Data: Fingerprints

Looking at my first drawings, I continued to look at the idea of fingerprints, incorporating the technique of machine stitch into my samples. I used a standard embroidery foot, following one of my previous drawings in my sketchbook, and attempting to follow the pattern on the machine. After looking at the sample, I decided that I actually preferred the reverse side of the piece, as some of the stitches had been pulled away from the fabric due to the tension settings. 

Workshop: Hand Knitting

Today I FINALLY mastered a skill I've always dreaded.... hand knitting. Being left handed has always put me off in the past, especially because I have to learn everything backwards, so in previous attempts I have usually just given in. However today I went in with an open mind, and with Lesley putting up with my moaning and constant errors, I managed to master the art of hand-knit quite quickly. The experience was a lot of fun, and I have to say I am ever s proud of my first sample!

Data: First Ideas

Today I have started putting down my first ideas of what 'data' means to me. In the previous unit, Origins, I was told that I should try to create more mark-making in my sketchbook- therefore I started to look at fingerprints. They create such a beautiful pattern, and it is intriguing that no two are the same. Firstly I played with the idea of my own mark-making through the use of finger-painting, then moved onto looking at the patterns that they make.

Further into this topic I feel I will have to start looking into other relevant work to do with the body- maybe the idea of body measurements, so that I don't become bored with the unit.  

Origins Evaluation

During the embroidery unit, I feel as though I have learnt to develop my work- in the terms of learning new skills, techniques and approaches to my work. The Origins unit; based upon the idea of journeys, has been a learning curve, and allowed my ideas to develop and grow through the use of new media and technique. At first, I was very overwhelmed with the idea of starting work at degree level, finding it rather strange, yet incredibly fascinating seeing very different styles of work together. Having said this, now that the unit has finished- there is a significant change to my ways of working, shown through both my practice and research.

 I have spent the first term in the textiles world of embroidery. This is something that I have always enjoyed, so being allowed to study this for the past six weeks has allowed my creativity to develop easily. I spent the first three weeks of the textiles world in hand embroidery, focusing on the idea of the exploration of stitch when combined with different fabrics. This taught me the differences between thicknesses of fabrics, and the best approaches whilst working with them. I don't think that I enjoyed hand embroidery as much as I could have done, mostly down to finding it difficult to organise both my stitching and sketchbook pieces at the same time. For the second part of the course, I studied machine embroidery. I have always felt more comfortable using machine stitch- I have really enjoyed being taught to use a range of new feet including the tailor-tack and pin-tuck, all of which have produced a good amount of samples that I am pleased with.

Whilst being critiqued on my work, one of the most valuable pieces of advice that I was given was to edit down my work. My style of work has always been based on detail- when using the Bernina machines I always prefer to fill the given space- however I have now realised that the most simple approaches can sometimes be the best. I was told in one critique that producing work is about quantity, not quality- the more you make, the more likely it is to end up with good work. Personally I disagree with this statement, as if I am creating work that I do not value, it usually goes straight into the bin.

I have found it hard linking the journey project and embroidery together at first- I now know that before starting my work I need to have a good idea of what I am trying to achieve, this way I know that I will always enjoy what it is I am trying to create. I really valued something that Kate said in a workshop once- it is best to collect everything into an invisible net, and then slowly edit it down, to create the best pieces of work.

I am going to tackle my next unit differently, in order to achieve the best work that I possibly can. To do this I will be looking closely at the relationships that can be found between both my practice and research, experiment with a wider variety of techniques and medias, and use my time a lot more effectively. I now know that I need to keep on top of my work at all times, else I panic and am unable to achieve my best. Overall I am very happy with the end result of this unit. I am definitely going into my new textile world with a lot more confidence, ideas and a positive attitude.