I have three favourite textile artists, they all inspire me in various ways!
Kaffe Fassett
Kaffe Fassett was born in San Francisco in 1937. When he was 19, Kaffe won scholarship to the Museum Of Fine Arts School in Boston, but left after 3 months to paint in London. He settled in England in 1964.
His work is a great inspiration to me, his mixture of colours are wonderful and rich.
Fassett's work is with Fabrics, Needlepoint, Mosaic, Patchwork, Knitting, Painting & Rugs. He tries to convey to you that a sense of colour is not something you automatically know about; you discover and rediscover its secrets by playing with it and, above all, by constantly looking....
Fassett was trained as an artist, his paintings have been shown and collected in London, New York and San Francisco over many years. His murals, too, feature in many homes and commercial enterprises.
Flowers and Foliage - He says " For sheer variety the world of flowers and leaves has few rivals for the decorative artist. From the subtlest washy tones and shapes to vibrant, full blown forms, this theme has fed the imagination of artisans in every part of the world since humans first started to embellish their surroundings. Whether depicted in simple, childlike forms or in the most refined realism, flowers rarely fail to captivate the viewer"
Kaffe ventured into the world of colourful yarn on a visit to a Scottish wool mill with fashion designer Bill Gibb. Inspired by the colours in the landscape, Kaffe was thrilled to find the same colours in yarns. He bought 20 colours of Shetland wool and some knitting needles, and on the train back to London a fellow passenger taught him how to knit. His first design appeared as a full page spread in Vogue Knitted magazine.
Kaffe's unique sense of colour and drive to create, combined with his desire to encourage others, has led to his reputation as a guru in the world of colour and textiles.
www.kaffefassett.com
Jilli Blackwood
Jilli Blackwood is an internationally known textile designer and artist. Since graduating from Glasgow School of Art in 1986 with a 1st class honours degree in Art & Design, her work has been exhibited extensively, and she is represented in many prestigious museum, corporate, and private collections worldwide.
Her work with textiles ranges from: clothing and accessories through bespoke home furnishings to fine art wall hangings. She also paints in oil, producing vivid abstract paintings, beautiful, vibrant, simmering surfaces replete with hidden meaning.
Jilli is renowned for her embroidery techniques and for combining different fabrics such as silk, leather, and linen to create a colourful, sensual, three-dimensional surface. All fabrics are hand dyed in an inspiration process of artistic alchemy. She also weaves her own fabrics on a 24 inch Harris loom.
Her work is truly inspirational (especially Art to Wear), her work breaks down the barrier between craft and art.
www.jilliblackwood.com
Yoshiko Jinzenji
Yoshiko Jinzenji is an internationally known weaver, dyer, fabric artist, teacher and quilter, and she has many years of experience in these techniques. Her work seems connected by simplicity and timelessness, I love how she plays with shapes, and colour on a field of white fabric and stitching. I am also intrigued by her use of hand stitching and applique.
Yoshiko lives and works in Japan and in Bali. Her quilts are straight to the point and simple. They are spiritual and the attention to detail really stands out.
www.yoshikoquilt.com
How do you view textile art? Do you think about it in the same way that you would look at a painting or a piece of sculpture? How far do you feel it has become accepted as a medium for fine art by the art establishment?
When I have looked at research it has brought to light that textile art has become very popular, it's certain that it has given a new twist in the art world and I really like it.When I started this course I would have said painting and a piece of sculpture were totally separate arts and different to textile art, but after eight months of this course and looking at objects and items differently It has changed my mind completely. Textile art is definitely linked to painting and sculpture without doubt!
I think it has become accepted by the art establishment because of the comments and work which have come to light surfing the Internet.
Sunday, 19 February 2012
Thursday, 9 February 2012
Part Three - Project 7 Your Theme Book
My theme book is called "MY GARDENER'S DELIGHTS" because I love my garden and grow all kinds of flowers, also I have lots of friends who have very unusual gardens and flowers and they allow me to go and take photographs.
Part Three - Reflective Commentory
"Manipulating Fabric (Project6)"
I really enjoyed this section, playing around with different types of material. It was great fun sorting my fabric out, something that needed to be done for a long time!
I wasn't that sure if I had got the developing idea correct, I tried to be different with the dog rag. I also loved how the local tarn came out, I felt it was lively with the black net over the blue sea.
"Applied Fabric Techniques (Stage 3)"
The Organza bonded to Calico with Angelina ironed on top really surprised me because I had not done anything like this before (another learning curve). It's great trying out new things, the bunch of flowers didn't look anything like my drawing so at first I was disappointed, but I think it's learned me a lesson to let go of being too regimented. I have been finding it hard to let go from the "neat & tidy" approach but I think I have turned a corner on this (I hope!). I do like the flower design more now I've got used to it.
