Since my last blog post I’ve done some researching as well as making. I’ve learnt a lot more about wool, for example, Australia produces 345 million kilos of wool every year, 1/4 of the worlds wool. Merino wool comes from the sheep flock in Australia, this is the highest quality wool as the sheep produce finer wool, meaning the wool is appealing to the worlds highest quality apparel and high-end fashion garments. I’d like to try crocheting with merino wool as it is a breathable wool and is a natural renewable fiber, alongside the softness and comfort of the wool. I’ve attached an image below of my crochet squares which I plan on making into a patchwork scarf. I have drawn out my design using illustrator so I have my image to reference when placing each square together. I think making pieces of knitwear would be enjoyable as well as giving me creative freedom. I will be incorporating my love for photography and sustainability by documenting what I make through outdoor photography.
I have also taken the time to visit the library and gather some inspiration from a book called ‘Experimental Eco-Design’. It’s full of architecture, fashion and products that have been made with the planet and reduced waste at the heart. There was a page about quilts that were made by Colleen Rae Smiley using reclaimed textiles so they’re sustainable and unique quilts. It states in the book that Colleen has made these quilts with ‘discarded upholstry from museums, unused fabric from friends, flea markets, vintage coats or unwanted couches.’ The layers add a story to each of her quilts, which is exactly what a quilt should be. The nature of a quilt is to tell the story of a family or perhaps a nations heritage. It was the idea and image of the patchwork quilts that inspired me to make my crochet patchwork scarf.
Another creation from the book I particularly liked was flour bags that designer Manuel Wijffels turned into carryalls. He is a Dutch designer who is known to find clever ways to repurpose every day items that you often won’t think twice about. By only adding the shoulder straps to the bag of flour, a carryall bag, Back Paper, was created. In the book they’ve said even though it is made from a paper bag, they are quite strong and resilient. Ideas like this inspire me to think outside the box and look more closely at what we use every day. This could even be a quilt made from old clothes you were going to give away, or leftover materials.
My plans for Friday are a trip to London to see the Barbie exhibition alongside the free displays the museum are showing. One I am particularly looking forward to will be Future Observatory: Tomorrows Wardrobe, it’s all about designing a stylish and sustainable fashion for the future, designers from the industry are revolutionising the way we all make and wear clothes.
I will also be taking the time to visit Kensington Gardens, it is a beautiful location and as I took the workshop in lighting, I would like to experiment with outdoor photography now I understand the way lighting works in an image. I won’t have the same studio equipment we used in the workshop and will only be working with the sunlight, however, I believe applying my knowledge to my photography will allow me to take more interesting images by playing with exposure and shutter speed.
