LEVEL 3 – CERTIFICATE
MODULE 1
LINE, colour, & texture - Theme – Strips, Stripes, Striations, Spirals & Spots!
Your First Module looks at developing skills in recording your thoughts, ideas and design concepts through mark making, tonal & textural excercises.
Your First Module looks at developing skills in recording your thoughts, ideas and design concepts through mark making, tonal & textural excercises.
These explorations will take the form of basic design methods, technical stitch processes using both hand and machine embroidery methods; by undertaking a series of designated set exercises, you are then encouraged to expand upon these through personal exploration and development of the techniques.
Stitched textiles can provide you with a wonderful dictionary of textile & stitch processes, no two students or textile artists work will be the same. The basic technique or methods might well be the underpinning , but its there the similarity ends.
Your own personal approach to developing the surface will create something uniquely yours, by layering, cutting back, adding, removing, embellishing, distressing painting, texturing etc. Your textile will be unique to you and your personal affinity with each technique.
Two famous embroiderers words of wisdom are:-
‘ nothing you do is ever wrong, it may be not quite what we had in mind, but it’s not wrong’
If you hold onto those thoughts, you will never be afraid of making a mistake, as of course you now know
that nothing you can do is wrong!!!!
Play, experiment, push the boundaries and feel liberated is the name of the game.
The NITTY GRITTY!
WITHIN THIS MODULE YOU WILL LEARN AND LOOK AT THE FOLLOWING:-
- Use of a range of different mark making media, such as, inks, graphite, graphite powder, charcoal, wax, fine, liners, chalks, litho, brusho,. walnut ink, acrylic paint. To explore Line & tone.
- You will learn a series of hand stitches, used both experimentally and creatively as well as looking at some traditional stitches and their uses. You will be able to create low relief textures and surfaces.
- You will discover how to use a wide variety of threads, their properties and qualities and considered use as well looking beyond the embroidery threads to more innovative and ‘out of the box’ suggestions as to other mixed media that can be used.
- You will gain a good basic knowledge of machine stitches, threads, an array of different presser feet such as the cording foot, pin-tuck foot , needle sizes & types , how and when to use the twin needle, wing needle as well as working with dissolveable fabric & paper. Interesting textural effects using machine techniques will enable different surface effects to be achieved.
- In addition simple background fabric colouring methods will be learnt by using, brusho, fabric paints, sprays, acrylic washes, watercolour crayons & pencils.
WALL PANEL
Linear patterns inspired by the seashore.
Free machining on soluble, textural stitch by machine ,
Fabric layers, line, tonal elements connect across the surface.
Further textural and mark making embellishment using hand stitch add detail and integration.
SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THIS MODULE WILL REQUIRE YOU TO SUBMIT FOR ASSESSMENT:-
DESIGN UNIT:
· A series of set design exercises exploring line / mark making & tone.
· 8 – 10 considered personal developed design ideas using the basic design concepts as a starting point. (4 must be of A 3 size)
· A DESIGN/MOOD Board showing a selection of favourite designs.
· A supporting note/workbook /sketchbook which lists health & safety factors during the design process, costings, make evaluative notes on processes & materials, mediums used and further ideas for exploration.. List museums, galleries, the work of other designers/maker in the field etc. Critical evaluation of the design process.
· Of these designs two must be taken into the craft unit to produce :-
o 1 resolved hand stitched sample and,
o 1 resolved machine stitch sample.
NOTE: Resolved Stitched samples should be no smaller than 6 x 6 inches (15 x 15 cm) in size.
NOTE: Presentation methods are given in the STUDENT GUIDANCE HANDBOOK
CRAFT UNIT:
Portfolio of Samples: (The portfolio of samples will be added upon throughout the modules building up into a comprehensive range of initial forays into the techniques, (also known at Windsor as scrappy samples)! Traditional and experimental approaches, which then result into Considered & resolved samples, together with notes on the techniques and ideas for further experimentation ) (see Student Guidance Handbook for presentation of this Portfolio)
· A portfolio of stitched samples, showing hand and machine processes, that explore line, mark making, tone & Texture.
· The hand stitch samples will include Linear, isolated & composite hand stitches. Quilting (English, Italian & corded quilt methods as embroidery applications) pulled & drawn thread both traditional & experimental.
· The Machine stitched samples will include a basic understanding of your machine and the effects created by altering tensions, as well as the use of the different needles & presser feet that are available .
· mark making & textural machine stitch effects.
· Methods of colouring fabrics.
You will draw upon explorations in both the Design & Craft Unit covered in module 1 and develop from initial ideas your first of the major assessments.
MAJOR CRAFT ASSESSMENT:
AN EMBROIDERED ACCESSORY OR SET OF ACCESORIES:
To complete the first module you will Design, plan, manage and present for assessment an accessory or set of accessories of your choosing (such as :- bag, set of jewellery, scarf, belt , headwear, head adornment, collar, cuff, gloves, fan or similar item)
This will include:-
· The finished item completed to a high standard
· A workbook detailing initial ideas, designs, fabric & stitch trials and supporting notes. Final selection of both design, including a working rough. Method of working, notes on materials and equipment used, health & safety considerations specific to the project, design & making costings. Contextual notes relating to historic , cultural & current trends relating to the item.
· A written critical evaluation of the project
· A presentation or mood board suitable to present to a client which demonstrates the project from concept to fruition.
SO TO SUM UP.................
v A VARIETY OF DESIGN DEVELOPMENT & RELATED SAMPLING , SUPPORTING NOTES, CRITCIAL EVALUATION & MOOD BOARD,
v THE FIRST PART OF YOUR PORTFOLIO OF SAMPLES. SUPPOTING NOTES , RESOLVED SAMPLES
v A N ACCESSORY OR SET OF ACCESSORIES , SUPPORTING WORKBOOK, CRITICAL EVALUATION & RELATED DESIGN/MOOD BOARD
Although this may sound a lot, exercises overlap and it is delivered in a structured way so it is easy to follow through, but also allows for total free expression and interpretation.
EACH MODULE IS ALSO THEMED TO HELP FOCUS WITHIN AN AREA OF INTEREST.
Stitched sample showing tone, textural elements within the theme of Strips, Stripes, Striations, Spirals & Spots.
Machine & Hand stitch add detail and interest to link through the design.
