ACID ETCHING

A technique for creating textile surface pattern: acid is selectively applied to a woven fabric in order to dissolve certain fibres, thereby creating 'see through' or semi-sheer areas that create the pattern. Devore scarves are perhaps our most usual contact with acid etched fabrics. There are two main ways of using acid etching: a) the cloth is woven to a given design with two fibres, one which will react to the acid and disappear, leaving the major structure intact with a translucent motif; b) alternatively, the acid is applied to create a design onto and into the fabric. Probably the In glass etching acids are sometimes used to create pattern and imagery.