Unit x: Evaluation

I have used unit x as a continuation of working progress from the previous unit. The idea of fusing tradition with contemporary is something that has fuelled my work. Using geometric forms and vivid eye catching colours together with traditional techniques of patchwork and quilting has allowed me to produce quilted forms with a contemporary aesthetic.

I have proceeded with the Gawthorpe live project which will result in a piece of work being chosen and exhibited at the knitting and stitching show. Having this as the context for my work has greatly influenced my choices in terms of; scale and edging, as work produced for the show will have to be of a professional standard. For hand in I will have a set of finished quilts and a set or working quilts.

My development throughout this project has been constant and steady. There are clear links and connections from the initial inspiration of the Bauhaus movement, Gawthorpe quilt work and personal initial drawing with my final outcomes. 

Bauhaus inspiration

Quilted geometric form

I have improved my critical and analytical skills within this unit, as seen through the blog. For example, the quilter stitched out singular triangles and then secured them. This process left me with built up stitch areas and having to reprogram after each shape. To eradicate this I created my own continuous triangle design on the stitch software, this process was quite difficult however the new stitch took the time from three to two hours to stitch out. I also found quicker ways of creating patches which shortened the cutting out stages slightly.

This unit has allowed me to refine my skills and develop my knowledge of edgings. I was struggling to edge my quilts without losing the sharp corner however after trial and error as well as researching I found a way using binding. This has allowed my work to be finished to a higher standard relevant with stitch show.

bias binding corner

bias binding corner

I have created my work primarily for the stich show, however they also fit into the higher end interior context due to the contemporary aesthetic. Places such as HAY and Pentreath &Hall are the context where I see my work due to the one off nature of the quilts. Falling into both retail and crafts contexts gives me more opportunities as a practitioner to get my work seen but also be able to create an income.

HAY Interiors

Knitting and Stitching show

In terms of the future I am hoping to become a secondary teacher however I would still continue with quilt making and have shown my professionalism by researching into how other quilt makers sell their products privately as seen on my blog. I have priced up my own quilt in terms of material, this is something I will look into more in the future.

I have created a portfolio with drawing and patch plans as well as setting up an Instagram and website to give myself an online presence. This will allow my work to be seen on a variety of platforms which will increase my chances of networking online possibly leading to collaborations and jobs in the future. I have also sent my CV off for a teaching job starting in September.

Textiles Instagram account

Textiles Website

After university I plan to exhibit my work at the Knit and Stitch show and keep up to date online. Once established I plan to buy a private domain to give a more professional feel for prospective job opportunities.

finalized quilt

Finalized quilt

finalized quilt

Unit X: Pricing up for the future

This week I researched as to how I could sell me quilts if I decided to take that route. Whilst researching I found a few quilters that sell via blog as can be seen below. If I was to make to sell I think this is the method I would choose as it cost anything to set it up to sell the quilts so I would maximize on profits and I would be in control of what goes where.

Selling quilts via Blogger

In terms of the price of selling quilts. In order to do this I decided to price up the cost of a quilt for example the pink and blue triangular quilt:

1½ metre of pink and blue cotton at £3.40

1 metre of plain white cotton at £4.30

1 metre of natural raised cotton at £3.70

Total= £13.10

Close up of quilt

This is just the cost of the cottons themselves so I would have to cost in the quilter and have to find another way of quilting after university. The costing up is something I will continue looking into after university and the knitting and stitching show

Unit X: Online presence

This week I have been researching into contemporary quilt makers and how they show their work. Owens Olivia a contemporary design company is someone who has been highly influential in my practice work. I found this company when researching online, it is clear that in today’s society for my work to be seen it needs to be seen online. Because of this I have decided to create an online start up website witch wiks.com. My idea is that to start with I will make the free website just to start getting my work out there and then after I have concentrated on and finished with the Gawthhorpe brief I will build up my online presence as I continue with my personal work. I will then get my own domain website with just my name. I also have started an Instagram as social media is a great platform to get work seen as it can be seen anywhere at any time. I took these ideas from the getting seen lecture. Also with Instagram I will be able to network with other likeminded creatives which could set up collaborative opportunities for the future. I am also going to create an art school page so my work will be in the archive.

Screen shot of instagram

Instagram: @lucytaafetextiles

Website: http://lucytaafe.wix.com/lucytaafe

Screenshot of website

Unit X: Development (overcoming issues)

I had the issue from practice unit with the quilter that I try to stitch out a triangle it secured each singular triangle leaving me with parts of thick stitching, this also made the process take a lot longer. To rectify this issue I used the computer and created my own stitch design of a continuous line triangle. I found this process quite tricky as there were many steps to take to get the continuous factor for the triangles. After using the triangle to stitch out it took my stitch out time from three hours to 2 hours successfully.

Print out of designed triangles

Another issue I have was with a bubble design which I stitched out with. This left an open edge at then end of the design as you can see from the photograph below. To combat this I used the quilter technology and learnt how to wrap a design which allowed me to keep the design in a specific area but allowed me to pull it through. I used the wrapped design to stitch out and the problem had been irradiated.

Stitch out after wrapping

Stitch out before wrapping

Unit X: Development

Throughout this unit I have continued to develop my work. I have took initial inspiration and artist influence and used it to firstly create a body of drawing and patch ideas then sampling in the practice unit and now onto working an finished quilts. I have improved my skills in terms of material choice and edgings. There are clear links from my initial research and inspiration throughout my body of work.

Initial Bauhaus Inspiration

Patch idea collages

Geometric quilt

I have experimented with a variety quilting techniques and threads for example poly thread double thickness quilting thread and embroidery thread finding that it is in fact embroidery thread that works best for my quilts as it is thick enough to see but doesn’t distract from the patchwork pattern which the double thickness and varied threads seemed to do.

I have found specific things that work well for example colour matching blue and orange and used this throughout. After hand in I will continue to develop and create quilts for both the Gawtorpe brief but also for my own personal practice.

Unit X: Job opportunity

This week w found out about a job opportunity for a textile teach at St Anselms preparatory school. As this is something I want as a career for my future I created a CV and sent it off to the school and hope to hear back in due time. This opportunity has set in my mind the importance of a portfolio so that I will have a strong varied portfolio to take to interviews with me.

Print screen of CV

Unit X: Context

As I am creating work for the knit and stitch show my work will fit the context. The show is the most highly regarded textiles and craft show in the UK takes place from 5th - 9th October 2016. Due to its reputation all the work shown there is to an extremely high standard therefor my quilt work will have to equal that, this means making sure edge treatments are perfect.

The Knitting and Stitching show

In terms of context I feel my work is aiming more at high end interiors; one off contemporary pieces. HAY is a high end design company for interiors from tables to kitchenware. This where I see my work fitting. The geometric forms also relate to my own work and that of the Bauhaus movement. I also plan to look into way of being able to make and sell quilts privately.

HAY interiors