Pine Fibre

This project was a continuation of my Compine project where I designed a biodegradable plastic. Pine Fibre was an exploratory project looking into bio textiles. I utilized a home carding technique to stretch and roll pine fibres into rope. To contextualize the design, I used burlap to illustrate how the pine fibre totes would look if I had access to industrial textile machinery.

I focused on showcasing the various stages of the manufacturing process, from gathering pine needles to creating the final fabric. By highlighting the transformation of pine needles, which are often wasted during timber felling, I aimed to demonstrate how these natural by-products can be repurposed into sustainable composite materials. Natural fibres are elongated substances produced by plants and animals, essential for creating textiles that play a significant role in society. To address climate change and the waste issues associated with the fast fashion industry, I developed a textile using unused pine needles.

Creating this fabric required specific manufacturing techniques like pressing and binding, utilizing water and natural binding agents to bond the fibres into a cohesive sheet. While industrial machines such as carding and crushing equipment enhance production efficiency, I endeavoured to replicate these processes at home. The resulting sheet fabric can be cut and fashioned into clothing and accessories, either by sewing machines or hand-stitching. Additionally, the fabric is biodegradable, and when decomposed in the soil, the pine fibres provide beneficial nutrients that can fertilize the ground.