Module 5, Chapter 10: Stitched to translate

For this chapter I looked at my rubbings in chapter 9 for inspiration with the goal to translate into stitch the patterns/textures I had created. The following samples were the result of this. Once again my favourites are those that use layering.... this has perhaps got to be something I will need to consider later in this module for my final piece.

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Module 5, Chapter 9 continued: Rubbings from raised surfaces

I created these rubbings by using a (dry) water soluble white artist's crayon over fabric with my paper textures underneath. I tried other mediums but this gave by far the best result. I originally intended to use a Markal paint stick, but mine had unexpectedly dried up and was rendered useless. I found that not every paper texture worked and others worked so well that I was able to take more than one impression from the same relief.

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Module 5, Chapter 9, Threads and stitchery

For this exercise I consciously used different threads (size, shade, texture) to produce my samples. I used a mixture of structured and non structured patterns to create variations of the stitches I was doing. My favourite effects were those that occurred due to layering of stitches. Apologies for the poor angle that I have taken this photograph but hopefully it is enough to show what I have produced.

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Module 5, Chapter 8: Paper relief into Fabric relief

For this chapter I translated my paper relief from chapter 3 into fabric samples using the techniques I have been developing these last few chapters. This was not as easy as it sounds especially as I had the additional challenge of trying to recreate the same effect using alternative fabrics and methods. This resulted in two different techniques per paper relief that although were inspired by the same image were actually very different outcomes as a result!

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Module 5, Chapter 7: Tactile contrasts

The subtitle to this is 'using your fingers as well as your eyes'. It is difficult to convey how my sample feels but I can show how it looks in the following image. I tried to ensure that each square was filled with something that felt different to the squares around it. To achieve this I worked with different fabrics as well as techniques and manipulations. To me, by touch, I feel I have achieved what I set out to do... you will just have to take my word for it!

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Module 5, Chapter 6b: Gathers

The first samples I created were by hand. Stitching by hand gave a less structured effect to those created by machine however at the same time I felt that I had more control over them during manufacture. A lot of the samples I created looked very similar to each other so here are 4 that seemed to represent them all! Top left I have nicked named 'the rose' effect, top right 'the button', bottom left 'the grid' and bottom right 'the indent'. There are probably many other patterns that can be created, I just personally found that no matter how I stitched the fabric, or what fabrics I used, I would ultimately see one of these four patterns emerge!

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Interestingly I found that I could achieve a far wider range of effects through using a sewing machine. The resulting gathers were far finer too. This photo really doesn't do any of my samples any justice but hopefully conveys the diversity I achieved with this technique.

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On a final note for this chapter, I ordered in elastic thread but it didn't arrive at the time I was working through this chapter. I had to do a lot of chasing to get it delivered at all, and it has only just arrived. If the work leads me towards its use later on in this module I will produce some further samples at that point if appropriate.

Module 5, Chapter 6a: Tucks, pleats and gathers

The aim of this chapter was to investigate different ways in which I could tuck, pleat or gather fabric. The following pictures show some of the results of my experiments. There were many samples that didn't make the cut though as they either disintegrated, looked identical to ones I have presented here (probably because the changes I made to the manufacturing of them were too subtle!) or just went so wrong I started again (machine issues or I used the wrong setting for example). The ratio of success to failure meant that this was quite a challenging chapter for me.

My favourite method in all of these has to be the tucks. I loved the challenge of sewing so dangerously close to the edge and that it was  the fabric equivalent of drawing patterns with lines. Mexican pleating also gave interesting textures. Shiny fabrics such as satin looked really pretty but were significantly harder to work with. The stiffer the fabric the easier it was to keep shape.

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