Art Diploma Blog Ellie Fisher: 27th May Applique, Batik and Puff Binder

On Thursday 26^th May, I continued to generate further sampling within the Textiles studio but also gain inspiration and progression towards my final piece. Within the studio workshop afternoon it consisted of problem solving and planning towards my final piece were I worked backed into my screen-printing samples with a textured process called applique. The development of the technique has allowed me to outline and progress towards my final piece which was a worry and problem faced within the process of generating samples to create a tapestry outline. Also within the studio task I have continued to complete my batik process and work within the surface of the design through textured screen layers to make some pieces unique and connect to the aspect of my theme well. The task has allowed me to progress and combine layers of screen-printing well to the Batik designs to show a sense of justice and graffiti styled outcomes. Also, the task has allowed me to combine sources and show progression and development from previous samples. Within the studio task I have developed further experimental sources through screen layers onto the applique technique it has allowed me to identify an area in which I am wanting to take forward into my design and final development progression. Through the experimental progression and development I have produced screen-print samples onto my previous developed dyed fabrics with the combination of an experimented technique puff binder. The workshop task has allowed me to plan, prepare and organise samples and solutions within the studio to create a final solution and outline towards my final project. Planning and production has been captured through the elements of gaining materials and sources to complete the tasks including my blue card, costing sheet and achieving materials within the fashion studio. The task has allowed me to problem solve practical and theoretical problems within the studio to complete samples to a high standard. The piece has allowed me to plan and prepare through organising my time efficiently within the Textiles studio to achieve the most samples within the time scale given. Finally, the task has allowed me to use development within practical solutions to create a diverse range of samples within Textiles.

To start the task I generated the final outcome of samples for the Batik designs created previously in the week. For the designs to be completed the wax needed to be removed within the surface to complete a clean and smooth finish. This was completed through an iron to remove the excess wax away from the surface which was captured through newsprint. Health and safety was maintained from the technique and hands were placed away from the iron to avoid the risk of burning. Also this was maintained to avoid the iron being in contact with skin. Once the process was completed 3 of my samples generated where taken back into the studio for further development. This amount was selected to show my inspiration and the development within the process and how the element was influential towards my project. To include further aspects of design and the sense of justice the piece was developed with my screen layer taken from the final outcome. I decided to incorporate the design layout of the miner’s face which was repeated across the design to show development and further textured layers. The design was created because it gave a sense of graffiti and a rebellious perspective towards the positive miners’ strike against the government. Also, the design incorporates an industrial perspective with the chosen colour and outline. For the process to work I planned and prepared for the layout through gum strip and newsprint which ensured a blocked outcome. This captured the design well and allowed me to take inspiration previously from my knowledge of creative business cards. For both layers to work it was placed around the writing well and created an overall effective appearance. The designs are demonstrated below. The outcome has been influential and inspirational through the combination of techniques and this element will be contributed further towards my project development. I was pleased with the balance of both themes well within the design outlook. To complete the process, the designs were ironed again to maintain a straight and smooth appearance.

placed under iron

From Previous Design

Samples with iron

Completed Surface Design

Completed Iron Surface

Final Outlook

Next I focused with developing my surface design of dyed fabrics previously created within Textiles. It has given me the opportunity to work with my 4^th layer to produce puff binder samples and displays the combination of layers which is my initial idea and outcome towards the project display. The pieces have been reinforced through experimented colour schemes and combined layers displayed within my sketchbook. It has allowed me to work within different surface backgrounds to suit restraints and colour differences with the experimentations. As the colours were faded doing the progression it was seen as a restraint within the project but worked well with my favour because it would capture the surface and foreground designs more effectively. I planned my time efficiently and placed all the background layers onto the design first to be dried and completed for puff binder. The process of puff binder is a substance in which reacts with heat to produce a textured appearance and surface design texture. The piece has been influential as it gives a industrial appearance with the textured grainy and brittle surface. As the material was pleased onto faded fabric it worked effectively as it stood out within the piece and complimenting the design outcome well. The substance was fed through the surface with a squeegee and transferred to the heat gun for progression of the raised surface. Health and safety was maintained throughout the task to ensure the risk of injury. The heat gun was placed away from hands as it would cause damage to the skin with the high continuous raised temperatures. A problem I faced with the heat gun was that the surface caused damaged when in contact with the machine which led to burning and impacting the appearance. To solve the problem with further samples the heat gun was placed away from the design to avoid the risk of burning with developed outcomes. Within the fabric the puff binder worked effectively as it allowed me to express the small intricate details displayed through the surface and the industrial aspect of the design. Through the combination of the textured surface it has complimented the industrial outlines well and effectively. The outcomes are displayed below.

