textile to create decorative and unique patterns on the textile; as such, the user should place the one or more fibers 120 in the desired pattern.

As shown in FIG. 2, the user then felts the one or more fibers 120 to the textile base 110, in a desired position/pattern. As shown here, this may be achieved via a hand felting tool 121, such as a three-prong hand felt needle. In other examples, an industrial felting machine may be used. As demonstrated in FIGS. 3-4, once the one or more fibers 120 have been felted, the user may then stitch thread 130 over the one or more felted fibers 120 a to further secure the fibers 120 a to the textile base 110. Again, this step may be achieved via hand (using a sewing needle 131 as shown in FIG. 3); or via a machine—for example, via a sewing machine (not illustrated).

In some embodiments, the stitching of the one or more felted fibers 120 a may further provide a decorative feature to the textile base 110. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the user may stitch over the one or more felted fibers 120 a in a zig zag pattern (‘zig zag stitch’), providing an added aesthetic appeal to the textile base 110 whilst also securing the one or more felted fibers 120 a thereto and providing flexibility and durability.

Referring now more specifically to FIGS. 5-7, there is shown various views of garments 200, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As has been discussed above, the garment 200 includes imbedded fibers 210 therein to create decorative patterns and form unique garment pieces. In particular, FIG. 5 demonstrates a blouse 201, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown here, a plurality of fibers 210 have been imbedded into the blouse 201, utilizing steps from the method of imbedding fibers into a textile 300, as has been discussed above (and the steps shown in the flow diagram of FIG. 8). Further, FIGS. 6-7 demonstrate two versions of a dress 202a, 202b, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Again, here, a plurality of fibers 210 have been imbedded into the dresses 202a, 202b utilizing steps from the method of imbedding fibers into a textile 300.

As shown here in FIGS. 5-7, the patterns created using these fibers 210 can be different. It should be appreciated that the patterns and designs shown here are provided for illustrative purposes to aid in understanding of the invention and do not limit the invention in any way. It is contemplated that there is no particular limit to patterns or designs that can be created using the one or more fibers 210. It should also be appreciated that the garment 200 is not limited to being a dress or a blouse.

It should also be appreciated that throughout these figures, a texture has been used to demonstrate the fibers (110, 210) for illustrative purposes and does not limit the invention in any way.

Referring now to FIG. 8 showing a flow diagram illustrating a method of imbedding fibers into a textile 300, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In particular, the method of imbedding fibers into a textile 300 may include one or more components or features of the textile 100 and garment 200 as described above. As illustrated, the method of imbedding fibers into a textile 300 may include the steps of: step one 301, laying one or more fibers on the textile in a desired position; step two 302, felting the one or more fibers to the textile in the desired position; and step three 303, stitching the one or more felted fibers in place on the textile.

As above, the felting step (302) may include using hand tools or machines. As shown in FIG. 2, needle felting may be used. Needle felting, a dry method, involves arranging the fibers on the textile base and using needles to repeatedly push into the fibers. Barbs on the needles catch the fibers and pull them through the textile base, causing them to tangle and bind together. This method allows for precise shaping and detailing, making it possible to create intricate designs or sculptural forms.

Further, the stitching step (303) can include using hand tools, such as needles, and machines, such as sewing machines. For example, hand stitching can be used for textiles requiring extra precision and control. On the other hand, a sewing machine can be used for larger projects and tasks that require strong, consistent seams and where a variety of stitches can be utilized. Again, as above, the a zig zag stitch may be used.

Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown a flow diagram illustrating a method of embroidering a garment with a silkworm cocoon 400, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown here, the method of embroidering a garment with a silkworm cocoon 400 may comprise the steps of: step one 401, raising a silkworm in a silkworm cocoon; step two 402, harvesting the silk cocoon after the silkworm has hatched; step three 403, boiling the silk cocoon; step four 404, the silk cocoon is still hot, shaping the silk cocoon to a desired appearance; and step five 405, hand sewing the shaped silk cocoon to a garment.

The step of boiling the silk cocoon (403) includes boiling the silk cocoon without the silkworm inside, as the silkworm is removed prior to boiling. As such, the method 400 causes no harm to the silkworm, as is the case with prior art methods, and is therefore a much more sustainable and ethical method of harvesting silk.

The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112 (f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for felting and stitching are taught herein.

Those with ordinary skill in the art will now appreciate that upon reading this specification and by their understanding the art of felting and stitching as described herein, methods of imbedding fibers into textiles will be understood by those knowledgeable in such art.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

Claims

1. A method of imbedding fibers into a textile, the method comprising the steps of: laying one or more fibers on the textile in a desired position;felting the one or more fibers to the textile in the desired position; andstitching the one or more felted fibers in place on the textile.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of stitching includes stitching over the one or more fibers in a zig zag stitch configuration.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of stitching comprises stitching by hand.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of stitching comprises stitching using a sewing machine.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of felting the one or more fibers comprises felting using a felting tool.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of felting the one or more fibers comprises felting using a felting machine.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the textile is a knitted textile.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the textile is a garment.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the garment is a blouse.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the garment is a dress.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more fibers are chosen from at least one of silk fiber, goat fiber, acrylic fiber, flax fiber, grass fiber, leaf fiber, alpaca fiber, cotton fiber, nylon fiber, silk cocoon fiber, and rayon fiber.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the textile is a crocheted textile.

13. A method of embroidering a garment with a silkworm cocoon, comprising the steps of: raising a silkworm in a silkworm cocoon;harvesting the silk cocoon after the silkworm has hatched;boiling the silk cocoon;while the silk cocoon is still hot, shaping the silk cocoon to a desired appearance; andhand sewing the shaped silk cocoon to a garment.

14. A textile piece comprising: a knitted base; andone or more fibers imbedded into the knitted base in a desired pattern, the one or more fibers having been imbedded into the knitted base by felting the one or more fibers to the knitted base in the desired pattern, and subsequently stitching the one or more fibers in place on the knitted base.

15. The textile piece of claim 14, wherein the one or more fibers are chosen from at least one of silk fiber, goat fiber, acrylic fiber, flax fiber, grass fiber, leaf fiber, alpaca fiber, cotton fiber, nylon fiber and rayon fiber.

16. The textile piece of claim 14, wherein the one or more fibers are stitched in place using a zig zag stitch configuration.

17. A garment comprising: a textile base; anda plurality of fibers imbedded into the textile base in desired patterns, the plurality of fibers having been imbedded into the textile base by felting the plurality of fibers to the textile base in the desired patterns, and subsequently stitching the plurality of fibers in place on the textile base.

18. The garment of claim 17, wherein the garment is a blouse.

19. The garment of claim 17, wherein the garment is a dress.

20. The garment of claim 17, wherein the plurality of fibers are chosen from at least one of silk fiber, goat fiber, acrylic fiber, flax fiber, grass fiber, leaf fiber, alpaca fiber, cotton fiber, nylon fiber, silkworm cocoon fiber, and rayon fiber.

21. The garment of claim 17, wherein the plurality of fibers are stitched in place using a zig zag stitch configuration.