Lessons 19-21: What if?

Lesson Aims: To explore new possibilities within your project and create a fresh set of prep work in response to this. 

Lesson Objectives (during this lesson you will):

1. Complete the 'What if' task

2. Create a fresh set of prep work (photocopying, wraps, collages, Photoshop work, line drawing, etc.) 

3. Continue exploring new/existing techniques in samples 

Tasks/timings: 

'What if' task 

Choose 2 'What if' from the words above (or come up with your own words) and use these to develop a new way of exploring your project focus - the aim is to produce a different look in your book! Change colour, scale, imagery etc. 

Prep work 

Create a fresh set of prep work in response to your 'what if' task. This may require photocopying, wraps, collages, photoshop work, line drawing, etc. You should also add images of other designers or artists work that may inspire this new work.

Photocopying
Photocopying your samples, drawings, etc. Enlarge, crop, repeat!

Yarn Wraps, cellotape trappings and Collage Wraps
Using fresh colours create new yarn, cellotape trappings wraps and collage wraps - use different scales, shapes and materials!

Drawing and fresh fabric swatches

Sketch out ideas, collage, find fabric swatches, include photographs, etc! 

Collage
Explore collage - you will need to find a range of source imagery to work with before you get started!

PHOTOSHOP - These are some techniques you could try in Photoshop/Illustrator to enrich your prep work! 
Create Multiple Exposure images to transfer to fabric..

Create quick colour palettes from your photographs in illustrator...

Follow the tutorial below for instructions...

If you don't want to make your own you can find existing ones at Design for Mankind, Kuler, Colour Lovers or use a colour palette generator. 

HOMEWORK

1. Start to respond to your new imagery in fabric - use your artist/designer techniques for inspiration. You should create a minimum of 3 SAMPLES. The samples should link through colour, repetition or material etc. 

2. When we return from reading week you will be presenting your work in a group critique - you will also need to know if you intend to create a fashion or interior/art piece - be prepared! 

3. If possible visit an exhibition or museum/gallery for inspiration! If you do go ensure you take photographs (where possible) and sketch from the exhibits. See below for suggestions....

Collections of Fashion and Textile pieces 
Where: V&A (Victoria and Albert Museum)

Cost: Free

Club to Catwalk: London Fashion in the 1980s 

Where: V&A (Victoria and Albert Museum)

Cost: £7

The Glamour of Bellville Sassoon 
Where: Fashion and Textile Museum
Cost: £5.50 (with student ID)

Karen Nicol: Singerie 
Where: Rebecca Hossack Gallery (Charlotte Street) 
Cost: Free

Paper
Where: Saatchi Gallery 
Cost: Free

Susila Bailey-Bond
Where: Woolff Gallery
Cost: Free

Fashion Competition!

Lessons 16-18: Reviewing and Sampling

Starter: Review 

Using the handout provided complete a evaluation of the ways in which you have used research so far to help develop your project. This evaluation will form the basis of a 350 word review which will be written up as part of your homework this week. 

Lesson Aims: To reflect on how research has informed the development of your project and to continue to develop samples in response to research exploring and refining techniques. 

Lesson Objectives (during this lesson you will): 

1. Complete a written evaluation on your use of research
2. Use the evaluation to complete a 350 word written review
3. Continue sampling aiming to explore and refine techniques
4. Produce a minimum of 3 samples
5. Have a one to one to discuss progress

Tasks/Timings 

Sampling

You should now be exploring and refining techniques in response to your theme. Below are suggestions of techniques you may wish to explore. Follow the links below the images for full instructions/tutorials 

Anthrotypes

Batik

Combing block printing and Batik 

Foam Printing 

Carolyn Saxby: Mixed Media Leaves

Carolyn Saxby: Making Beads

or 

here

Watercolour Monoprinting 

Homework
1. Complete write up of the 350 word review started in this Mondays lessons. This should be typed up and printed ready to hand in at the beginning of your lesson on Monday.
2.  Find research references to inspire new samples - this research does not need to be written up. The links below will be a good starting point:

• Artist/Designer Directory
• Farnborough Sixth Form Textiles Pinterest
• I Heart Teaching Art Pinterest 
• It's Nice That (fashion posts)
• It's Nice That (textiles posts)

DEADLINE MONDAY 21ST OCTOBER 

Half-term Courses at the Fashion and Textile Museum, London

Follow the links for more information... Fashion Illustration and Fashion Collection 

Lesson 15 and Homework

TASKS

1. Ensure you have completed initial samples for the new techniques introduced this week. You should have 2-3 good quality samples per technique, this may mean re-do some samples!

• Transfer Printing*
• Heat Setting
• Fusing
• Shibori (dying)
• Shibori (3D)

*If you need more transfer paper you need to paint up A4 copy paper (the kind that goes in the printer!) using the transfer dyes - make sure the paper is dry before you press it! 

2. Complete a more refined series of samples exploring one of the above techniques 

Refer to the extension tasks suggested within this weeks lesson posts HERE and HERE 

HOMEWORK

1. Ensure all of the above work is complete

2. Reflect and act upon feedback given in assessment this week 

3. Present this weeks experiments on boards/in sketchbook - remember to be selective you need to showcase good quality samples! 

DEADLINE MONDAY 14TH OCTOBER 

Lesson 14: Shibori

Starter: What is Shibori? 

Shibori is a Japanese resist technique which is used when dying fabrics. There are many different techniques used to create the Shibori resist, they usually involve binding, twisting, clamping, folding, stitching, plaiting, knotting and compressing. 

