Machines

When I stared on the sewing machines, I still wanted to create lines within the materials however I still wanted to explore more materials within line. My most successful sample was created out of surprised, as I was experimenting with the couching foot. I started couching on top of the rubber thread on old strips of fabric. This created ruffle effect which inspired me to think about what other material I could develop this method on to.  The sample I wanted to improve was the plastic seam. It was too small and had this weird effect. I thought this was interesting. To improve this I wanted to create this sample on a bigger scale. The worst sample was the cling film sample as didn't have a good effect as the others did. This was because it kept getting caught in the machine. This was when I realised you cannot put cling film in the sewing machine. 

Outside Photographs

Artists research

With the use of ‘Pinterest’, I found some inserting artists to research e.g. such as Dale Chihiuly and Megan Geckler. Chihiuly colours and shapes were inspiring to look at because of the use of multiple lines and repetition. Similar, Megan Geckler uses these in her art installations and she uses a lot of tape and ribbon, like I do. Other artist I have found that interest me: Michel Francols and Anne Helper. I found these artists work really strange because of their use of space and materials. We all use the same types of materials but in many different ways and this is what has inspired me to develop for my next samples. Anne Helper work remind me of the foundation diploma course I studied at Sixth Form College due to the inflating plastics involved. So I decided to use some of these materials in my new samples.  When I finished making my samples and photographed them outside, in a car park, to see how they stood out in the street light. This gave them a different image because they had more movement in them. Also the materials I used were transparent and had some fascinating movements when the lights were shining through. 

Bigger the scale

When created my next ten samples I carefully consider what materials I was going to use and what scale to do them on. The materials I chose were: PVC’s, plastics, cellophane, electrical tape, mirrored cared and thread. I wanted to take a risk on the scale on my sample by using a lot of thread and electrical tape over a large area. That is my favorite sample so far. I incorporated the idea of straight stitch in the electrical tape my pressing in every little gap and using the adhesive side to stick it to the plastic. The sample that cause me the most problem was the cellophane, because it was hard to physically stick it to things and it had tendency to rip. During the critical feedback lesson with my peers, they picked up the sample which I wasn't most proud of. This was the cling film sample with chain stitch over the top of it. They said it had some qualities and gave recommendations to look at and to consider in my future samples, which will hopefully inspire me. For example, they gave me the idea of a bigger scale with thicker cling film. 

More experiments

Within in the last week I have learnt another five stitches, with these five I have looked more carefully at what materials I have been using. Sticking to a monochrome theme made me think a lot about how I could this restricted theme to my advantage. However I still needed to explore the use of different stitches methods. After I had spoken to my tutor and peers, they gave me feedback. They suggested that I should research some artists, e.g. Hannah wils and Christo. I have looked at Christo work before and I find it very interesting. The way he works and what he creates is incredibly unique. The scale on which he does his work is so inspiring; for example, he wrapped a whole island in bright pink material. As well this my peers told me to create an amount on ‘Pinterest’ to see what current contemporary artists are creating. 

Stitch

Data collecting

When I began drawing spirals I started to think about what things lines reminded me of. The spirals inspired me to look at finger prints and human hair. Human hair has a lot of repetition; in the sense that the lines and shapes are repeated in data. Within my sample I focused on developing a method to repeat a stitch and manipulated the whole surface. I was told my main focus, involving the stitches was to show how I could adapt them in my own way; which is to change the way people see everyday materials. The chain stitch particular interesting to use because it manipulated the fabric into a different shape. The stitch which I could improve on was the straight stitched, with the mirrored card, this was because I didn’t finished the sample. If I had fill the whole surface with the stitch I would have been able to see it more clearly. All I really enjoy working with the rubber thread, because it was interesting and experimental to use. I want to use this method in my future work.