Large samples

The weaving with these samples was quite straight forward, this samples are ok but, I would like to photograph the fabric in different positions across the body an just play with the potential for these samples.

Large scale weaving

I wound this warp 1.80 meters long by 48 cm wide. I wanted large samples but not so many just in case I wasn't happy with them so I plan to weave only two samples on this particular warp. With cotton as the warp, and a mixed weft of wool and cotton, to use my knowledge of the collapse weave stuff I did in the previous unit. (As most weavers would say) there is something very satisfying about weaving a bigger piece of fabric. Perhaps its just my course.. but we are conditioned on the first year to weave sample no more than 12 cm wide..which is understanding as we were still learning but, in the later part of the 2nd year is when you finally get to weave a really chunky large production piece. But, with a larger warp means that it takes me more time to set up and thread the shafts on my loom. I got there in the and I think the samples are okay.. but they are not quite where I want them to be. I will be doing some research later this week and I will hopefully be able to finalizing my context and what I wish to make at the end of this unit. I used a 16 shaft dobby loom for all of my sample work.

(I finally managed to get a photo of the cone winding machine as the yarn tends to get caught but I did it!) These are of course down below.

Dyeing larger samples

I had a tutorial this past Thursday on the 11th. I was encouraged to work larger in order to play with the potential for an outcome for a fashion garment. I am really interested in the idea of making a scarf, but i will have a better idea after weaving this warp. I dyed a variety of colours for this warp..and it is very stressful having to weigh out so many different shades to create the mixture of colour i wanted. (my maths isn't great) but i took my time and created some colours that I am happier with. In the last warp I felt my colour were far to strong and I needed it to respond more closely to my images which overall a lot paler, than what I got with my first batch. I used both the procion (cold water dyes) for my cotton skeins and Kenanthrol acid dyes for my Australian crossbred (wool) skiens, I manged to do it all in one day so I should start setting up a loom later this week and cone wind.  I will continue to add to my palette to find a set of colours that are correct for me. It is the definition of trial and error.

The Final major project - Colour and weave

I had time over Christmas to finish my dissertation and start some colour studies in my sketchbook as well. I forgot to take pictures of the dyeing process (oops) but here is my first warp using colour, based on my inspired images from morocco, of the plants and trees I was able to see in the Jardin Majorelle gardens last year. I am excited to finally be using colour and understand the applications for a final outcome which should become far clearer throughout this unit. I used Cotton Mercerised 2/16's (12 e.p.cm)  for the warp and Australian Crossbred 6 t.p.i "S" spin(8 e.p.cm) for most of the weft with some elasticometric yarn. Using both acid and procion dyes for these colours. I am quite pleased with the way things are going so far the turquoise sample was my favorite as I introduced using monofliament (fishing wire) for the first time in a slightly larger sample. I wound this warp 2.50 meters long, and 24 cm wide.