Friday, September 29th, 2006
When I got to work this morning, I saw this bit of light on the horizon. It’s been so grey here the last few days it was a nice surprise. I love coming in early, seeing this view of the city from up high when it’s still dark and quiet and I’m the only one here.
Lately I have been so scattered, trying to find a balance between work, teaching, making and life in general that I realized I am always focused on the future. This seems to speed up time somehow. What I really need to do is narrow my focus, make lists and slow down a little. That’s what I plan on doing this weekend - focusing on doing fewer things better.
This is what I’ll be working on:
Knitting always slows me down and gives me time to reflect. Hope you have a peaceful and reflective weekend too.
Thursday, September 28th, 2006
Normally when I am working on new designs I make a “mock-up” at full scale, and then keep working on that piece, cutting, ripping out, taking in, until I am happy with it. This is slow going, but it’s the only way I know how to work. Since I like to work with texture, there really is no other way. It’s difficult to really get a sense of how something textural will work on a garment in a drawing. This way of working comes from a process I learned in architecture school and for me it feels like a natural way to work. The drawbacks of course are then trying to get a reproducable pattern from this cobbled together mock-up.
For awhile now I have had this idea of a simple girl’s jumper, like this one, with inserts of color using scraps of leftover fabrics. In my head this seemed like more of a graphic design problem than a shaping problem. Inspired by this drawing and Eireann’s new header, I thought I would try using illustrator.
I love illustrator for layout and it works well (for me) for things that are graphic and rectilinear. I don’t think it is so good for sketching, although there are illustrators who use it brilliantly for this. The thing that I absolutely love about it is the way you can study different color combinations so quickly. I could have gone on happily forever in this drawing, changing colors and color placement. Had to physically STOP myself from doing this. It was becoming one of those computer time-warps, where you suddenly glance at the clock and hours have gone by in the space of a moment. Too bad the actual fabricating isn’t as quick.
Next up: Scrap raglans.
Tuesday, September 26th, 2006
sometime in the 70’s (scanned from polaroid)
When I was little, my mom made a great majority of my clothes. I remember feeling happy when I wore the things she made me - no one else had something quite like this. I liked being different. She always made things that were fun for her to make as well. Embroidery, embellishments, knitwear with intarsia, cables or a unique construction. This happieness in the making came out in the clothes.
Strangely enough, I especially remember feeling like I was wearing something like shelter when I wore the things she made me. I was protected from anything bad or unfamiliar that might come my way. Maybe this feeling is why I didn’t mind my clothes not looking like everyone elses.
My mom taught me to sew and knit and to love beautifully made things. Most of all she taught me that it’s ok to be unique.
Saturday, September 23rd, 2006
I had a rare moment home alone today, during the day, and wouldn’t you know it, it was grey and dreary. Not the best for photography. I am working on getting a model and taking some proper photos, but until then this will have to do.
I have lots of vests planned for fall (among other things). Now I just need to find the time to make them. Where does the time go? I like Little Birds latest WIP -acceptance. I need to work on that as well.
Wednesday, September 20th, 2006
This seems to be a weekly thing….
These are images of textured stone tile, found here.
After a trip to fabric central last night with Eireann, these textures have my head spinning.
Monday, September 18th, 2006
I have had this vest in my head for awhile. A really plain shape to show off a wonderful textured wool. In grey, of course. Now it’s out of my head, and I think I need to make about 20 more.
Tuesday, September 12th, 2006
from Metropolitan Home magazine, Oct. ‘06
I can’t seem to get enough of grey and yellow. It was with me all spring, and summer, and now it seems like it will be with me through the fall as well. I love the above image because the yellow is used in just the right amount, and the right places. The light grey of the walls comes across as almost white, and the other greys (the rug and compartments on the back wall) pop against it.
The grey on grey texture of the crazy light fixture and back wall compartments make the space. I love this kind of texture -it is what I am always striving for in fabric and clothing design.
Looks like Eireann has the grey yellow bug as well.
More grey and yellow images here, here and here.
Sunday, September 10th, 2006
My working process at times is quite laborious. I don’t like to plan things out in depth before I make them -I would rather just start mocking something up full scale and see what happens. I start with a vague idea, sometimes a sketch, and then start cutting and sewing. This leads to many iterations and lots of almost theres in the cast off pile. But because I don’t start with a preconception of exactly what the garment will be, I can leave my mind open to different possibilities and directions things can take. And usually there is a surprise -that something unexpected that is beautiful or interesting, or just makes you stop and think for a moment.
This is what I love about process -and also what keeps me from making more finished pieces. Most often the process is more interesting than the product and I would rather just keep exploring than sit down and finish something.
There is something so rewarding though, about finishing. I go through so many stages in my working process -the initial excitement and possibility in an idea or new pile of fabric, the frustration when something doesn’t quite work out and I want to give up. Then there is the nagging unease that just won’t let me leave it until it’s right.
I find it interesting that just as what I make is always changing and evolving, so is my working process.
Sunday, September 10th, 2006
Work in (un)progress.
Friday, September 8th, 2006
These are perfect. Labour and Wait.
(via hoping for happy accidents)