Evaluation: Sampling

Evaluation: Sampling 

In this unit, we learnt various techniques and explored, developed and experimented with embroidery and mixed media using these methods to produce a series of samples.  

The techniques I learnt in this unit included tailor tacking; pin-tucking; hair-pinning; chain stitching using the Cornelia machine; Laser cutting; dyeing and printing; using the Big Bernina; attending an induction for button-holing as well as attending the Friday drawing classes each week to improve drawing.

My colour choices of blue/yellow/green, were chosen from a photograph which I took of a dead tree.  I tried out all methods I was taught, but the most successful have been tailor-tacking and pin-tucking with twin needles (2, 3 and 4mm separation) and different feet, to give different sizes of tucks. 

I like the texture of the fabric when it has been pin-tucked and the way it is manipulated. Also, I like the thought of using an already designed fabric and pin-tucking it to manipulate the design.   

With tailor-tacking, I like the way it gave a feathery texture, the effect of changing the tension and the difference in either leaving or removing the top thread. 

I like the technique of hair-pinning, but although I produced a number of samples, I didn’t like many of them, so I need to work into this more.

I thought I had to do a lot of work on one sample, but from the review I got from my tutor, I understood that it was all right to be simple, and the samples I like the most from this unit are the simplest. 

Sampling

Sampling: Mid-point review

Within this unit, my confidence has grown through learning new techniques, shown by my tutors and then going on to develop it further through independent study using the uni facilities and outside.  In the sampling unit I have learnt more printing, dyeing, embroidery using the Cornelia machine and different techniques using the Bernina, such as pin-tucking, hair pinning and tailor-tacking.

 

I didn’t expect to be printing and dyeing, because I thought this unit would be purely embroidery, sitting by a machine, but I like it very much that there are different parts to embroidery.  I was very scared of dyeing in the beginning but am more confident with it now, but I still need to improve in getting the colour I want.

I am motivated to work independently, and I understand what is happening with the unit now.  There was one week when I was very confused and not sure what to do, so I ended up not doing much, to my disappointment.  However, now that I have learnt so many techniques, I don’t have that confusion, because I can use them.

By attending the bi-weekly meetings, I haven’t missed any of the important teaching of techniques. I have attended all the meetings and classes hosted by my personal tutor.

For further development, I need to work on combining the techniques I have learnt to broaden myself.  I tend to work in very simple ways, which is good in some ways, but I need to get beyond the restrictions.