Unit X Project - Week Two

This week I have continued with my mark making sketches, however I'm beginning to explore ways I can further develop them into a design. I've chosen to take a more geometric route; it's an area I am known for using within my work, therefore I think it is a strong way to portray my 'handwriting' through my designs, as I combine them with Margo Selby's. Even though circular shapes can be currently found on trend, I believe that this route is too similar to the 'bubble wrap' concept of Selby's. 

I really like using the metallic (outer space trend) to add a more unusual twist on the designs - this is something I'm not used to, as I much prefer using flat colours and yarns, however I'm happily surprised by the outcome! 

After a conversation I had with a fellow intern whilst at Margo Selby, I was introduced to the world of 'creating your own yarn' and  a book by Sutton and Sheehan in particular. I then went about experimenting with different ways to create new and exciting yarns; whether it was by sewing a variety of threads together, producing twine from old fabric off-cuts or knitting tubes, I was exploring a route which I never imagined myself taking. It is suggestions like this that I need to be making to myself, to make the most of this university opportunity and decide correctly where I want my future to go! 

Even though I'm proud of myself for learning these new skills and exploring a different path, I don't feel that these 'yarns' are suitable for my collection. I love the texture given when you sew a huge variety of different threads together, however I don't think I've found the perfect threads yet...the don't make a statement and the ends are far too long. On the other hand, the tubes produced from both hand and finger knitting are far too structured and I believe they will be difficult to weave with. (I hope to explore this over the next few weeks.) I'm planning on designing a yarn which has the perfect balance between structure and texture, whilst also showing the definition of the shapes in my woven fabric samples. 

I've finally started bringing a little bit of colour into my illustrations to differentiate between flat yarn and textured yarn. I've also discovered the 'Indian Yellow' trend, however I don't think I'm going to continue further with it, as I don't feel that it gives as much of an impact or statement as acid yellow. 

I've also tried to incorporate other recognisable patterns and styles from Selby's designs, into my own work, so to show the collaboration connection. For example, I've experimented with varying the size of my drawings, in a similar effect to her Dogstar fabric.