Part 9 Tapestry reflections

I've loved this part of the course.  It's been full on all the time because I've never done any weaving before.  Because of this I did a tutorial from a book that gave me practice in the basics and I'm glad I did; it gave me some confidence.

I've used a variety of materials; some quite unexpected like drinking straws which gave a really structured feel to an otherwise informal piece.  I've used plastic, wool in variety, lace, sari silk, torn fabric strips of various kinds and introduced tyvek beads and felting as an experiment.

The wool has always given me the basics but depending on what sort of wool it can create flat surfaces or lovely bubbly textures especially if used as a soumak knot.  I enjoyed mixing wool with other things as well.

I've used sari silk extensively, both the flat ribbon like one and the rolled one.  They give a lustre and always come up with a surprise as the colour varies so quickly.  The ribbon sari silk made attractive soumak and I liked it best when it was really loose.  I love it.   

Carrier bags give an interesting texture and I was surprised how easy they were to use; just like any other yarn really.

I had more than enough material to play with because it seems you can use just about anything.

Weaving is slow particularly when the equipment you're using is so basic.  If you have no  expectation of speed then it's fine.  I found I just relaxed into it and enjoyed it.  The leisurely pace allows some thinking time and I was able to use this to plan how to use materials.  Is it limiting - I'm not sure.  If you have chosen tapestry as your medium you have also chosen it's limits so I guess they are acceptable to you.  If you're prepared to try things out and see if they work it has no need to be just plain and boring.  I have found it exciting and I think I've produced some of my best work in this section.

Sample one

I've managed three samples, all very different.  Having done a bit of practice my first sample aims to develop my skills a bit more and I tried a circle.  Having a bit of distance from it now I can see that it doesn't hang together very well and the problem is the pale green at the bottom - it has nowhere near enough texture compared to the rest.  The overwhelming colour in my original photo was green so it was always going to be a challenge to create enough "difference" and I think I've managed it.  I very much like the way the warp shows when chunky wefts are used.  I can see that this could be incorporated into the design to make yet another texture.

Sample 2

I had little intention of creating something like this but it was sparked by a picture and I just had to see the idea through.  I wanted to make something in landscape format and I managed that OK.  The fields work as well but the sky looks too threatening for a summer day.  It is quite a literal interpretation and I'm not as fond of it as my other pieces.  However, I traced an idea through, was prepared for it to fail and was happy enough with the result. It is the sort of piece that will spark other ideas I think.

Sample 3

My tension problems are boringly documented so I'll not go through it all again.
This is an additional piece just to concentrate on improving it.  Success.  Basically it's just wool and sari silk but it's turned out well with lots of texture and lovely colours.  I'm pleased that I've been able to trouble shoot the tension problem because I'd like to return to tapestry without having to worry too much about it.

I like working both from source material and intuitively but I think intuitively just has the edge; I'm not quite so tied down.  Tomorrow I might give another answer though.