Image sourced from HonestlyWTF DIY Shibori post  

There are 2 ways which you can use Shibori; as a dying technique and as a 3D manipulation technique:

Lesson Aims: To continue working towards AO2 Experiment by creating a series of initial samples using the Japanese resist technique 'Shibori' 

Lesson Objectives: (during this lesson you will):
1. Create a series of initial samples exploring a range of Shibori Techniques
2. Create samples using Shibori as a dying technique
3. Create samples using Shibori as a 3D manipulation technique

Tasks/Timings

Shibori Methods

'MARBLE' Shibori - small shapes such as marbles, shells, screws, bottle tops etc are individually tied into fabric

'ARASHI' Shibori - folded fabric wrapped diagonally around 'pole' then over-wrapped with string

'MOKUME' Shibori - fabric gathered into accordian pleats or hand stitched zig-zag lines

'ITAJIME' Shibori - Folding fabric compressed between two blocks or in a clamp

Dying Techniques
1. Use each of the above methods using NATURAL fabrics
2. Mix up Procion dyes in appropriate colour ways
3. Leave to soak for approx. 30 MINS
4. Rinse (whilst still folded) then hang to dry
5. Once dry unfold and iron flat to reveal patterns

3D Manipulation
1. Use each of the above methods using SYNTHETIC fabrics
2. Add colour to fabric with brushes and/or spray bottles using the Transfer dyes 
3. Place in the steamer for 20 MINS
4. Once dry unfold to reveal shaped fabric

PRESENTING SAMPLES

These are some suggestions for presenting your samples. For dyed samples you could stitch together to create a patchwork and/or lengths of fabric 

For 3D Manipulation samples it works well to mount them using double sided tape OR window mount them - it is good to put them on a board as they will squash in a book! 

Extension 
If you wish to complete further research into Shibori the following links are recommended:
World Shibori Network
Shibori Girl
Michelle Griffiths 
Nieves Carrasco 
HonestlyWTF DIY Shibori 

Lesson 13: Using the heat press

Starter: Demonstration and Health & Safety briefing 

Lesson Aims: To continue working towards AO2 Experiment by creating a series of initial samples using 'hot' textile approaches. 

Lesson Objectives (during this lesson you will):

1. Know how to safely use the heat press (including adjustment of temperature and time) 

2. Create a series of initial samples exploring transfer printing

extend: Create complex samples pressing more than once and experimenting with resist 

3. Create a series of initial samples exploring heat-setting

extend: Combine heat-setting with transfer printing 

4. Create a series of initial samples exploring fusing 

extend: explore fusing plastics to other materials, explore possibility of creating 3D fabrics

5. Complete a technical log to ensure you have instructions in a personal format for future use 

Tasks/Timings:

10 MINUTES Demonstration and Health & Safety briefing (starter)

60 MINUTES (3x 20 min activities) Transfer Printing, Heat Setting and Fusing 
In groups of 5-6 you will rotate between each activities to create a series of initial samples. Follow the instructions/demonstrations on the table to get started!

15 MINUTES (5 min per table)Technical Log and discussion of samples 

Rotate back to each table for 5 minutes to complete your technical log. There is no set format here but it is vital that you record instruction in a format appropriate for you.

5 MINUTES Clear up and submit sketchbooks for marking

EXTENSION

To extend activities used in todays lesson consider the 'extend' activities outlined in the Learning Objectives above. You may also find the following artists/designers, books and tutorials useful to further your research: 

Books 

Hot Textiles by Kim Thittichai 

Artists/Designers 

Dawn Dupree 

Kim Thittichai 
Kirsty Whitlock 

Tutorials

Watch Textile Artist Margaret Beal fuse fabrics together using a soldering iron...

Lesson 11 and 12: Sampling in response to Textile Artists/Fashion Designers

Starter: Selected imagery

Share the piece you have selected by your chosen Textile Artist/Fashion Designer. Explain which techniques you will be exploring this week! 

Lesson Aims:

To continue developing ideas for your theme and to begin developing your technical skills in response to your chosen Textile Artist/Fashion Designer

Lesson Objectives (during this lesson you will):

1. Present your chosen Textile Artist/Fashion Designer

2. Be able to explain and demonstrate technical skills in response to Textile Artist/Fashion Designer

3. Create 3 small samples in response to Textile Artist/Fashion Designer

Tasks/Timings

You have 2 lessons this week* and homework time (4.5 hours!) to complete a series of 3 small fabric samples in response to your chosen Textile Artist/Fashion Designer. These should demonstrate strong technical skills and you must consider the following: 

• Working using techniques/processes inspired by your Textile Artist/Fashion Designer 
• Choice of materials
• Accuracy in colour 
• Depicting imagery/texture/colour relating to your chosen theme

Present the work in your sketchbook 

Present the work across a double page in your sketchbook you should include the following:

• Photographs/Drawings referred too
• 3 small samples
• fabric swatches
• collage wrap 
• Image of artists work 

*Group 1 and 2 will be working independently in classroom on Thursday (Erika will register you) and Group 3 are expected to complete work during catch up day

Plenary 

PREPARING FOR ASSESSMENT
Below is a checklist of what is expected in your sketchbook when you submit it for assessment next Monday...

• Summer Assignment: 6 pages/3 boards of work in response to your chosen theme 
• This should include a range of observational studies (drawings/photographs), fabric samples, collage, etc. 
• Mood Board
• Fine Artist Research
• Textile sample in response to Fine Artist
• Fine Art response to Fine Artist (1 large and 2 small studies) 
• Textile Artist/Fashion Designer Research
• 3 small samples in response to Textile Artist/Fashion Designer (presented as outlined above)

Homework: 

1. Complete and present research into your Textile Artist/Fashion Designer

2. Complete fabric samples 

3. Purchase 1/4 metre of Satin fabric from the college shop (£1.35!) and bring it to next Mondays lesson 

DEADLINE MONDAY 7TH OCTOBER