I’m a bit behind with blogging. this is partly due to holidays (camping in Ireland – a little damp but great holiday) and due to school holidays which means that I have no spare time. By the time it gets to evening, I’m shattered. I have also had camera problems that meant I took photos on my mobile phone and mislaid them on my computer. Anyway………….
I decided not to use display boards for my samples this time. As I had based my design on a pinecone, it seemed a good idea to use a fir tree (aka xmas tree) to hang the samples on. I was working on the assumption that we are aiming to present our product in show or similar.
I was happy with it. Tutor seemed a little bemused but agreed that it was a good idea. I was a bit rushed this project so it suited me – it was much quicker to do this than attach samples onto boards and do all the artwork. Tutor thought samples were fairly good – some more than others. Reminded me that double cloth should be pleasing to look at from both sides. As I had used double weave in some samples as ‘structural’, the back of some samples weren’t very interesting. My mood board worked well. I had used paintshop pro to design a background (blurred a photo of autumn leaves) and overlaid it with other photos suggesting autumn, crisp, outdoorsy. I got it printed at Staples onto A2. Not cheap but I was in a rush for this project. I could well do this again for my final show (apparantly I can use Bradford College print facilities if I get my act together). It’s a bit expensive to do it for every project. I also need to ensure that if I am designing Mens scarfs, that all my samples are for men. Some of mine were a bit feminine. Everyone liked this sample best.
- the most feminine. As most of the students are female, perhaps that is predictable.
The tutor liked this one – and this is the one that nearly didn’t make it to the final cut – only selected because my husband liked it. I find after a bit of weaving, tiredness creeps in and I feel the urge to do a really wacky mad sample. Like a personal joke. It’s amazing how often these samples are picked out by other people as good ones.
The funny thing about the process of producing samples, presenting your work (visually and verbally) and getting feedback is… by the time you are at the presenting stage, you have mentally moved onto the next project. Or I have. My brain works faster than the time I have. I’m sure I’m not alone.
The next project is on recycling. I suppose it should have a new heading. Or should I talk about Ireland next.
Hmmmm I’ll sleep on it.
August 19, 2009 at 9:14 pm
I like your samples, they are very interresting and the colors are lovely! I like sampling very much, and for me sampling is absolutely necessary in order to find new structures and to derermine if a particular structure / warp density /weft density will work out well in a textile.
Here school holiday is finally over tomorrow, what a relief! Two months of school holidays are a very long time.
August 20, 2009 at 9:53 am
just found your blog – I love your linen scarfs – I’m going to order some irish linen and have a go with it. I saw quite a few linen scarf in ireland – they were light and semi-transparent – very beautiful. Not used linen before and I have heard it isn’t very easy to use. We will see…..thanks for your comment
Jane
September 19, 2009 at 12:27 am
Thanks so much for your comment telling me where to find the scarf design I had photographed for my blog!! I really appreciate it!!
I am not a sample person…but hanging them from a tree seems great!! I’ve actually photographed finished objects hanging on trees frequently. And you were doing pine cones – it totally makes sense!
Sue