Module 2 Chapter 11

Further Design Exercises leading to fabric samples.

Because of other commitments, it's taken me a long time to complete this chapter. I've done it in fits and starts and it takes ages each time to pick up thought processes from where I stopped.

This first set of designs aims to show a series of different design elements.

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The next series are the "stack and whack" method. For this first series, I chose 4 different papers, some of which were photocopies of earlier designs, so they are fairly fragmented even before the first series of cuts.

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For this second series, once again I chose photocopies of earlier designs, and kept cutting and rearranging until the design was very fragmented.

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I really enjoyed doing these "stack and whack designs."

Stitched fabric samples based on the paper designs

Stage A.

Rather than slavishly try to copy the paper designs in fabric, I tried to follow the techniques I had used, and spent quite a bit of time putting machine embroidery onto the fabrics. I used both my own printed and dyed fabrics as well as purchased fabrics.

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For this final series of samples, I used the "stack and whack" techniques, starting with these 4 fabrics, all of which I embroidered quite heavily. I intended to photograph the results after each series of cuts, but got so engrossed in the process that I forgot after the first series of cuts!

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These are the final pieces, photographed on both sides. Each piece is about 23cms x 17cms and I have deliberately kept them separate. I like them so much I am thinking about finding a way of hanging them in a vertical group.

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Finally - Stage B

The final task in this module was to replicate the technique used for the final sample in the previous chapter, only this time to use patterned and decorated fabrics.

I started with 2 strips both of which were about 10cms wide x 45cms long. I constructed one strip from 2 light fabrics embroidered with white and the other strip from 2 darker fabrics embroidered with black. Both can be seen in the top section of the sample. I put one more cut than suggested in the second section, and made several cuts in the final section. I took a wire brush to the final section just to create a bit more texture.

I really enjoyed making these last two samples. I've been working on and off (well more off than on!) on a series based on some drawings I made of vineyards in the Rhine Gorge, and these techniques have great potential to take me a bit further - time allowing of course!