Raised And Structured (Stage 4)
I love this section, the enjoyment I had experimenting with Cut back applique, Bubble fabric, Moulding was great even though it was all new to me. They were all so different how the finished project came together especially moulding the Hessian it amazed me how firm it dried.
The Hollyhocks were a big challenge, I had only knitted jumpers before from patterns, but never attempted anything like these, it was very experimental.
I really enjoyed this section, playing around with different types of material. It was great fun sorting my fabric out, something that needed to be done for a long time!
I wasn't that sure if I had got the developing idea correct, I tried to be different with the dog rag. I also loved how the local tarn came out, I felt it was lively with the black net over the blue sea.
"Applied Fabric Techniques (Stage 3)"
The Organza bonded to Calico with Angelina ironed on top really surprised me because I had not done anything like this before (another learning curve). It's great trying out new things, the bunch of flowers didn't look anything like my drawing so at first I was disappointed, but I think it's learned me a lesson to let go of being too regimented. I have been finding it hard to let go from the "neat & tidy" approach but I think I have turned a corner on this (I hope!). I do like the flower design more now I've got used to it.
Raised And Structured (Stage 4)
I love this section, the enjoyment I had experimenting with Cut back applique, Bubble fabric, Moulding was great even though it was all new to me. They were all so different how the finished project came together especially moulding the Hessian it amazed me how firm it dried.
The Hollyhocks were a big challenge, I had only knitted jumpers before from patterns, but never attempted anything like these, it was very experimental.
Tuesday, 31 January 2012
Part Three - Research Point
Research Point
Today many young people live in a different world from their parents, reacting to many influences outside of family and community. In Peru instead of spinning wool or fur from their animals, many can buy and are beginning to weave with synthetic yarn made by machines. I think this is now common in most places.
Many areas are now saving cultural heritage, many crafts are coming back into fashion. In our area we have "Made In Cumbria" http://madeincumbria.co.uk which lists small businesses with everything hand made in cumbria.
The Wool Clip www.woolclip.com understood the threat to British wool and local sheep farming and the loss of traditional craft skills. By creating a co-operative, they were able to raise the profile of their work and create a shop that they could share. When I paid a visit I spoke to Rachael Matthews and she was saying how passionate the 15 members are in specialising in using local wool such as Herdwick, Swaledale, Cheviot & Jacob sheep, which provide glorious wools in textures that fit so many uses and even local Alpaca now provide beautiful fleeces. There life style is very relaxed and enjoyable, they do workshops with weaving,dyeing wools, spinning & tapestry looms.
Many crafts have changed over the years. In "The New Textiles" it was interesting to read about the cultural aspects of quilt making and also about the history of crazy quilts. Patchwork quilts were originally a way to re-use fabrics to make new items for the home.
After having a look at Eco-Chic The Fashion Paradox, shows the importance of fashion, in terms of environmental awareness in the fashion industry. Much of the discussion is "fast fashion" and "slow fashion" and questions whether it is possible to provide more conscientious designs that will satisfy consumers who are used to cheap and fast clothing.
Weaving
The earliest evidence of weaving, closely related to basketry, dates from Neolithic cultures of about 5000BCE. Weaving apparently preceded spinning of yarn; woven fabrics probably originated from basket weaving. Cotton, Silk, Wool and Flax fibres were used as textile materials in ancient Egypt; Cotton was used in India by 3000BCE; and silk production is mentioned in Chinese chronicles dating to about the same period.
Weaving was in an advanced state in North and Southern America during prehistoric times. Inca cotton and wool fabrics were brilliantly coloured, with patterns based on geometric and conventionalised human forms.
English settlers established a cloth mill in Massachusetts in 1638. The Yorkshire weavers produced heavy cotton fustian; cotton twill jeans; and linsey-woolsey, a coarse, loosely woven fabric of linen and wool.
Mechanical spinners produced in 1769 and 1779 by Sir Richard Arkwright and Samual Crompton encouraged development of mechanised processes of carding and combing wool for the spinning machines.
The modern textile industry is still closely related to the olden industry, but production of fabrics for industrial use has gained in importance. Conventional weaving and knitting methods are currently the major textile manufacturing techniques, but newer construction methods are achieving acceptance and may replace certain long established textiles continue to rise and rapid technological advances continually develop new materials.
Research on Wordsworth House, Cockermouth
Wordsworth House was the home to the famous poet William Wordsworth.
It was built at the end of the 17th century.
The design of a Scotch double cloth carpet of 1765 from Townend, Troutbeck, was copied for the Brussels Wilton carpet in the entrance hall. Furniture in "The Best Parlour" were Chippendale armchairs of c.1755 upholstered in red wool damask.
