I know I said I would probably update around the the first day of my course. That was a lie. Not intentionally, I didn't realise that I wouldn't do it, but I've had so much to do since moving in on the 4th to now that I've barely had a moment spare!
Freshers week was amazing, what I remember of it! (Oops) It was a very very hectic two weeks, full of activity, music, food and booze! But once freshers was over, it was time to settle down and start doing some real work.
My course started on the 20th of September, and time has flown since then! I didn't really like it to start with, I was so nervous, and my first class was drawing, which isn't really my thing. We had a lot of "ice-breaker" sessions, which just made me feel very uncomfortable (but that's my problem not theirs!) and I was starting to become very worried about my choice of course!
Once we actually got started on textiles work, I was a bit happier, but we started with the print and dye rotation, which I was dreading. I've always hated screen-printing, so I wasn't looking forward to it, but once I got there realised screen printing wasn't even a part of it. It was awesome, we were learning to dye fabrics and yarn using natural dyes that we made ourselves - using fruit, veg, and spices. We also learnt how to use synthetic dyes, which produce a much brighter colour, but I don't like the process as much. We also learnt to use Shibori techniques, which is basically the Japanese word for Tie-dye, but it was a lot more complex and interesting than the stuff I did as a kid!
After print and dye, we moved onto embroidery, which I was quite looking forward to. I HATED it!! It just wasn't for me, all my samples looked silly, and I felt very disappointed.
We then moved onto weave, which I am still doing now. We have been working on the 8 shaft looms and I love it! I knew I would because I've always been interested in the process of weave, we've been using different patterns, handmade yarns, and various other processes to create a series of beautiful samples. We have also been learning hand weaving techniques like coiling, or basket-weaving (same thing!) Next week is my last week of weaving, then I move onto knit after Christmas which I am SO excited about! I cannot wait to start knitting, I've not had time to do any for myself since I started so I can't wait.
After the four rotations are complete, we choose our specialism, and work solely in that area. I think mine will be a difficult choice between weave and knit. This isn't all we've been doing though, we've also had a "miscellaneous" section, where we learnt techniques including origami, crochet, and rug tufting.
The course is amazingly full, very VERY challenging, with a ridiculous amount of work, but although I am ready for a break now, I'm completely in my element. I love it! Oh, and we had an assessment of the first 8 weeks, and I came back with 65%, which is a 2:1, so I was VERY happy!
I will try and update more often from now on, but it is very difficult, as I have to write a separate blog for the course as well! For now I will leave you with some pictures (I have very few at the moment unfortunately) of the stuff we have been doing, and ciao for now! :) xx
Origami Windmill
Origami Butterfly
Group work - Catherine Bertola workshop
(Research Catherine Bertola, and amazing installation artist)
Shibori dying, using indigo
More Shibori dying
