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.