Mrs Wordsworth's bedroom - she had a Chippendale style four-poster bed, hung with white lawn linen with floral sprig pattern. This fabric copying an English fabric dating from 1765, it is also used for the 18th century style 'festoon' window curtains.
Today many young people live in a different world from their parents, reacting to many influences outside of family and community. In Peru instead of spinning wool or fur from their animals, many can buy and are beginning to weave with synthetic yarn made by machines. I think this is now common in most places.
Many areas are now saving cultural heritage, many crafts are coming back into fashion. In our area we have "Made In Cumbria" http://madeincumbria.co.uk which lists small businesses with everything hand made in cumbria.
The Wool Clip www.woolclip.com understood the threat to British wool and local sheep farming and the loss of traditional craft skills. By creating a co-operative, they were able to raise the profile of their work and create a shop that they could share. When I paid a visit I spoke to Rachael Matthews and she was saying how passionate the 15 members are in specialising in using local wool such as Herdwick, Swaledale, Cheviot & Jacob sheep, which provide glorious wools in textures that fit so many uses and even local Alpaca now provide beautiful fleeces. There life style is very relaxed and enjoyable, they do workshops with weaving,dyeing wools, spinning & tapestry looms.
Many crafts have changed over the years. In "The New Textiles" it was interesting to read about the cultural aspects of quilt making and also about the history of crazy quilts. Patchwork quilts were originally a way to re-use fabrics to make new items for the home.
After having a look at Eco-Chic The Fashion Paradox, shows the importance of fashion, in terms of environmental awareness in the fashion industry. Much of the discussion is "fast fashion" and "slow fashion" and questions whether it is possible to provide more conscientious designs that will satisfy consumers who are used to cheap and fast clothing.
Weaving
The earliest evidence of weaving, closely related to basketry, dates from Neolithic cultures of about 5000BCE. Weaving apparently preceded spinning of yarn; woven fabrics probably originated from basket weaving. Cotton, Silk, Wool and Flax fibres were used as textile materials in ancient Egypt; Cotton was used in India by 3000BCE; and silk production is mentioned in Chinese chronicles dating to about the same period.
Weaving was in an advanced state in North and Southern America during prehistoric times. Inca cotton and wool fabrics were brilliantly coloured, with patterns based on geometric and conventionalised human forms.
English settlers established a cloth mill in Massachusetts in 1638. The Yorkshire weavers produced heavy cotton fustian; cotton twill jeans; and linsey-woolsey, a coarse, loosely woven fabric of linen and wool.
Mechanical spinners produced in 1769 and 1779 by Sir Richard Arkwright and Samual Crompton encouraged development of mechanised processes of carding and combing wool for the spinning machines.
The modern textile industry is still closely related to the olden industry, but production of fabrics for industrial use has gained in importance. Conventional weaving and knitting methods are currently the major textile manufacturing techniques, but newer construction methods are achieving acceptance and may replace certain long established textiles continue to rise and rapid technological advances continually develop new materials.
Research on Wordsworth House, Cockermouth
Wordsworth House was the home to the famous poet William Wordsworth.
It was built at the end of the 17th century.
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| Wordsworth House, Cockermouth |
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| Rear View of Wordsworth House |
The design of a Scotch double cloth carpet of 1765 from Townend, Troutbeck, was copied for the Brussels Wilton carpet in the entrance hall. Furniture in "The Best Parlour" were Chippendale armchairs of c.1755 upholstered in red wool damask.
Mrs Wordsworth's bedroom - she had a Chippendale style four-poster bed, hung with white lawn linen with floral sprig pattern. This fabric copying an English fabric dating from 1765, it is also used for the 18th century style 'festoon' window curtains.
Part Three - Notes & Reflective Commentary
How does working with fabric in this way compare with working directly with stitch?
I found you can have more choice, It allows your design to stand out more with 3D effect. I think it also lets you have more variety because you can mix fabric & stitch together.
I had not done anything like this before so I did find some parts challenging.
Are you pleased with the shapes and movements that you have created in both
applique and fabric manipulation? What would you do differently?
Overall I'm please how the projects have turned out. Stage two I wasn't sure if I had done this correctly.I did enjoy doing the designs.I loved the way the knitted Hollyhocks came out, I had not attempted anything like that and I can certainly see ways to got with them.I think on the cut back applique I would have hand stitched around the cut edge if I had only known my sewing machine was going to play up!
How did the pieces work in relation to your drawings? Were the final results very different from the drawings? Did the fabric manipulation technique take over and dictate the final result?
Some pieces were very different from the sketch such as Bunch of Flowers, I felt itcame out well but didn't look like the drawing at all. The stage 2 colourful drawing I felt didn't look like the painting, the threads of twisted wool were obviously going the correct way but the colours were different so I think this maybe had something to do with it. However Stage two I think some maybe looked too much like the drawings!
