websites

 http://www.ecouterre.com/
 http://www.refashionable.com/blog/
http://www.peopletree.co.uk/content/FOLKprofile.php
http://textilefutures.co.uk/
http://www.collaborativeconsumption.com/
http://www.tedresearch.net/
http://antenna.sciencemuseum.org.uk/trashfashion/
http://www.aadip9.net/erandi/2007/12/
http://ethicaltextile.blogspot.com
http://www.alltheluckintheworld.nl/en/home.php
http://www.fiberarts.com/article_archive/reviews/group/throughthesurface.asp
http://www.guidetoartschools.com/tips-and-tools/print-design-blogs

a week left.

ararara. for this three week recycling project, i only have a week left... and most of my work to do...

today we had a really useful seminar with les. i realise that i must focus and refine my fabric samples now. so i have chosen the following techniques to use in my developing work:

LAYERING; collage and applique.
FOLDING; pleats, loops, create interesting shapes.
STITCHING; embellishing and adding texture.

i will, of course, be using my recycled materials - fabrics, clothes and pillow cases from the many different charity shops i've visited in the last week. i don't, however, know where this project is heading yet, what context i will be focusing on etc, so i must keep an open mind.

better start sampling.

what can you do with an old pillow case...?

quite a lot actually..! ere is the textile wall organiser i made out of an old pillow case and fabric.
i'm pretty chuffed with it :)

simply arrange fabric square onto the case and stitch.

attach an old trouser hanger at the top to hang it up.

i made tubes to hold my knitting needles so they don't fall out everywhere.

lace is a great trim as you can attach pins/earrings/anything onto it as an organiser.

initial fabric manipulation samples.

here are a few of the samples i've been making this week. mostly small in scale and focusing on folds, layers, stitch, texture, pleats, knots and cut outs.

the last week.

has been an independent study week. we had the initial task to complete and to experiment.

i worked my way through the manipulation list and created a file of my samples. i figured that if i sampled a number of different manipulation techniques it will be easier for my to extend this way of working later on (working on larger bits of fabric etc) and it will be easier for me to push ideas further.
i am happy with what i've produced in a week, i've actually made my work look quite professional! which is new for me. it's normally quite scruffy in terms of presentation. but i have mounted my samples on nice thick paper, labeled them and placed them in a file. having these samples for reference will always be useful so it's best to make them look good the first time around.
i have mainly been experimenting with old fabrics and a dress i brought a few weeks ago and regretted it. so i've cut it up :) it is a netty fabric with printed horses on it.

NEW PROJECT: recycling and reinvention.

i am so excited about this project. this is exactly what i enjoy. reduce, reuse, recycle. being sustainable in my practise. i'm such a hippy at heart. that's my mother influence. i've done a similar project before, but this is much more exciting because my skills have developed sooo much in the last few months.

i really want to print in the next few weeks. and do lots of stitching till my thumb hurts.

manipulation techniques.

we got our new project today. we had an afternoon seminar with jill and the task was to think of all the ways we can manipulate fabric to create samples. this is too help us with the task next week...

APPLIQUE

REVERSE APPLIQUE (FAUX CHENILE)

WELDING

LAYERING

RUBBING

SAND BLAST

RIPPING

FELTING

MELTING

EMBROIDERING

EMBELLISHING

KNIT

WEAVE

WRAPPING

POUND

BLEACH

NUNO FELTING

MACRAME/SEMI MACRAME

PRINTING       

WEAVE               

SOLDERING             

KNITTING              

AGEING

TIE DYE                    

MARBLING           

HEAT PRESS          

MACHINE             

EXPERIMENT

DIRECT DYE              

FOLDING              

SPINNING              

EXPLORE

DEVORE                   

LADDERING          

FELTING                  

CROCHET              

DISCOVER

DISCHARGE              

ORIGAMI             

TUCKING                

MOUNTING           

REINVENT

INDIAN INK             

DISTRESSING       

SHRINKING            

SOURCE

HEAT TRANSFER        

SANDING             

BURNING               

BLUNT NEEDLE      

FIND

STAINING                 

RIP                      

SLASHING                 

SUBVERT

STENCILLING             

TEAR                    

STARCHING            

STITCH                   

IT SKILLS PHOTOSHOP

FLOCKING                

PULP                    

BOILING                

HAND-MACHINE   

PHOTOGRAPH

FOILING                    

WAXING              

WASHING              

EMBELLISH            

PHOTOCOPYING

DISSOLVING            

IRONING               

FRAY                      

LAYERING

BLEACHING             

MELTING              

CONSTRUCT           

SHAPING

ba2, project 2, breif.

This project is about the creative re-invention, re-cycling and up-cycling of materials.
You will be set a task and asked to select a theme or concept as a starting point for your visual research and investigation. The task is aimed at encouraging experimental thinking and making, whilst helping you to develop research skills, your visual language and workshop skills and will help you to more clearly identify your particular area of interest. I have no idea what my theme should be yet... i have been making things from pillow cases... what can you do with a pillow case? hahah.

You will be asked to explore how the ordinary can become extraordinary and beautiful through your re-cycled materials manipulation.
This project requires you to build on and develop the skills you have acquired in previous projects. I will be focusing on stitch and print. They are what i'm most passionate in and enjoy the most.
You will explore a range of different processes including construction / deconstruction / reconstruction through drawing, photography and material manipulation. You will be encouraged to extend your outside influences and are required to look for inspiration from historical and contemporary sources including designers, artists, painters, illustrators etc.

This project addresses the key areas of study as follows:
Studio Practice: For this project you will be asked to select a concept/theme to inform your visual research and the materials and methods of working. You will be encouraged to source materials and information from outside of the University College. You will be involved in building on and developing your practical skills in textile workshops of your choice including knit, weave, stitch, print, digital practices and related workshops and encouraged to make effective use of the studio space. Your experimental sampling and documentation of workshop practice forms part of the research and evidences an engagement with the textile workshops in the exploration of your chosen themes.

Personal Development and Planning: You will continue to use your reflective journal to document your learning and you will be supported in your learning with a group session where you consider different aspects of reflective practice. This blog is where i mainly reflect my work, i do write in my sketch books - but this is much easier to summarise and read again and again.