RESEARCH- TEXTILES

For this costume (or challenge as I like to refer to it) I want it to incorporate different textiles and different textures, to create the folky/ handmade look which is so prevalent in the traditional costumes. I also need to look into which fabrics are best to print on, and if I'm printing digitally I have to consider matching that fabric to whatever I choose to print on.

I'm particulary inspired by the traditional mask below that use different fabrics quite heavily to create the idea of fur or feathers- whilst also emphasising the handmade/ 'unprofessional' overall feel of the costume.

[a]

I like the weaving below as it creates texture and different shapes, and weaving is something I would like to explore as I want to juxtapose some of the illustrated panels with some more textured parts. The geometric shapes and patterns I think would especially work and break up a fully illustrated costume:

[b]

[c]

I don't think that I will be able to learn how to weave patterns in time, especially as I have to try and make the other things that I want to achieve with the costume, but by using different thicknesses of wool/ thread fabric (like the pastel number above) I could experiment with creating a weaving that has a patterned look without being too fiddly to create! I want to get a small loom anyway and experiment with some fabric.

As I want to create a patchwork fabric for the body of my bear, I had a look at some folk patchwork blankets for some inspiration. A couple of years a go, I went to a British Folk Art exhibition at the Tate, and they a lot of different textiles on display- including some massive patchwork blankets with intricate patterns:

[d]

I would like to achieve just the sheer size of the blanket above! However I want to use my illustrations to create more of a story patchwork and use less decorative shapes.

I tried to find some examples of illustrated blankets/ printed blankets to see if there is anything similar out there to what I am trying to create. I found this image of a cyanotype printed patchwork by Hannah Lamb, which uses delicate imagery to create a beautiful patchwork

[e]

The fabric that I want to print on needs to be receptive to the printing ink, so I'm going to experiment with using curtain lining that I have found.Mark has also kindly donated a lot of thicker linen which I can use, which goes well with the fabric I already have and also creates a mix of fabrics which is what I want for the patchwork.

The curtain lining has a  buff/ creamy colour that I think that it has a vintage-y look which pairs well with this traditional look that I am going for with the costume, as I don't want it to look overly 'polished' and modern, but instead look like a traditional costume with a contemporary twist.


REFERENCES

[a] MASKS OF THE WORLD- 2015
[b] GRIFFITHS, GENEVIEVE- 2016
[c] CHRISTINE, BONNIE- 2015
[d] TATE BRITAIN- 2014
[e] LAMB, HANNAH- 2013

Masks of the World. 2015. European Folk Mask- Romania. [Online]. [Date accessed 12 April 2017] Available from: https://masksoftheworld.com/Europe/European%20mask%20Romania%202.htm

Griffiths, G. 2016. Architecturally-Inspired Weavings Reveal Fantastical, Far Away Cities. August 22 2016. Brown Paper Bag. [Online] [Date Accessed 12 April 2017] Available from:
http://www.brwnpaperbag.com/genevieve-griffiths/

Tate Britain. 2014. British Folk Art- Exhibition at Tate Britain- Unknown Crimean Quilt. [Online]. [Date Accessed 12 April 2017]. Available from:
http://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/exhibition/british-folk-art

Lamb, Hannah. 2013. Patches. 9 September 2013. Hannah Lamb. [Online]. [Date Accessed 12 April 2017] Available from: http://hannahlamb.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/patches.html

http://hannahlamb.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/patches.html