Samples Evaluation

For my Textiles Sampling, I explored a variety of techniques and processes to experiment with my theme, designs and colour scheme. Due to my screens not exposing and not being successful after several attempts, it was transferred my final outcome to the digital textiles route to become a print. To solve the problem of sampling, I created miniature screens which were A4 size that included 2 sections of my final piece with 3 layers. This was a successful sample outcome as it allowed me to create a large sample of experiments which explored colour scheme, materials and finishes. Firstly, I experimented with the traditional materials “Calico” and “Cotton” to produce samples. Whilst exploring the materials, I experimented with colour schemes obtained from my final design sheet and visual outcomes. When transferring my final outcome colour (pink, purple and white) on Calico I noticed that the layout didn’t make the design stand out compared to the cotton which made the piece engaging. However through “Calico” my other sample colours worked successfully which includes (red, black yellow) (purple, red, black) and (red, orange yellow). All the colours worked successfully on the cotton material but both transferred the designs accurately onto the surface. To expand my knowledge and sampling, I incorporated puff binder which raised the surface of the designs to create texture. I liked using the technique as I believed that the samples produced made the pieces stand out further and incorporate intricate details. The puff binder worked successfully on a variety of surfaces and allowed me to experiment with colour. Within puff binder, I transferred the designs onto a material chiffon which is a black piece of fabric. This allowed me to explore with different surfaces but wasn’t successful as I could not layer the screens together to create a final outcome. This was also discovered with puff binder as I could only use it on one layer only. Through my materials I also explored, Azeta, Habotai and recycled materials to transfer screen designs and processes onto the surfaces. Overall, the traditional materials had the best outcome and also allowed me to include further sampling. I also, dyed some cotton fabrics to experiment screen-printing on different surfaces which included yellow and red. These colours worked successfully and allowed me to change the colour scheme to explore further. To experiment further I used embroidery to work into the design to make specific areas stand out which includes the “dog balloon” characters and “helter skelter”. For the embroidery I used metallic thread which was a new material I haven’t used before which gave rainbow colours that suited the design and theme perfectly. However, a problem I faced was that the material broke easily which was difficult to build up design and texture. For embroidery I also used traditional threads that were successful as they allowed me to build designs up effectively. Within Textiles, I developed my confidence with batik and created some free hand drawings that resembled my final chosen designs and colour scheme. I have previous experience with this technique but I developed my confidence to work independently. Also, within Textiles, I continued to gain the skill of knitting which I haven’t learnt before specialising in the workshop. I believe that I have gained confidence with the technique as I can now cast on more colours to create a series of colour schemes which related back to my final chosen colour. From all of the workshop tasks and samples I have enjoyed knitting the most as I found it a calming technique which allowed me to relate it back to my theme and incorporate a variety of colours.  As well as knitting, I also completed machine knitting samples which was a more accurate sample which still incorporated my final chosen colours. However, a problem I faced was that the wool was thin which broke very easily on the knitting machine causing gaps within the design. Weaving was also an area I created samples for through the task as I continued to incorporate my final chosen colour scheme and colour experimentations. I built up the weaving through experimenting with different patterns, building up the pieces and combining them together to join all of the colours together. I have developed my confidence with weaving to work independently to produce effective outcomes and explored a variety of patterns that I can achieve. All the samples produced have been placed together into a folder to show my journey through the project towards my final piece and outcome. I have enjoyed screen-printing and knitting and I am wanting to continue to develop these skills further into the course. All the samples produced are labelled with descriptions of techniques, materials and dyes.