Was it helpful to work from the drawings in the applique' exercise? Would you have preferred to play directly with cut shapes and materials?
It helped in the way I knew in my mind I was going to make Hollyhocks and use cotton material and wool (at the time I wasn't sure how I would make them work together), to be fair I worked ideas in my head from previous knitting experience.
I think it might have been easier with cut shapes & materials not sure though.
How do you feel about working with stitch in general? Is it a area you would like to pursue in more depth? Do you find it limiting in any way?
I love working with stitch, I will be doing more with it. The only little issue I find is,
it can take me longer which I think is just lack of experience in this field.
Books used for research
The New Textiles Trends & Traditions - Chloe Colchesters
Textiles Today, A Global Survey Of Trends And Traditions - Chloe Colchester
Colour on Cloth - Ruth Isselt (Loved this book, loads of ideas)
Drawn to stitch - Gwen Hedley (Very useful for drawing techniques)
Two Hour Silk Ribbon Embroidery - Malissa Williams
Textile Art - A practical & inspirational guide to manipulating colouring and embellishing fabric - This book was fantastic explaining how to make things.
Stitch - February/March
Books used for research
The New Textiles Trends & Traditions - Chloe Colchesters
Textiles Today, A Global Survey Of Trends And Traditions - Chloe Colchester
Colour on Cloth - Ruth Isselt (Loved this book, loads of ideas)
Drawn to stitch - Gwen Hedley (Very useful for drawing techniques)
Two Hour Silk Ribbon Embroidery - Malissa Williams
Textile Art - A practical & inspirational guide to manipulating colouring and embellishing fabric - This book was fantastic explaining how to make things.
Stitch - February/March
Saturday, 28 January 2012
Part 3 Project 6 - Stage 4 Raised and structured surface textures
Project 6 - Raised and structured surface textures
These different types of examples below show the variety of ways you can experiment with images and designs and how different fabrics are better for some designs than others.Gathered wool is very different to gathered calico. Quilting really makes the pattern stand out on the material.
Sample:
These different types of examples below show the variety of ways you can experiment with images and designs and how different fabrics are better for some designs than others.Gathered wool is very different to gathered calico. Quilting really makes the pattern stand out on the material.
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| Cut-back applique |
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| Layering |
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| Bubble Fabric |
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| Moulding |
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| Quilting |
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| Tucking |
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| Folding and Pleating |
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| Gathering knitted wool (also raised shapes) |
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| Gathering Calico FINAL SAMPLE My final sample is taken from my garden, I love Hollyhocks and thought it would be a challenge to bring the boldness of the flower to life.     I used various types of materials for this sample, the stem was cotton which was wrapped around wadding to give it thickness and twisted every two inches. I then knitted different wools which were double knitting and three ply. I was really please how the three ply came out (very delicate) I also experimented with number of stitches I casted on. I found that the green/yellow only had 120 stitches on the needle and it wasn't as gathered as the two yellow flowers which had 250 stitches. 2nd sample I know we only had to do one but I really fancied a go at a design from assignment two, see below I used different materials- these included twisted wool, gathered ribbons, cord wrapped with red violes then stitched into the material. I am pleased with the outcome even though it came out different to how I expected.   |
Part 3 - Project 6 Stage 3 Applied fabric techniques
Project 6 - Stage 3
Applied fabric techniques
I ventured into new territory here! I had a go at a number of techniques, I have to admit some worked out better than others.Here are my examples:
I enjoyed experimenting with different types of machine sewn applique and cut back applique.
My samples
I received a lovely bunch of flowers and thought it would be good to sketch them before I put them in a vase. I let my imagination run wild on how I was going to apply fabric, I decided to knit and crochet, then use my sewing machine to put stitches on top.
I then had another go at the design below:
When I went to Jamaica I will always remember the view off our balcony, you had flowers then sea. I decided to try and draw what I could remember then had the fun of making the sample. It came out bright and colourful.It doesn't look that much like my picture and it's got a slight bit of puckering, but I do like it.
Applied fabric techniques
I ventured into new territory here! I had a go at a number of techniques, I have to admit some worked out better than others.Here are my examples:
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| Organza bonded to calico with Angelina ironed on top |
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| As above but I machine sewed on top then added an organza bow |
I enjoyed experimenting with different types of machine sewn applique and cut back applique.
My samples
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| Bunch of flowers |
I received a lovely bunch of flowers and thought it would be good to sketch them before I put them in a vase. I let my imagination run wild on how I was going to apply fabric, I decided to knit and crochet, then use my sewing machine to put stitches on top.
I then had another go at the design below:
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| Caribbean sea & flowers |
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