outcomes of both designs

puff binder sample

Puff Binder substance

Puff Binder Development

Puff Binder Surface

Next I completed an influential workshop task which was the exploration of the sewing machine and process known as applique. The technique is described as “ornamental needlework in which pieces of fabric are sewn or stuck on to a larger piece to form a picture or pattern”. The process has been used previously through the works of Tracy Emin and Grayson Perry within the studied tapestry pieces and I wanted to incorporate this aspect further. It was inspirational to see from the studies of the artists and pieces given within the introduction as it provided a well detailed and crafted piece with a sense of expression and individuality within the surface of the design. The process can be completed through the foreground and background elements of design shown on the example I was given. The exploration of the theme has been very inspiring towards my self-directed project as I felt I struggled to incorporate further design ideas within the surface of the original screen-print banner idea. I felt that my designs were too basic and needed further work within the design which led me to look back into my sketchbook and research to achieve this outcome. I was extremely pleased with this discovery as It gave me the confidence to problem solve and plan ahead within the project to create a final piece with this technique. To explore with the style, I obtained samples previously generated and recycled fabrics achieved within the Textiles studio. Next I captured a diverse range of shapes to cover the designs and create patterns within the surface. Initially I started to develop circular shapes and lines that were placed onto the white and silhouette areas of my design. To ensure the pieces would work they were pinned down and placed through the sewing machine. For my choice of machine I decided to use Husqueverna because it was a suitable machine in which I have gained previous knowledge and understanding off when developed into the surface. For the setting of the design it needed to be planned well because the process of the design needed to include a striking stitch to combine the areas together. At first a running stitch was used which wasn’t successful as it couldn’t rotate well with the continuous lines and forms. Next I focused with the stitch 2 within the husqueverna machine which worked perfectly as It created a striking zig zag form that could be developed and rotated easily. All of the stiches were highlighted and displayed within my technical file. I continued to use this stitch throughout the process and discovered the width of the thread depended on the speed within the foot pedal. This was an important aspect in which I needed to consider when progressing with the design further. Throughout the process black thread was used to capture the bold outlines of the outcome well within the surface of each designs. This was thread up correctly within the machine but problems were faced with my bobbin. Due to the bobbin it caused the machinery to block within some areas of the stitching. To solve the problem, the bobbin was removed and attached a couple of times to achieve the effective outcome and display well. Once the processes were generated, I decided to expand the technique further to create a border around the pieces. This was done by layered fabrics of shapes that were stitched together creating a raised surface around the screen-print design. From observing the piece, it was more effective as it created a balance of the applique process and maintaining the engaging screen-print. From completing the design this gave me further inspiration as the border outline would work well as a sense of division between screen-samples that would be effective to create a tapestry work. As through the works of Tracey Emin she also uses this technique within her tapestry pieces to incorporate and highlight particular areas of the surface design. Also within the studies of Grayson Perry and Tracey Emin I have also captured the sense of nationality and strong display of flags produced within the works. This was influential and connected to the samples of borders well as it gave a sense of pride and unity with the traditional craft being transformed into the piece. As it was also displayed through tapestry banners it contributes to my progression and development well with the technique. This design aspect will be moved forward into the final stage with the chosen technique of applique. The method has been inspiring as it has captured the layouts well and demonstrated a sense of balance between both separate elements. It contributes to the project outcome well and develops a diverse range of practical skills within one piece sampling. Next I am going to explore this aspect further to produce a final outlook of experimentation and sampling. I was extremely pleased with the workshop task as it gave me the drive and determination to produce an initial and effective solution towards the design. It has provided my independence to capture and learn from research to be incorporated into my own style and process. The designs well be inspired from this discovered within the textiles workshop and I will be continuing to produce further samples to demonstrate my understanding and progression effectively.