Final Degree Show

All my work needed to be put up in my space by 6pm today so... here is a photo of my final show. After lots of hard work and filling holes I have decided to keep it simple with plenty of whit space to really show off my fabrics, and only dressing the space with simple twigs and a interesting log.

Still Working Progress - Final Degree Show

After a  long day, I have got all my racks in position and hooks up. So now I need to print labels for my hooks and tidy up all my fabrics, and then I think its pretty much done...hopefully!

 racks put up 

 more movement with the larger samples 

 getting there but still more work todo

 nearly done, just needs cleaning and dressing

Starting to put up my show

After seeing my space today, I will definitely use a variation of hooks and racks to show of my fabrics. i will keep the whole display very simple. So it will probably be better explained through pictures so here we go... 

 getting my brother to help but up the hooks for the larger samples

 just experimenting with the final positions of the large samples 

 ideas for my smaller samples using the racks to hold my samples rather than folding them and using them as shelves 

 different ideas for how to position the fabrics 

 using the different colour ways to help display the fabrics 

 

Ideas for Putting Up Final Show

With Uni  being closed over the bank holiday I have been doing abit more research on how I want to display my work I have found 2 displays I like, but I think I will probably stick to the original plan with little hooks and shelves.

Finishing the Cotton Warp

Now this warp is finished I can finally get on with putting up my show. As I previously said i have kept all my samples 'smoother' giving a break form all the different textures, however I have been more experimental with the weave patterns and even created my own patterns.

Cotton Samples

This week I have only managed to get 2 samples done hopefully ill get another one done today! I am really pleased with results tho, I think that having some simpler samples really enhances my over all collection, both of them are using a 4/4 twill and just playing with proportions of colours.

Next Warp

This week I have finished my wool warp on the textel and have got my next warp wrapped and threaded this warp is really nice its one colour which is a lime green cotton from John Smedleys so this will be really nice to work with and hopefully next week ill make a good start on some samples. My aim is to create some simpler fabrics to give the eye a break in with in the rest of my collection, i will still use textures but maybe twills and sateens for a smoother finish.

hand samples

Once again I have had a good week after getting my head around the Texel keyboard Monday and Tuesday  I have 3 samples that I really like. I will defiantly be threading up again to carry on, it has completely changed my mind on hand looms and have even enjoyed the process which really surprised me. I have designed my own patters so these samples feel really personal in a strange way. I have stuck to a similar colour pallet but added a pop of lime which really brightens up the samples and gives them a dynamic edge.

Next week my aim is to finish this warp on my texel and try and get some more Jacquards done. I also have my last statement of practice check up with Rhiannon, so I will post that also when it has been checked.

finally threaded up

After a long week of getting the right yarns for my warp and the tedious job of threading the loom it is finally done! I have used similar colours to my jacquard fabrics to keep the collection look coherent. I have used 3 different colours, a forest green (wool mix), duck egg blue (acrylic wool mix), and a hessian coloured yarn I have treaded it as I said before in blocks so this should look really interesting when I finally get weaving.

1st Hand Loom Warp 

hand loom

As this is the first official teach week after the Easter break I have discussed with my tutor the problem of me shrinking my fabrics and she agrees that it has changed the design dramatically but thinks that it has made a actual improvement and should defiantly be included in my final collection which has made me feel a lot more confident that I haven't got to start all over again. Over the next week my aim is to thread up a hand loom and make a start on hand samples, these will allow me to create different samples and hopefully be a bit more experimental with different patterns, I will be threading a 24 shaft texel loom in a 1-12 and then 13-24 blocks to give me squares similar to my jacquard fabrics. I am really hoping that the samples will be more successful that previous attempts on hand looms.

bit of a nightmare

After being excited about my final fabrics, I have washed them and unfortunately I have shrunk them, the wool that I have used has felted int the washing machine so has completely changed the design. However I will still use these in my final collection I will just try and weave some more fabric if possible I will have to speak to my tutor.

My sketchbook work is going well though I have visited a few more places to get more research and my market research book is up to date which is progress. I have also been gathering ideas for how to set up my final show as I dont want to leave that till the last min if I need to gather props ect.

final samples

I have had a really productive week this week, I have woven some of my final fabrics I am really pleased with the results I have woven 1 meter of each different design! I will hang these on the corner to give the illusion of a bigger piece. I am going to start look for different trims just to give them a more professional finish.

Over the Easter break I am going to focus mainly on my sketchbook work and my market research as that has been slightly neglected recently and also my Statement of Practise. My aim is to fill on sketchbook with visual research and then compile and refine my market research and mount this into a photo album to give a professional finish. I need to work on my statement of practice over easter also after a recent meeting with Rihannon I have more of a idea of what I am actually meant to be writing about.

first samples

After creating lots of designs on Jacquard Designer I have now woven them off and I am really pleased with the results, however I have run out of some of the yarns that I originally wanted to use in my final designs so I will have to go back and try and find either similar colours or something that will fit in my project with out to much alteration.

I will was and press my samples then post a picture of them.

moving on

This will hopefully give my samples shadows and highlights, which will also emphasis the different textures that will be created. Having been in the studio this week I have made a start on my yarn selections, I will be using a variation of cottons and wool. I will try and keep this whole project natural so it makes sense to try and use natural yarns too, this will also add a warmth and cosy feeling to the fabrics.

I have started creating some jacquard designs using geometric shapes and hand drawing to create textures, the jacquard is actually threaded to my advantage at this point as the yarn that it is threaded with is a woolen mix and it also has black and white ends on the warm so this will really give my samples the depth and weight I was looking for especially as I have now decided to create fabrics for blankets, throws and cushion.

Visual Research

After a busy week visiting numerous places such as Elvaston Castle, Bluebell Woods and Calke Abbey I have made a start in my sketchbook I am already feeling very positive about the change in my project.
Whilst looking so closely at tree bark I have really started to notice the, different textures and colours in the trees, I think this is definitely something I will look at in my project. My sketchbook work so far has been interesting using different materials to create different marks and textures rather than drawing the stereotypical tree.
I will carry on my visual research but I now feel I need to start looking at different colours that can be used in this project, using both the actual tree colours and also what will be on trend for spring summer 2013. 

changing and developing...

After the recent discussion with my tutors, I have decided to redirect my project. I have chosen to look at woodland and more specifically wood bark. With these changes being made I have started a new sketchbook so will have a busy week gaining visual research, I will do this by visiting national trust parks and just generally keeping my camera with me whilst I am on my travels.