onwards and upwards....

I have spent this evening doing some more contextual research. I thought it would be a good idea to look at recent graduates from textiles and fashion design to see how they record the progression of their work and how they explain their themes to a wider audience. I can at times fall into the trap of assuming people are going to understand my project straight away, the more familiar I get with my work and development the easier it is to become complacent. So I thought it was time for a little more research, time away from the comforts of my own work. Quickly into doing my research I came across a graduate from De Montfort Uni in 2009 - her name is Beatrice K Newman, and her work is amazing. Instantly I was drawn to her work through her use of decorative patterns and luxury fabric. It is really interesting for me to see how different students explore ideas, how one single idea can lead to a collection of fabrics or garments. Mostly it is down to me being nosey, but I really could look through sketchbooks and samples all day long.

Here are some images of the wonderful works of Beatrice Newman.

In regards to my own work things are going ok at the moment. I have just had another 3 metres of jacquards designs woven, they are sitting happily in a box, steamed, pressed and interlocked. Although I have got a fair bit of fabric for this project I still feel asthough there is a lot more to explore. I want to translate texture through my jacquard, just like I have done in my velvet digital prints. I think a stint in the sketchbook and another moodboard could trigger and few more ideas. So off I shall go, more prep is the key.

I will be posting photographsthis week, probably Friday. I think I'm going to lay everything out that I've done so far and see whether everything "flows", this should hopefully allow me to see major points that need addressing to make sure I am not over looking anything significant. So until Friday, bye for now.

x

magic...

Here are a couple of photographs, not of the best quality... but just a quick snap to show my fabric samples so far. I will be getting them cut, finished an stitched tomorrow, but here they are fresh off the loom.

The painting which has inspired the weave sample.

This image is of a design im working on at the moment, this sample is a metre long, I have used three different colours just to test how the structures turn out. My final piece - which I am getting woven off tomorrow and the following week will be one block in purple, and the other mixing olive green, damson and ecru.

I'm really happy with this sample, I usually work with decorative patterns so it's been nice working on a larger scale and with a much more linear effect.

This sample is 2 metres long, broken into 3 different samples, going from top to bottom using a navy wool, then onto a lighter blue cotton and the last strip (my favourite) in a stone coloured silk. Below is a close up of the pattern I have had woven. I think this has worked pretty well.

Overall, a good day.

enjoy

x

what a "carre" on....

Today was a relatively good day, I spent most of my time doing some sketches and pattern work in my sketchbook, ready to put into point carre. The sooner these designs are put into point carre the more relaxed I can feel as I know I'm one stage closer to seeing some fabrics.

Just a quick glimpse of what I have done today... going from my original pattern/painting work through to CAD work. I am getting this pattern woven off tomorrow, so I'll be sure to share some photographs of the sample once it's complete.

enjoy

x

Monday, Monday...

So, much to my surprise I have had a pretty pleasant Monday. A cliche it may be, but Monday's really are the bluest of all days... usually. But today, I have felt inspired, dare I say excited about my project at uni. Yes I am of course still filled with fright and fear about the time that is ticking away far faster than I had imagined, but I am excited to reach the end.

This is probably down to the fact that I have found a chair frame to use for my final piece in my degree show, I've managed to buy it for a great price, and with a lick of gold paint (tasteful not tacky...of course) and my own fabric upholstered onto it, it should work out pretty well.

Here is a picture of the chair I will be using - bare in mind the fabric is not my own. Im going to paint the frame an antique gold and possibly sand it down a little to really make it look a little aged. So hopefully with the addition of my own fabric and my devored velvet work it should look as pretty as a picture.

At the moment, I am designing some patterns to put into Point Carre so I can get tester strips woven off on the power loom. I am concentrating on decorative patterns, which I've found through my visual research into theatre interiors and decorative architecture. A company that has inspired me remarkably is Lewis & Wood. Directly inspired in many cases by the arts an crafts movement, many of their wallpapers and fabrics are a flury with patterns reminiscent of A.H Mackmurdo. They are however given an up to date twist through their colour combinations and styling. Lewis & Wood - a company that I will never bore of looking at. Here are some of the images that have inspired me lately....

enjoy

x

Happy Sunday...

The last few weeks have been some of the most stressful and testing weeks I've had at uni, third year really is one big slab of pressure on my shoulders. But it's not all doom and gloom, the last few days have been a little less hectic, I'm now off loom and working on some sketchbook and jacqaurd designs which will be getting woven off on Tuesday which is exciting. I'll be sure to put some photographs up of my jacqaurds once they have all been finished and hemmed nicely.

But enough about the trials and tribulations of third year, I have came across a jewellery designer that I completely and utterly adore. Yes the prices are very high and very out of my price range, but I can't help but look at the pieces and wonder whether I need one to take pride of place in my jewellery box. The jewellery designer in question is Sabrina Dehoff, her key pieces are thick cord bracelets adorned with crystals and gems... her colour palette, the prettiest shades of putty, duck egg blue and dusty pinks and lilacs. Perfect for spring :) Here are two of my favourite pieces.

Enjoy the delights of Sabrina's work and of course, Happy Sunday...

x

Happy Sunday...

This image is from one of my favourite Etsy photographers, alice b. gardens. Each of her prints are full of clean, pastel shades and hues, they are the perfect spring time visual. This image fits nicely with this lovely Sunday. Bright and sunny... the spring time seems to be upon us. This has been my mood enhancer today, I really hope it carries on throughout the week as it seems to make the days tasks (which seem to be getting bigger and harder to manage as the weeks go on) so much easier to handle.

Hope you are all having a nice and bright Sunday afternoon.

x