Embroidery | Week 2

This week we were taught 2 new techniques: Hair Pinning and Tailor Tacking. We were also inducted on the Tufting Machines and so could use this technique too.

I really like all of these techniques and I find them easy to do. One of my favourite aspects of each is that there are so many variations of each that you can create, meaning there can be hundreds of different outcomes. As a result of this I found this week's 15 samples a lot more enjoyable to create, because I had more ideas.

Another reason I enjoyed these techniques is because previously I have never used machine feet other than a straight foot and a darling foot. I found it interesting to use machine feet that I'd never used before.

Although I feel I have improved a lot on last weeks samples, there is still room for improvement with these ones too. However I am a lot happier with my samples overall this week.

 

 

Here are three of my samples that included the Hair-Pinning technique. All were carried out the same way yet the outcomes are totally different, which I really like. It is all down to using different materials and threads. Hair-Pinning is one of my favourite techniques to use as I really like the effect it creates. I think there are still many ways to experiement with it which I look forward to trying.

This is one of my samples using the Tufting machine. It was quite intimidating at first but I eventually got the hang of it. I found Hair Pinning and Tailor Tacking were easier to come up with ideas for, which is why more of my samples use those techniques. However Tufting can be very effective, I especially like it when the threads are cut down closer to the fabric. I added to this tufting with straight stitch and Tailor Tacking.

I really like Tailor Tacking, particularly when it is used with gradual threads. I experimented with gradual threads with this technique and then I found it hard to stop using the two together because I like the outcome so much. This is my favourite sample of Tailor Tacking, I think it worked well because it is based on one of my drawings.

 

 

This is one of my favourite samples from this week. This includes both Tailor Tacking and Hair Pinning. Again I've used the gradual threads because I think it adds more to the sample in comparison to one-coloured threads. Furthermore, the gradual thread I chose comes out with a hint of purple when placed against black fabric, adding a tiny bit of colour which I really like.

 



Embroidery | Week 1

In the first week of Embroidery, we were split into two groups; Hand and Machine.

My group started with machine stitch. For this week we were only given a straight stitch and a regular domestic needle. Our target was to complete 15 samples. I found this quite difficult, as it was hard to come up with ideas in such a short space of time. However we were only given a monochrome palette to work with which did eliminate having to take colour into account.

Overall I wasn't that happy with my samples as they were all rushed and I didnt base them on my drawings, meaning I didnt put much thought into what I was doing. Also, I think my stitching is messy as I was more focussed on getting the samples done rather than doing them well.

 

I think this sample has potential, however I really rushed the stitching. I should have stitched in white thread rather than black as well as making it neater and less obvious.

Again I think this idea is ok but I have carried it out in the wrong way. The technique of wrapping thread into circles and stitching them down is good, however I have rushed and left strands going everywhere. Furthermore I should have stitched them in more places as they weren't secure enough and ended up hanging off the fabric.

As I felt very restricted by the straight stitch and foot, I tried to experiement with other things that I could vary. Instead of using thread or material, I stitched on some wooden sticks from the cafe that I'd snapped and cut in half to make sure they would fit into the zig-zag stitch of the machine. Although this was different to any other samples I'd created, I feel it could have been made better by expanding ideas, such as covering the whole fabric.

 



Chance Card Drawings

Our first task was to do 16 drawings based on Chance Cards which described how we had to draw each picture. At first I found it difficult deciding what object to draw and how to draw it, as in the past I've been taught that to draw something is to draw the entire object and make it look as realistic as possible. It took me a while to expand on what drawing is but eventually I began to look at things differently and draw them in alternative ways.

 



"Make a drawing using 5 different pencils"
This was the first drawing I did from a photo I took in the city. I tried to draw the full object in as much
detail as possible because this is how I'd been taught before.

 

"Make a drawing that fills 5%, 25% or 85% of the paper"
Originally I just drew the graffiti walls at the top of the page. However I then painted the
bricks they were made of in watercolour. I did this to try and experiment with painting a part of an object
rather than the whole thing.

"Make a drawing using layered sheets of transparent paper"

I decided the branches of a tree would work nicely for this chance card. However in the end I found

the outcome a bit boring so I drew more trees over the top using indian ink.

"Make one drawing using 50 different pieces of paper"

This is a drawing of the same tree above. Again, I wasn't pleased with the outcome so I decided to turn it

into the 50 pieces chance card by cutting it up.

 

 

 

When I had my meeting with the tutors I was advised to try and work on a bigger piece of paper.

Here I used two pieces of A3 paper together to create A2. The objects I drew were a jar of dirty water and an ice cream

scoop, using indian ink and pastels.

"Make a light drawing on a dark background"

I drew a section of a chain bracelet I own using pastels. I think this turned out quite well and it is

one of my favourite chance card drawings.

 

 

I developed this drawing from the one above. I decided to try it again on a light background with different drawing materials. This time I used indian ink and in some places watercolour.