Monday 19 December 2011

Complex samples

Before doing fabric samples I reviewed previous chapters and samples to select  a variety of patterns that were not too busy...saved in a word document I was unable to put onto blog.  
To aid the process a selection of paper samples were made in the hope that this would clarify how I would undertake the fabric samples.  Notes and comments were made as to what pleased or jarred.  Strangely when taking note of these comments while working on the fabric samples even more ideas came to mind as the choice of fabric had bearing on finished item!  So much for sticking to a plan...  there's always the next three chapters!!!
Ref 25 Paper samples i - iv                 Ref 25 Fabric samples i - iv
                            Ref 25 Paper samples  v-vii                   Ref 25 Fabric samples  vi-vii          Ref 25 paper and fabric viii


Ref 25 Paper and fabric ix


Friday 2 December 2011

Translating design

Working five designs samples the aim was to experiment with a variety of options in fabric and stitch and hopefully learn of the foibles that each brought to the translation.  While referencing back to the previous paper samples a twist was given so that none of the translations set out to be an exact replica.  Early on in the process I realised my 10cm squares of fabric needed to be larger as the paper patterns based on a 10 cm square did not fit easily on the fabric, particularly if I wanted to twist designs around the axis.  


Ref 24a: Using 22b as a source and maintaining three layers I reversed the top layer fabric and placed yellow silk on the first layer.  Perle thread was used for top layer and thin cotton thread on first ...in both instances a running stitch was used as an outline stitch.
Ref 24b: Using 19c as a source five layers were used. A base layer of calico, two layers of gold organza, purple stamp printed silk  and green stamp printed sateen. A chain stitch in rayon was used and a cross stitch with metallic thread. Top layer was twisted to lay parallel to base layer and negative shapes were selected.


Ref 24c: Using 19e as a source this sample used four layers, base layer purchase dyed calico, hand dyed muslin, muslin mop and purchased printed cotton.  A stem stitch in a variegated polyester thread and double row running stitch in crochet cotton were used.  I had previously considered changing the positioning of the top layer to run on the horizontal plane but forgot to enlarge the pattern and tacking ...for another chapter!!!
Ref 24d: Using 19b I enlarged the opening of the top layer to reveal more of the first layer.  coloured calico was used as base, silk as first layer and hand dyed calico as top layer  Using chain stitch to emphasis edging perle was used on top layer and rayon on first layer.  A variegated perle thread was run through the middle of the first layer and appeared in sequence on top layer.


Ref 24e:  As a follow up to the ideas of asymmetric design I played with the ideas inspired by 22a.  Using a running stitch throughout a variegated perle and two twisted variegated polyester threads were used.  Five layers were used, coloured calico, hand dyed muslin, two colour dyed mops and a purchased dyed cotton.