Short Evaluation

I started this Data project by collecting my own data in various ways, my first set of information was some graph paper, various maps and a list of countries that my classmates had been to. I then used this information to create drawings in my sketchbook, I also used some techniques I used in a previous drawing task to continue my drawings on A1 sheets.

Through the progression of my drawings I started to record the process of  the different techniques and mark making, I then decided to look further into the movement and reactions of things such as adding coloured inks and oil to water which gave me inspiration for more drawings and samples.

I feel that I have had a successful project so far in terms of my drawings/research, artist research and my samples, if I was to improve anything it would be to manage my time more equally on my physical body of work and my blog as I feel that I sometimes left too much time before updating my blog at certain points of the project. In saying this I think that my blog explains my project and shows some of the best aspects of my work well.

In this sampling unit I have learnt a lot of new skills, I feel that whilst putting them into practice I have been able to combine them for a better outcome of samples. As well as developing my embroidery skills I have learnt how to use the laser cutter which will benefit my future projects, if I had more time and money to spend on this project I would have definitely made use of the laser cutter.

Overall I am very pleased with the quality of my samples and I think that I have interpreted my research and drawings through my final samples.

Video Clips

I have created some short video clips to see the process of reactions between various liquids, my two most successful videos were with Oil and water, Black Ink and water.
Due to technical difficulties i am not able to upload the videos properly so i have included a youtube link for both of them to be viewed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frDscWZiyi4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57JSckmlTxU

Hand Embroidery

Since starting hand embroidery I haven't found time to post anything as most of my samples have been extremely time consuming, putting this aside I have found that doing these has been somewhat therapeutic for me and I have really enjoyed learning how easy some of the more complex looking techniques actually are. I have included 14 images of my samples in this post and have carefully selected the ones I feel show the techniques in the best ways.

Running Stitch with different sizes of threads.

These 3 samples show French knots applied to fabrics that all vary in weight and transparency, I feel that although they all include the same technique they are all very different. 

Again these two samples are French knotted, however the top image shows the front and back aspects of the technique without the aid of a transparent fabric, the bottom images show one sample but at different angles, I feel that the knots in this particular sample have such a beautiful texture and the way each knot starts to change colour has a great effect ( I used a multicoloured thread).

These two images show totally different ways of using the same techniques, they are both done with herring bone/faggoting stitch and couching. The top one shows a more bold approach by use of boning, thick threads and a medium/heavy weight fabric, and the bottom sample has much finer threads and light fabric. I think the contrast of these samples is really interesting.

These two images show couching, and satin/ladder stitch I like the simplicity of these sample as this doesn't take away the textural elements. 

We were given a list of phrases from which we had to choose 6 and then create a sample following the 'instruction'. The top image was 'To Cut' and the bottom image was 'To Knot'.

Different Media Types

As I previously posted about media exploration I have since tried and tested various kinds of materials which include:

• Foam bowls
• Cardboard peat pots
• Foil pie dishes
• Cotton buds (melted)
• Plastic PVC wall panels

I feel that they all went particularly well but I preferred working with the foam bowls, cotton buds and the plastic PVC panels as they were more of a challenge due to the nature of the materials.

Cotton buds, rather fiddly and kept breaking. Overall a successful sample. 

Plastic PVC wall Panel, I had to make my own holes to sew with, once I had created the holes it was easier to sew than I thought it would be.

(As written above)

Foam bowls, Top- Two bowls sewn together with one of the bottoms cut out, then stitched in the middle to create a web like effect.

Bottom- Ladder stitch around the outside with a thick thread couched in a circular pattern (like children's spirographs).

Machine Embroidery sampling, Week 3

For the final week of Machine Embroidery we were introduced to the different types of double needles and the pin-tucking foot, I think this is a very restricted technique as you are unable to do things such a set patterns and zig zag stitch. However it is possible to produce creative samples with just 'two straight lines'. This week we were asked for a final 15 samples from which I have picked 10 to put on here. 

After spending 3 weeks doing machine embroidery I feel that I have gained some extremely useful skills, I am very pleased with my progression. I feel that my sampling so far has gone really well and I look forward to starting my 3 weeks of hand embroidery.

Machine Embroidery sampling, Week 2

During my second week I was shown how to use a tailor tacking foot and an embellisher, I think these are two very interesting techniques as you can create beautiful samples. This week we were asked to produce a further 20 samples with the option to include the techniques from last week, here I have chosen 10 of my preferred samples. 

Machine Embroidery sampling, Week 1

My first week of machine embroidery was quite interesting as I found that with just the simplest of techniques/stitches I could create some interesting samples. 

We had to produce 15 samples using straight and zig-zag stitch, reverse lever and layering/appliqué. I have chosen my favourite 8 samples to show on my blog, i feel that these particular pieces show the techniques in totally different ways but they all still show connections to my research and drawings.

Media Exploration (Intentions)

I have decided that throughout my project I want to experiment with more than just the basic/obvious materials such as fabrics, paper, thread etc. I aim to experiment with liquids such as ink, water and oil which I will record via short video clips, I also want to try using things that seem 'out of the ordinary'. After researching into artists and designers, I feel that I have some interesting ideas to pursue, in terms of exploration I think I have a lot to gain from my current intentions and I look forward to seeing the outcomes.

Langlands & Bell

In one of my lectures I was shown the work of Langlands and Bell, initially I wasn't really impressed but when looking closer at their work I started to really admire the 'air routes' collection. (Images taken from www.Langlandsandbell.com)

I chose my favourite images out of the air routes of Europe collection, from these I did various samples using simple techniques rather than more complex ones. 

Machine Embroidery, straight and satin stitch.

Quick drawing using 4B pencil.

2H pencil lines, Push pins and thin cotton.

Sheila Pepe

I looked previously at Sheila Pepe's work when I was doing the construct world, but because her work wasn't necessarily relevant to my project at the time I decided not to research further. However looking back at her work I feel like there is a connection between my current project and these particular images, I have found the linear elements of these inspirational and think there are some great similarities to my drawings and samples. (images taken from www.sheilapepe.com)