Dash and Miller- Week Three..

As dyeing became a big part of my previous work, it was an easy and obvious choice for me to continue this into the Dash and Miller project. Working with the Royal Blue acid dyes I already had mixed from my ‘Self Developed’ project I carefully designed my samples in relation to which fibres would have the dye applied. After washing, brushing, teasing and constructing, dyeing was the final process in my woven collection for the Dash and Miller project.

 

 

Dash and Miller- Week Two..

Reflecting on the brief composed by weave and design company Dash and Miller, I chose Interior Designers 'Harlequin' as my main source of inspiration to guide me through this next project; for my colour palette and for my weaving design work too. The range that has particularly inspired me is called ‘Amazilia’  and consists of velvet fabrics for both soft and hard furnishings. The colour palette that I’ve selected from their range strongly reflects the colours of a peacocks feather, something I’ve never selected before. As my samples are on a smaller scale this time, the concept for this brief will be for boarders for any interior based items e.g. curtains, cushions, throws etc, in a similar way to Nina Campbell’s wide woven boarders. Her ideas of edging, boarders and trimmings really inspired me and has taken me in a different direction with my work; not only weaving flat structures, but the idea of roaching them together as well as placing them together to really mix and match the designs. Being playful with these could be the key to success.

 

 

 

 

Dash and Miller- Week One..

Using the same warp from my Self-Initiated brief, I decided to develop this further into the Dash and Miller Live project; by working with what I already had it allowed me to save time, and to expand and experiment more with the work I had already done.

I started off by re-reeding the warp allowing me to split up the warp into two halves, creating two six inch samples with a small gap in the middle. I would then have the choice to either cut the samples into two or keep them as a larger sample with a non-woven float in the middle. On one half of the warp I tied in a variety of yarns including mohair, glitter lycras and 2/16s cotton.

Using both thick and thin yarns and plain weave I tightly beated down my samples to create high density samples. My selections of yarn allowed me to create both style and movement within my work.

Self Initiated- Week four..

I began with a plain cream 2/20s woollen warp, threaded very plainly and simply on the loom. The concept was for Interior Design and in particular for living spaces. I decided I didn't want to focus too much on my structures for this collection and would just be focusing the whole project on plain weaving and piece dying my samples. To lay my own identity onto my sampling, I used a wide variety of different yarns, some cream and some white, but all the yarns with so many different qualities. My experimenting with different yarn choices at this point has really gone crazy! My reason for this was to see which yarn would take the dye the best, and this also seemed to give my samples more of a personal quality and different finish. 

With my colour palette now chosen, I went into the dye lab to mix up my colours, all using acid dyes to make six strong colours to paint directly onto my samples when off the loom.

I considered that each colour would take to each yarn very differently. Luckily I was able to get my colour palette as close to my drawing work as possible which is clearly a very important part of the process.

After my dying was complete I went back to my drawing work and zoomed in on areas that I had bleached out. I focused on certain parts at one time and did similar types of marks on my sampling by discharging the dye away, a technique I had never tried before. It was a much more challenging task than I thought and it took a number of attempts to finally get right. After this first process with a selected amount of samples I decided to take them one step further by adding on a variety of embellishments including many new processes such as flocking and tufting. To finish off all of my samples I steamed them to lock in all the colour, dye and process, then sewed and tied in all my edges, as well as pressing and mounting them up all ready to be handed in. 

 

 

 

 

My Final Collection of Samples are tailored towards quirky living room décor including throws and cushions.

 

 

Self Initiated- Week Three..

Ptolomy Mann has been a huge inspiration for my Self-Initiated brief, not only the choice of bold and vibrant colour palettes that run throughout the woven collections, but the colour blending and dying skills that are included within the weaving too. The marks and movement in each of the designs indicates a unique quality. This is such a beautiful look to the work and makes it stand out. I’m not sure I know of anyone else with such designs in the woven world. I certainly think I need to explore this method a little more in my own work.

 

 

Both images below are designs by Ptolomy Mann. The colour palette is similar to my own, and with that close to mind, I do feel as if this a direction that I  can see myself exploring further.

 

Georgia Fisher has also been an inspiration for this project, in more ways than just her brushing styles. Even though her colour palette is quite the opposite to my own her marks are very similar and this was something I picked up on straight away. I will continue to use this as a reference.

 

Self Initiated- Week Two..

