As part of my first year, I chose to complete a support module in repeat pattern textile design. I was the only non-fashion/textiles student and although I completed the same tasks as they did, my instincts as a graphic designer seemed to come through sub-consciously. This was one of my favourite modules from my entire degree and inspired me to continue using textiles as part of my graphic design work.
We had to complete a collection of final samples, including 4 ink and bleach pieces which are shown below. I painted a square of black ink and then printed with objects dipped in bleach. We had to combine embroidery on all of our pieces which is why there is sewn in detail.
Above: Berol pen lid print
Below: Splayed paintbrush and brush handle print
Above: Paperclip print
Below: Lego block print
For the majority of my samples I used a process somewhat similar to screen-printing. I cut stencils, laid them under a silkscreen and then using a squeegee I pulled a layer of 'discharge paste' down the screen which then pushed the paste through the holes in the stencils. The samples were then dried and ironed and the design which had been bleached out of the fabric with the paste showed through. Again I used hand-embroidery to add detail and deliberately ripped the samples to give it a rough and ragged edge.
Above: Rhymes I made up about 3 fashion models.
Below: Stencil style portraits of fashion models.
Above: Stripes with French Knot detailing.
Below: Inspired by paper-chain dolls.
Above: Pacman
Below: Block print with traintrack embroidery.
Above: Animal stripes.
Below: Double imagery; if you look at the beige shapes you can see a curved shape, triangle and rectangle. But if you focus on the black areas you can see a paper-chain doll pattern.
Above: Tetris style stencil
Below: Fashion model names
For the rest of our samples we had to demonstrate an awareness and ability of using the knit machine, both with punch-hole and continuous knit. Punch-hole knitting requires you to use a special card to create your design by punching holes in specific places and then you feed it through the knit machine and it knits the correct colour in the right places. For my piece I did a Pacman design (as shown below).
We also had to use the overlocker machine to 'seal' our knit samples (the white thread at the top) which was very difficult to get the hang of, hence my wobbly line!
Below: Continuous knit sample with hand-tied 1 ply bows.
This support module allowed me to create some of my favourite work to date.
