Friday, June 4, 2010

101 inches

Here it is, 101 inches of 30" wide cotton plaid.


It's 101" instead of my intended 112" because at around 1am, my bobbin winder decided that it didn't want to move. Apparently turning is the last thing it ever wants to do again, which is highly unfortunate, as turning is its main purpose. Since winding bobbins by hand is a rather dreary task, I reevaluated the requirements of my intentions and decided that 101" was just fine.

Things I watched while working on this yardage: Dollhouse, Spongebob Squarepants, Rocko's Modern Life, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, and My Name is Earl.

Next up, a bit of patterning for the dress I will make out of it.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 1, 2.

I've been a bit distracted from the studio lately, with grad school coming up soon. (I begin in only a few weeks!) As such, I've given myself a break from ideas that require a whole lot of my brain, and focused on ones that involve mostly rhythm and counting.


This is the plaid I mentioned a few weeks back, finally on the loom. I think 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 1, 2, and repeat while watching cartoons. It's a good time.
I've been toying with different pattern ideas for a dress I would like to make with this cloth when it comes off the loom. Something with simple construction- a couple darts in a bodice with straps, a subtly gathered skirt, a couple patch pockets. I'm going to be careful with my patterning, because when the dress is done, I would like to have enough remnant for a self portrait of me in the dress made of the cloth on the cloth. That sort of echoing will make me smile.

In other news!
  • I am looking into various types of power saws. I have decided on a way to present my work that I think I will be most pleased by, that will be clean and portable. The one hang up is my current inability to slice through plywood as easily as I can tear cloth. So, for the first time in my life, a power tool seems to be a necessity. Looking into it!
  • Images of shears are still filling my walls. The more I use them, the more they seem to become a part of me. I will get back to this another day.
  • Any moment now, Inside 12 opens. While I do wish I could be there, I am excited for everyone who is, and hoping it all goes well.
1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 1, 2. 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 1, 2. 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 1, 2.