Before I became too focused on weaving at the loom I decided that now was my time to do some real experimenting in other areas of the course. I chose to look closely at the very first drawing I did for this project, along with a few others. I decided to do a collection of iron on transfer samples, on a synthetic cotton material which allowed the colours to be more vibrant on the surface of the fabric - just the look I was aiming for. 

To push my samples on further I then went on to the embellishing machine, and gathered together specific areas of the weave. I did this by pulling the fibres together,  which in turn created movement in the fabric. This was something I felt worked really well and will be a technique I will be including in my woven sampling.  

Self Initiated- Week One..

Continuing from my Summer project and onto the Bradford Brief I decided to look back on my catalogue of photographs and I picked out the one I felt most inspired me. I have chosen to base the next project on the incredible colour and tones and the amazing marks and pattern that is encapsulated in that one image. I feel very confident in its potential.

Selecting two parts of this image, the lively colour palette and the movement from the photograph, I was able to come up with a number of mark making drawings expressing exactly what my work was all about.
Unpicking the positive feedback from my two tutor critical presentations, I made a decision to stay away from 'chalky looking' media and designed a whole development folder of work using brusho, ink and bleach, giving my work a flatter and wetter appearance. This allowed me to see what worked best with both my
pattern and composition, and I began to do some tester work on thick cotton fabric to see what kind of dying ideas I could use for my sampling. I dyed and played around with a number of samples, the bottom image is the best outcome.

 

 

 

 

Bradford- Week Four..

For the final few days of weaving  for the Bradford Brief, I wanted to experiment even more by brightening up my warp. So I tied in vibrant dip dyed wool ends and scattered them across the sample. I then selectively chose yarns for my weft that would highlight all the liveliness now in this warp.

 

 

The outcome of this project has been very different to how I imagined it in the beginning. The quick start of getting back into my work  after a long Summer has been mentally tiring. I am now extremely pleased with how my finished project has come together, and especially how it’s photographed. As I am still bursting with ideas, I am looking forward to developing my Self-Initiated project even further in the coming weeks. The images below are of my final photograph and selected sample that I have decided to put forward for The Bradford Textile Society.

My Final Collection is inspired by my Summer experiences at the location I admire - my home, Llandudno in the middle of the North Wales coast. My collection of samples are tailored towards a bright and vibrant colourful explosion of throws and blankets for modern interiors.

 

Bradford- Week Three..

This week has been a lot more challenging than the previous few. I was feeling very negative towards both my weaving and my drawing and found that having a clear picture in my mind of how I wanted something to be isn’t always the best idea! I really felt that "nothing was working" and that definitely isn’t the right frame of mind whilst doing a course like this. I’m learning that there is no right or wrong and that there are many endless opportunities and combinations.
From this I decided to try and turn the negative into a positive! I took some time out and focused on what I already had instead of what I didn’t. As colouring and dying took up a massive part of my Summer work, I decided to go back to this and try something that I hadn’t done before.

I wove a white mohair sample and added elastic into one area to create movement. I then piece dyed the sample with a vibrant colour pallet to create the idea of a small scale sunset and scorching sky. This technique was simple yet so effective in my opinion. This is a perfect example of something I would like to develop further. The image below is of the same sample but before and after washing.

Bradford- Week Two..

With my tonal warp on, this now gave me a good opportunity to focus on colour and see exactly how much I could experiment with the weft to my weaving - the most exciting part.

I quickly found that the plain weave and satin structure worked best along with the bright chunky wools and mohair. This allowed me to experiment with something new in terms of the blending of colours from my photographs. I decided to brush and tease the fibres of my sample to create a very similar look to my research. Both heavy and light brushing affects were used to create two different finishes to my samples. 

 

Georgia Fisher, the winner of Texprint 2015 also has a very similar way of working. Straight away I fell in love with her unique way of weaving, using fine yarns with interactive fibres that allowed her to tease her samples to create brushed affects. This finish is a very similar look to my own work.

 

 

Bradford- Week one..

I was hugely inspired by the standard of work at this year’s Degree Show, one particular student that stood out for me was weaver Camilla Thomas. I found that there were many things that we had in common, both her work and her life style too. I’m inspired to follow her lead for my own projects, such as her particular colour palette choices, yarn choices and adding in extra ends to her warp.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As I have focused on colour, tones and textures within my work, the artists that I have closely selected share the same focus. Wendy Puerto is my inspiration throughout the Bradford Brief. Below are my five favourite images of her work.

