The language of making

DAY 1

A diary of making

 Day 1

The outcome is not predetermined, I have no idea how it will go.

I have instead opted to make decisions along the way. Guided by the process, including intuitive decisions based around the materials. Observing how they influence me and at what level. How much does my visual sense control the process? 

When ripping materials, the natural twists return, the fibres now being pulled apart and freed from the tension of the weave, the warp and the weft. Like muscle memory they recoil back to their natural resting position.

Thank goodness the fabric is forgiving.

 Choice of colours red and silver why?

When choosing colours I lay pieces next to one another – red and silver give a calm contrast, subtle not garish but still striking.

 My hands and eyes work in quiet co-ordination. Measuring by eye, whilst my hands and fingers fold the fabric to the correct measurements like they have an inbuilt measuring tape. Quite fascinating how accurate they are. The by-product of years of experience and technical skills must be credited.

Why this pattern design?

I wanted to start with a traditional quilted pattern to give an anchor, a starting point, a nod to the practice of quilting. Plus, Ihave never quilted before, so my interest was piqued to “try my hand at it”.

I could have wasted the whole day, I guess that’s the risk when you are free flowing. For now for some reason, I am trusting my aesthetic but it is only day one. I don’t want to become rigid or fixated on any one decision.

I love writing about the process, it adds more depth.