Origami artist Vincent Floderer makes amazing organic forms from paper. Here is a video of Vincent making a paper mushroom.
The techniques look very simple and he uses inexpensive materials (in this case I think wrapping paper used by a traditional butcher’s shop – perhaps similar to our greaseproof paper?). Interestingly, he references the need for long fibres within the paper to give sufficient tensile strength when the paper is folded and wetted.
In this video, Vincent creates an amazing range of organic structures, again using basic papers. There are strong images of corals, flowers, fractals and other natural shapes. The fluid qualities and movement of the pieces suggest that with the right fabric these could be used most effectively in a textile setting. The apparent strength yet delicacy of the pieces is fascinating.
I am not sure how well these techniques could be used with fabric but am sure that there must be scope for adapting the method, perhaps using crepe bandage, muslin or a similar fine but strong fabric. As I think that the fabric would try to uncrease itself, possibly soaking in very dilute pva or starch paste and moulding whilst still wet would allow a good shape to be made.
Paper made from shredded cotton rags might be an option if this can be made fine enough and would also allow the introduction of colour, either by using dyed fabric or adding dye to the pulp.
Alternatively, it would also be worth exploring whether stitch could be used to hold folds in place.
The Crimp website has lots more inspiration and ideas here:
http://le-crimp.org/spip.php?page=visiovideos&id_article=17
My pinterest board of Vincent’s work and related items:
https://www.pinterest.com/hueanddye/artists-vincent-floderer/
References:
CRIMP!!! origami. 2015. CRIMP!!! origami. [ONLINE] Available at: http://le-crimp.org/spip.php?page=portefolio2&id_article=2. [Accessed 14 September 2015].
Vincent Floderer’s Paper Crumpling – Quarto Creates. 2015. Vincent Floderer’s Paper Crumpling – Quarto Creates. [ONLINE] Available at: http://blog.quartoknows.com/quartocreates/2014/07/29/vincent-floderers-paper-crumpling/. [Accessed 14 September 2015].