 

The first week back after a long Summer break and I was eager to be back at the loom but this came with having to make some very quick and important decisions. As I was looking through my Summer work, in order to continue with the brief, without even realising I found some similarities between Wendy Puerto’s style and my own. 

With Lesley’s specific guidance after my first tutorial, I selected a tonal colour palette of cream, baby blue and peppermint green - all lambswool. I needed to create the chunkiness for my samples to fit the right context to my work.

 

With relation to my drawing work, I started off with my Summer project and picked the areas that were the strongest to develop into this brief. Selecting a lively colour palette, I was able to produce a number of compositional drawings for the look of my woven designs. At this point I decided to closely focus on three main structures for my weaving - plain, satin and sateen - carefully combining them all together to create finished pieces tailored for the interior market.

The reason I chose these particular structures is because I wanted bold, strong and eye catching sampling, the same type of colour explosion as I have in my photographs.

 

 

Bradford Textile Society..

As a part of the Practice Unit, I will be taking part in the Bradford Textile Society Live Brief; I have chosen to create “A Woven Textile Piece for Interiors” and this is where I see my future. My designs will be woven samples using wools and chunky mohairs specifically suited to soft furnishings, bringing vibrant accent pieces to homes worldwide - hopefully! 

 

For my Summer Project, I focused my whole work on colour, developing it within many types of media and processes; natural dying and my own colouring; and more technical processes to my work including Photography and Photoshop.

 

My inspiration was entirely based on my surroundings and the love of the place I call home. With regard to this, I pay close attention to the enormous skies, spectacular sunsets, the local beach and the imposing mountains beyond; such an inspiring combination. I have decided to carry this work further into The Bradford Live Brief by developing my 'colour' combinations and inspirations. 

 

I will be using my own photography as my starting point. This will reflect in terms of the yarn choices I make in the weaving of my samples.

 

The colour palette for my warp initially was inspired by a cooler, tonal colour selection taken from one of my own pieces of work that coincides with a photograph I took from Mount Snowdon during this past Summer.  
As a start I intend to continue to develop my drawings, exploring scale and composition in response to my chosen colour palette of both bold and vibrant colouring.

My instinct is to go bright and colourful. I have researched artists such as Scott Naismith, Wendy Puerto and Tim Fudge for their stunning use of colours and definitive choice of media that I would like to interpret in my own way. I have also looked at artists from the Bauhaus weavers such as Gunta Stolz and Anni Albers for their composition and techniques in their woven fabrics. These skilled artists have become a personal influence in developing my own sampling skills for future projects.

  

 

Me..

I dream well 

I live big 

I adore where I live 

and love the sky above me

I plan in lists  

I am a constant thinker 

I see in Colour, Pattern and Texture 

I am a weaver 

I design and make 

I am a big day dreamer 

Lauren 

Now saying goodbye to summer, I'm looking forward to focusing on my final year of Textiles In Practice at MMU...

Jennifer Philips..

Exploration and Experimentation 

'Exploration and Experimentation of materials has included the laser cutting of perspex, this has been intrinsic to the approach and development of  my hand- woven samples. Within this, my practice focuses on creating experimental textiles for a range of contexts; from women's outerwear fashion to corporate environments. Research into the science behind bio mimicry, nature's patterns and strategies and the innovative development of these concepts through sustainable solutions for the future have continued to underpin this body of work. 

These woven collections capture elements of order, repetition and control that aim to portray innovative three dimensional design through weave. 

Future intentions include the making of an MA where I will aspire to the further development of woven textiles in collaboration with advanced technological applications.' 

As it states in Jennifer's statement her work has a very scientific and practical meaning to her woven samples, I've chosen to write about her work in particular because there was something about her intricate style that seemed to catch my eye. 

As a designer to catch a persons eye out of an audience is a unique quality to have, this a specific quality I would like to adapt on when I'm weaving and presenting/exhibiting my own work especially come my final year. 

Whether its the petrol transparent colour theme or her well thought of exploration and experimental media, her work is something she should be very proud of. 

I adore not only her choice of colour scheme but the carefully selected yarn choice and media that give her samples a lot of definition and structure. 

