My Design Work

Laser Cutting

In order to explore further effects I explored the use of the laser cutter. The pieces that I created were images from my sketchbook with a grid in the background of the image. These laser cuts created quite a beautiful effect when covering a fabric which catches the light such as silk. I think that the idea of something being visible and at the same time hidden can be useful as my project progresses.

Knitting

My early knitted samples were created using the Monarch knitting machine and were knitted images inspired by my sketchbook drawings. However, these fabrics were limited in regards to dying with the use of natural dyes. 

I have since started using separate knitting machines with which I can use yarns with the capability of being dyed naturally. I would like to expand on this method of knitting as this creates great scope with my desire to create effects using natural dyes.

This dark blue knitted scarf has stripes knitted in silk which has been dyed with Madder and Saffron. The hank is a cotton/wool mix and has been dyed with Logwood, Brazilwood and Weld.

Digital Printing

As part of my project I did some experimentation with the drying and pressing of plants. As well as bonding these together in order to create fabrics I took photographs of these and created compositions on Photoshop with the use of filters and blending techniques. Due to the complexity of these images I decided to transfer these images onto fabric by using digital printing.

Li

The term Li refers to naturally occurring patterns in nature. 

I want to incorporate these patterns into the print designs for my final garments.

I really like the look of these patterns and especially the textures they create. However, I did want to come up with a more abstract design and I feel that these textures need to be contained within a pattern.

I want to see what a Li pattern within a Li pattern would look like.

I really like this effect as although I am creating a recognised natural pattern, the texture it is filled with is a relatively unrecognised Li pattern which creates a more abstract effect.

I really like the idea of creating a large scale design which wraps around a garment. This does however create difficulties when printing on a completed garment or printing the pattern pieces and sewing the garment together. 

In order to test this, I want to create dress samples and print a large scale design which wraps around the garment to analyse the effect this creates.  

I think for the sample dress I will use the fern design as I think this would be the most challenging and interesting one to use.

For the designs I do want to include some of my own drawing so I will draw the fern silhouettes, scan these and fill them with plant texture in Photoshop.

In order to anchor the drawings, I want to incorporate the Golden Section which represents the geometry of nature. The shape I have chosen to use to represent this is an ammonite.

For the approximate length and shape of the designs, I made a practice dress out of calico and used tracing paper, wrapped these around the dress to judge the look of the final design.

Final designs 

I am happy with the look of these designs and really like the way that I could use the ammonite pattern to produce a really beautiful swirl on the unfurling fern design. 

I think maybe I could have gotten away with doing more though, I kept the design simple so as not be over powering but I actually think that it may create a design that is too subtle.

For future designs, I will look into either a stronger design or delicate designs but more of them.