Week 7

My work this week saw me explore the idea of a tubular structure further, but this time much less of a direct representation of the firecracker. Using sublimation print on polyester felt I experimented the possibilities of parallel pintuck stitch to create structure, whilst also playing with embellishment ideas on top the print in replicating the movement and composition of the fragment pieces in one of my earlier drawings. Hair pin stitch was something I though was quite naff in our lesson with Nigel a few weeks ago, but after playing with how with yarn densities and qualities, and creating depth with varying lengths, the outcome became something quite Catalonian inspired and I’m excited by the depth it gives to the piece.

hairpin embellishment adds to the 'explosive' aesthetic

pin tuck stitch got me thinking about a ribbed sleeve, and a possible context for these tubular forms

Continuing on with my flirtation of the Ethos machine, I feel like I have full immersed myself in risk taking on this machine by stitching the lady’s face design on to water soluble fabric. The time it takes in altering a digital design plus the set-up and stitch-out time and effort, it was a gamble as I wasn’t sure how my figurative marker would hold up once the fabric was washed away. I’m pleased with the result of the face, as my bold, blocky ethos design has now gained an eerie, ghostly quality similar to a lace design. Straight in satin stitch do not hold with out supporting stitch around it, and some of the elements of the design bulked and warped which, although did not work to plan, still are interesting in the shapes they have no become. Mark has suggested I play on a bigger scale with the Ethos on water soluble.

Ethos design on water soluble (before I lost the sample) 

This week, due to a friend unable to make a laser cutter session I took their place, which I used as an opportunity to play with the fragment elements in my earlier drawings and produced a collection of ‘shard’ pieces with holes which allow me play with them and hand stitch applique. I am unsure if I will use all of these pieces in my work, but it was good to refresh my skills in CAD and in the laser room, whilst opening possible ideas for the future mixing laser cut pieces and stitch.