Friday 28 February 2014

CHAPTER 11 FURTHER DESIGN EXERCISES

                      Patterns from paper strips

Strips of my plain and printed papers arranged in lines with different tonal strengths. These were subsequently cut up to form patterns. There are some great designs here that I intend to translate into fabric samples.  

11a to 11c - my paper strips with different tonal strengths




11d to 11i-  patterns made by cutting up the strips and rearranging them into different designs

11e
11f
11g
11h
11i


Stitched fabric samples based on my paper designs. 
(It is good to be working with fabric again after all the paper cutting!!!)

Stage A
11 j - Strips of my purchased fabrics stitched into lines to make squares with different tonal strengths.



11k- I cut the above squares at an angle and made the this tonal sample


 11l- another sample made from the cut squares, this time with some forward facing seams. The front and reverse sides are shown 



11m- in this sample many lines of machine embroidery were added to one of my printed fabric, the lines of machine embroidery on this sample give it a textured/sculptural feel, almost like smocking


 11n- The multiple lines of stitching on this sample emphasize my zebra skin inspired print



11o-   In the follow three samples plain and printed fabrics were cut up in different ways, stitched together and decorated with  machine embroidery

  -parallel lines of stitching


- diagonal lines of stitching


- diagonal, vertical and horizontal stitching



11p-  in this sample more of my animal print fabrics were cut into 'wedge' shapes, stitched together  then top stitched to make a sample inspired by animal skins. (I love this sample!)



11q- In this sample the forward facing seams are a decorative feature. The prints on the black and white fabrics were inspired by animal markings. I like the frayed seams against the black background


11r -  In these three samples I started with one of my printed fabrics plus a plain fabric decorated with lines of machine stitching. They were both cut into bias strips and then stitched together to give two samples of bias stripe fabric. Subsequently I cut these samples again, this time vertically and stitched them into one large sample

- final sample

11s- this sample was made from four samples made in the 'seminole' chapter, I added more lines of decorative stitching, ( as suggested in my feedback) before making them into one large sample


11t- the following four images are an experiment. I was attempting to achieve a 'zebra' stripe effect by using curved seams. It proved difficult to get the seams to lie flat, I eventually top stitched the seams. I don't feel this sample is successful. Perhaps reverse applique would have been better to achieve the effect I had in mind? Have you any further suggestions?










Stage b- making one large sample from my printed and decorated fabrics

11u- my initial sample made from my printed fabrics decorated with stitching and oddments of ribbon and braid



11v- my sample cut into three sections using the Fibonnacci sequence, 34cm - 21cm - 13cm


11w- the following three images show the largest section cut into three sections, restitched and then cut again several times and restitched




11x- the middle section cut and re-stitched several times with additional machine stitch decoration.


 11y- the smallest section with additional machine stitch decoration

11z- the final sample with all three sections stitched together to give one large, decorated fabric sample




Reflections- I loved this Chapter, it was a voyage of discovery. At first I was very reluctant to keep cutting thinking that I might 'spoil' my work, but the transformations produced were fascinating. But I still have one 'hang up', I cannot get to like or appreciate forward facing seams!! The exception is my sample 11q above with the frayed edges against the black background. I have ideas on ways to develop this sample in the next Chapter.






Thursday 6 February 2014

CHAPTER 10 PIECING - A METHOD OF CUTTING AND SEAMING

10a- black and white paper strips glued together


10b to 10e- above paper strip cut into pieces and arranged in a sequence of different patterns






10f- black and white fabric strips, divided into Fabonnacci sequence 1-2-3 and the smallest section cut off and kept

10g and 10h- the larger section with three parallel cuts, rearranged and seamed together. Front and back shown
10h


10i to 10j- three more parallel cuts made in above piece, rearranged and stitched again



10k- the above sample cut into two pieces using Fibonnacci sequence 2-3. The smaller section retained

10l to 10n- the larger section above with three more parallel cuts, then stitched again




10m to 10o- the above sample and the two retained pieces stitched together to make one sample





My Reflections.
Another interesting design technique in this chapter, the final sample has some interesting shapes and the reverse is quite textured and sculptural