A huge insperation for me, by looking at her final pieces as well as her development work, Jennifer has allowed me to gain more knowledge for the weaving world as I could now consider to think about bringing in different media to my sampling or to give my work a sense of structure, so that all my samples aren't necesserily flat. 

Her portray about her work is exactly the effect I want to be able to have on my audience next year, so that I can also catch somebody's eye.  

Camilla Thomas..

Time and Place 

 'I am interested in the longevity of textiles and how we invest time in fabric, by living with it and using it in our every day lives. The idea of a woven throw or blanket, used in our homes for wrapping around at times of tranquillity and reflection, giving us comfort and a sense of well-being, directly connects to this interest. 

I have woven samples, which are intended for manufacture into full size blankets. Some of my pieces give a 'nod' to the traditional welsh blanket, although I prefer to use the beauty of the Welsh coast to inspire the designs. The desire to capture the essence of a place, to take home a 'memento' and hold on to the memory of it, has been significant to me throughout this work. 

The qualities of natural fibres, such as wool for its warmth, softness and lightness of weight and silk for its lustre and luxurious handle, give these pieces value as textiles for use in the home and as keepsakes. 

My first blanket, designed at Penmon Point on Anglesey and manufactures by a family run mill in Lancashire, is now for sale. The proceeds from the sale of this limited edition blanket will be donated to the Air Sea Rescue on the island.' 

The reason I have chosen to write about Camilla's work is because I had a strong connection with what I saw in front of me at the degree show. Her work is very similar to the direction I would like to go in myself, not only the choice of topic and title of her work but the vibrant, stand out colours and yarn choices too. 

Her main influence has come from the North Welsh coast, a place very close to home for me, this being a huge inspiration point, as I relate my mind back to a project last year called 'Locations' here I studied very closely all about home and exactly what that meant to me, as in my opinion 'locations' meaning to locate: to be home. 

As I thoroughly enjoyed working for this project I always knew it would be something I would like to re visit in the future. 

Having now seen Camilla's work ethic and having a strong sense of knowing exactly were I want to be, as well as suggesting what my first project will be all about, Camilla has given me the confidence to grow and adapt on my own skills with the hope of achieving many things in my final year just as she has done, keeping close to mind the love of home. 

Eden Lysette Blaber..

'I am a hand weaver focusing on designing fabrics for fashion. As a designer, I respond best to visual catalysts and chaos: and a journey to morocco earlier on in the year played a huge part in the energising elements of my main collection. Paying close attention to yarn choices, colour and texture; I have visually explored these concepts through an experimental approach in order to demonstrate the impact that this experience has had on my work. 

My work has always embraced an element of embroidery, which follows on from my previous interests in intricate detail. I am continually fascinated by beading and heavily embellished fabrics, with the most intricate of details. This laborious work is something I would like to continue from time to time, it is refreshing to combine the two ways in which I work; combining my heavily woven bright chaotic samples with my profoundly time consuming and intricate bead work. For my final collection, I have fussed these ways of working to portray my working style and myself.'

The first person I have chosen to write about is Eden. Her work was one of the first stands that I saw, her particular woven pieces really stood out to me. 
As in most of my own projects I love to use thicker yarns such as wool/lambs wool I also have a slight weakness for sparkle and glitz, using all these types of yarn qualities I adore definition with a lot of intricate detail, all of these something that Eden has included in her designs. 
I can in particularly relate this back to 'Unit X' in first year, during this project I designed and wove a two meter long piece of fabric full of detail and mass amount of various yarns including that bit of sparkle, Edens qualities including her repetition of pattern have really bought some more of my own work back to mind, As I haven't done anything like that since first year its a quality I will definitely consider to re visit in my final year.    
Another element to Edens work that I picked up on is the background idea where she gained all of her inspiration from, Morocco; all of her designs show a clear link to culture as they have a strong look to each sample. Her rich choice of colour and yarn choices form a good understanding to her audience that her designs are suited for the fashion industry, influencing our minds to feel that the samples are inspired by rich countries such as China, India and Africa. 
As her samples are for the fashion world, I could personally really see Eden's work in the costume industry or as a part of the Hindu religion wardrobe.
Being inspired by Eden's work, the qualities that I will take away with me are her detail, for my final year, detail and perfection are going to be two elements I will work on the most. 
This time next year I really hope to have tackled Scott weave so that I can be at a similar standard of detailing to design as how Eden has finished her degree.