Direction

For the compassion, I experimented with my initial photos by cutting copying and manipulation the image adding the different colour blocks on the image which helps me to visualise where I might place colour on my warp.  

(Block edit photo)

Working with silk has been very different when I washed it sample it lost the elastic making it flat. 

Artist Issey Miyake creates pleated fabric pieces which are very daring she plays with the forms and structure to create unusual pieces her work doesn't stay within the boundaries inspiring me to be bold and experiment.

  

                                               (BILLOWING PLEATS | ISSEY MIYAKE) 

         (Bench image)                             (Sample 1)

Sample one is inspired from my bench image it a simple float pattern black silk and elastic I was playing with the structure so I incorporated  thick grey yarn in my weft to represent the line qualities in the image I think it works well as an experimental piece, as its unusual and bold reminds me of MIYAKES pieces however, I think the co composition of the piece needs to be more refined as the pattern seems too much if I place the middle further apart the structure might work better I plan to play with more structure in my next samples to see what I can create.

Week Sixteen and Seventeen

In a tutorial, it was suggested that I need to look at other things that pleat and fold which will enable me to have a sufficient amount to images to work with.

I then went to gather visual inspiration of things that have a pleating a shrivelling affect surprisingly it was very hard to find objects what do this I then discovered that  architecture has some interesting surface structures which is similar to the folding shapes of the kimono.

(Photos taken in town)

Origami is very popular in Japan I attempted to fold pieces paper to discover what shapes and pleats make which helps me to visualise what 3D structures I might wish to create on the loom.  

I fold the paper into a fan-like shape studying it and taking photos of the  different composition of the piece.

                                 (Photos taken folding a fan paper)

Project Pleat and Fold

Having just finished my essay about the  Geisha I was inspired by Japanese culture but particularly the pleating and folding aspect of a Japanese kimono I would like to incorporate this aspect in my own work but also combining everything I have learnt in the past projects about fabric manipulation.

During my feedback, it was suggested that my colour were a bit dull and  I  need to be bolder so for this work I  will challenge myself by working with bright colours and using a new yarn such as silk also a new loom with more shafts.

Inspired by the colours from a geisha's kimono which has very rich colours in the clothing I want wanted to incorporate those colour in my warp.

(Japanese Geisha and Obi drawing pleats and fold)

(Warp colours yarn wrap)

Context

This unit has been the most successful as I clearly related my work to my samples learning how to develop from them in the past I did not  understand how to do this I am not thinking like a student anymore but as a designer.

I believe because my samples have a variety of styles and are natural colours I think that two context would work well which is both Interior and fashion.

A mans scarfs would work well as my samples are less feminine and the pieces can quite bulky which might not suit a slim body frame. 

However when  placing my design onto a throw it looks completely different looking more homely and relaxed look. 

(Scarf  image)

(Throw image)

Week Fourteen and Fifteen

Playing with the lycra samples I enjoyed to process also my samples were starting to have same qualities from my drawings for example (sample1) is a combination of lycra wool and textured yarn also pattern structure satin and sateen to give the sample it ruffling effect, which clearly relates to the sketchiness in my drawing I believe that the piece needs to be more refined as the pattern would be too busy for a scarf,  I now understand how to relate more to my work to my samples.

                                                           (Drawing and Sample 1)

                                                (Drawing and Sample 2)

 (Sample 2) is one of my most successful samples as captured the pleating effect in my mushroom  image perfectly  I refined my samples by simplifying designs repeating the one or two patterns in the warp.

By adding moe hair helped me to capture the reflection of light on the piece this give the impression that there is light is shining on it. 

If I were to improve my pieces I would have been bolder with my colour as are all my neutral something I will try to improve on in my next unit.

Project three Forms and Structures

while experimenting with  Lycra at first I struggled to understand how to get a 3D effect in my samples my first few samples were not successful I had to experiment with the different tensions when pulling. One negative aspect of using this method is you cant see the structure until you cut off which has a negative impact on the tension on your loom.

Upon reflection, I believe live brief help me to understand you always need to try new things such as wool, at first I did not wish to use it but after using wool its help to feed my other projects.




















                                                     (yarn wraps panting and drawing)

In the second week, I was  thinking about my what how I might 
relate those qualities in my drawing to my samples my drawings are very textural so I bought some yarns from Linton tweeds which would best reflect those qualities. buying your own yarns helps me to appreciate materials and to be less wasteful with my yarn.

I was inspired by textured weave Lesley suggested that i look at the at the books in the weave room I discovered some high twist samples which really related to my rock image helping me to consider how I might develop my sample to create a structure.

                                                        (Drawing photo and inspiration)

Week Ten and Eleven

During my second group presentation it was not as scary because I knew what to expect this time although, I do not like presentations I believe that they are helping me so much with my confidence and I get a little better each time I do it also the feedback is always helpful giving me another person perspective on my work. 

When washing my samples I discovered that wool has an interesting shrinking feature some of my weave structures would portray different qualities once washed. I would like to explore this fabric manipulation further in my next unit.

Context 

I believe that the context of my pieces best reflects the qualities of a scarf. When holding my sample they feel warm and cosy reminding me of something you might like to wear in winter.

Although my samples were not to my own taste a was impressed to see a visual representation of my piece on a model.

                                      

                                                    (Visualisations of samples on a scarf)

While showing my work to Wallace and Sewell, there were many aspects I had to consider such as the way I wanted to present myself and my samples. I personally was nervous, as I have never presented work to a real company before but was excited to have a chance to experience what it would be like to present my work for a job, in the design world though, I did not get chosen for the placement I believe that experiencing rejection is just as important because it prepares you for future jobs and not to take it personally. In contrast, the live briefs helped me to think and understand the design industry and what is expected of a person wishing to pursue a career.

For my second self-initiated project, I reflected back to what I have learnt during my previous projects. I began by collecting new imagery, however, I still wanted to work within the theme natural forms and the manipulation of my samples as I felt my work could be taken further but was unsure how I would achieve this. In the live brief, I discovered that wool, when washed, has a great shrinking quality making it sometimes changed the way my pattern structures looked I decided that wool would be perfect for my warp.

Which I decided that I would like to use a much more neutral colour pallet is inspired from my rock photography which enables me to have a diverse range of samples in my portfolio.

(Photograph of rocks)

When drawing from my images I was struggling to understand how I might develop my work further towards my samples my tutor Lesley suggested in a group tutorial “I really need to think about my yarn choices” as a high twist yarn such as Moe hair, wool and elastic lycra will give my samples a 3D effect.

German weaver Andreas Moeller plays with the structure within his pieces his work by keeping his work is simple as he repeats one or two structures throughout his samples.  

Moeller uses methods such as elastic pleating double cloth to create the pieces his work has inspired me helping me to understand you can create a wide range of 3D structures by experimenting.

                                                          (Andreas Moeller Scarf)