Intentions

Intentions - Samples - Water Soluble Fabric

After using acetate to create samples. I decided to try experimenting with the clear fabric idea. I thought of using water soluble fabric, such as 'romeo' I had used this before and it had always worked really well. I really like the way these samples have come out. However I did find them quite time consuming as you have to make sure your lines are very thick and all join together, otherwise the sample will fall apart.

My favourite thing about these samples are the way you can distort them as much or as little as you wish. With this sample I tried to keep it as similar to the drawing as possible.

I would quite like to take this sample idea further by loosing the thread so that it unravels. I also like the idea of layering the different samples together to create a distorted effect. 

Intentions

Intentions - Samples - Acetate 

After becoming stuck at a certain point in my brief, I decided to look back over the work that I have already done to try and find my way. The thing I liked the most and what was brought up in my tutorial was the idea of using open weave or sheer fabric to create drawings on. I liked this idea as I always prefer the back of samples to the front and this way, using sheer/transparent fabric shows both at the same time. I order lots of different examples of sheer fabrics online, so for the time being I decided to experiment with what I had to hand. I discovered that you could use acetate to stitch on, however there was a risk of it snapping my machine needle or it ripping very easily. I decided to choose this image of St Paul's Cathedral as it is one of London's most iconic landmarks. I created three different samples, each one starting off with a simple black thread drawing. I then left one empty, one with some machine embroidery onto and then another with some hand embroidery. Each one I felt was very plain and empty, I left them to one side to think about it and placed them all onto of one another. This sparked a moment for me. I really liked the layers all mixing together to crete one sample. I think this relates to my brief perfectly as, when flicking through my visual research the amount of drawings/photographs that get created of St Paul's Cathedral each day,

Intentions

Intentions - Samples - Things Going Wrong

This week, 14th October 2013, has been a very unproductive week for me. I have been suffering from a very bad case of a cold. Unfortunately, this meant that I could not attend the Photoshop workshop. This is something I really with that I had gone to as I have never really been taught the proper way to use photoshop and I think I could have created some really interesting ideas.

I also have become a bit stuck with my samples as well. I feel like i'm jarred at a certain point in my brief and just need something to push me forward. The sample above is an experiment that I did with machine drawing onto white velvet. I think this sample sums up the bad week that I have been having. The sample is all wrong, the fabric kept becoming stuck in the machine, the thread sunk right into the fibres and became almost unnoticeable and the fabric choice is completely unrelated to my brief and wrong. 

I have decided to re-look through all my visual research and tutorial feedbacks to see if I can have a spark of creativity again. 

Intentions

Intentions - Drawing Workshops - Experiments

                                                              Make a drawing on top layers.

                             Make a drawing with your eyes shut.                         Make a drawing on top of another drawing. 

                                                                  Mark-making.                                  Make a drawing using a unrelated colour. 

These drawings are some that I carried on from the drawing workshop at home. I tried to experiment with some of the techniques that Lynn discussed in the tutorial. These are some of the outcomes. I really like this way of drawing as it makes me feel a little more loose with my work. I feel like m drawings don't have to be exactly copies of what i'm trying to draw. Instead it's about gathering as much information as possible. This is a good technique that I would like to carry on throughout other future projects. 

Intentions

Intentions Brief - Samples

These are two samples that I was testing out. I was wondering what would happen if you used black thread on black fabric and then a light coloured thread on dark fabric (rather than the white fabric and black thread that I have been using) I really like the black on black sample as you have to look really closely at the stitches. It also forces you to feel the fabric in order to under stand what it is. I feel that this relates to my brief about London and the image I have used is just of a block of flats with offices behind them, something that the tourists wouldn't even bother to look at. I really like this idea and would quite like to experiment by starting with a layer of dark thread and then going lighter and lighter with a different image each time. I feel that the grey thread one, does not have the same effect as the black one as it looks quite plain and boring. 

Intentions

Intentions Brief - Workshops - Faggoter and Big Bernina - 17th October 2013

Faggoter Machine

This first sample is from the Faggoter machine. This machine creates a join in fabrics, the seam almost interlocks the threads and creates a sort of chain pattern. To use this machine you need two separate pieces of fabric in order to connect them together, it does not work on the same piece. When using this machine you have to use very stable fabrics, if unstable add a backing fabric to it. It also needs to have a very stable and strong thread as well as it it broken very easily. I found this machine very interesting to learn how to use however what it can do is very limited. I think that it is a good thing to know how to use though as you never know when you are going to need it. 

Big Bernina 

The Big Bernina machine creates a zig-zag stitch that can vary in width. When using it you need, just the faggoter machine and very strong fabric, or a backing fabric if weak. I found this machine very interesting and could see it fitting into my brief nicely. The Big Bernina is good for creating repeat patterns as well.

I created a little guide on how to thread up the machine; 

1. Connect the thread to the stand going from back to front, do not let your thread get tangled.

2. Thread through both holes of the large pin onto of the machine, again going top then bottom.

3. Take the thread through the guide hole above the tension ring.

4. Wrap round underneath the right tension ring.

5. Take the thread down towards the disc underneath and over the small wire spring.

6. Take it up through the guide hole of the lever.

7. Take the thread down towards the needle and pass it behind the guide pin.

8. Then through the guide at the front.

9. Finally, thread the needle, making sure there is no other threads in the way or blocking the bobbin. 

Intentions

 Intentions Brief - Samples 

These are some samples that I created after having a tutorial with Lynn. I took her advice and tried to experiment by using different fabrics. I decided to use some linen scrim as during the first year, I really liked this fabric as you could easily do hand stitch on it and it has quite an open weave. I still stuck to the same technique as my last samples by using a simple black out-line. I again felt that these were a little plain so I decided to add some hand stitch onto. I chose to do one with bright colours thats stood out and then one with colour that were quite nature and that blended with the fabric. I decided to use the bright colours on the image of the o2 Arena as its very well known, bright and full of lights whereas as a contrast I decided to use the natural colours on a image of a bridge that goes over the thames as it's quite un-noticed with tourists and not many people pay attention to the lesser known things in London. I really like how these have turned out, however I did find it a bit hard to do machine embroidery on the fabric as it is quite loose and very easy to loose control of it.