Textile Workshops

Laying out fibres

I am currently running a series of textile workshops organised by Prism Arts for Cumbria Cerebral Palsy. Last week we did some felt making and this week we continued with felt making but looked at making 3D forms using a plastic resist. When we have made our felt we will look at different ways of embellishing it, such as using stitch, beads and maybe some printing.

Rolling

More rolling

Lots of fluff!

I am really enjoying running these sessions. The guys are keen to learn and have some excellent ideas and are picking up the techniques really well. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished pieces and seeing where the work will lead us.

Finished felt piece from last week

Finished felt piece from last week

Finished felt piece from last week

Finished felt piece from last week

One of the group did not want to do felt making, she wanted to continue developing her embroidery skills that she had learnt from previous workshops. Last week she did a beautiful rose design which I printed up for her and this week she began stitching it. It's good to have people doing different things as it helps spark off new ideas and leads to a more diverse, creative feel to the sessions. For example, the colours this lady had chosen inspired one of the other group members to use a similar colour combination for his 3D felt piece.

Rose design in print and stitch

Banner Making at Rockcliffe

Screen Printed Designs

My major project of last week was being at Rockcliffe C of E Primary School doing two days of banner making with the students. Last year I worked with the school as part of my job at Heathlands and it was such a nice place to work that I asked if they wanted a freelance artist to work with them. Luckily for me they said yes and said they wanted to do a banner for the Olympics. So, I put my thinking cap on and came up with a design. I'm currently somewhat regretting this design as it involves making 5 3D rings which are proving rather more problematic than I anticipated. However, the bit where I was in school working with the students was great fun.

Collagraph Patch

I worked with each different class group and taught each group a different printing technique. Each class group had chosen a colour and continent relating to the Olympic rings and looked at the Olympic values as a starting point for their designs. I got each group to print on their chosen colour fabric in the same colour (e.g. green on green) to keep the finished rings looking professional but I did use puff binder so that the designs would stand out and make the banner more tactile. Each child had a patch of fabric which they printed on and I'm currently sewing them all together to make the rings.I think the children really enjoyed the process and have come up with some great results. There are several things I would change were I to do this project again but that's all part of the experience!

Block Printed Patches

The staff were all really supportive, even though I turned their class rooms into mess pits and I hope to work with the school again. I'm looking forward to running an after school session for parents and members of the community to make the patches for the final ring next week.

Lino Printed Patch

(Almost) finished ring. This is going to be big

Lino Prints stitched together

Cyclist

Strip of patches hanging over my door

One more thing...

This week I finally completed a small 3D piece that I started in about May last year. I'd do a bit then he'd be forgotten or put to the side for a bit and so on until finally, he is complete. He's built from a paper and wire frame, papier maiche, paint and lace. He's sat on my bookshelf and I think he's lovely!