Part Four: An Introduction

Textile Structures
In the previous projects we have drawn, printed or stitched onto an existing surface, paper or fabric.
The emphasis on the next two projects, 8 and 9, is to explore the creation of fabric - to construct the surface.

This time our visual ideas, previously expressed through the development of imagery, will be expressed by combining fibres, colours and textures - creating simple structures with a tactile surface.

The exploration of constructing textiles will start with the process of interlacing, this includes:

• weaving
• plaiting
• knotting

Using these processes we will be able to convert 'line', (materials), into 'area', (fabric).
Line: this represents materials such as: knitting wool, ribbon, strips of fabric, dried grass, animal hair, strips of wood, wire etc.
These will then be made into 'constructions' that will hold together and form flat 2D fabrics, or 3D structures.

I am looking forward to the projects in this assignment as I have always wanted to try some of the techniques.
I bought two small looms and have some basic equipment to make braids with.

I am also armed with these indispensable guides from Reader's Digest:

One of my 'go to' guides

Another 'old' favourite

Although these books are from another era, the advice and techniques haven't changed... macrame pot holder anyone?