Chapter Four - Drawing Patterns From Animal Markings

Chapter Four - Drawing Patterns From Animal Markings

In this chapter I picked out various different animals with patterns/markings in fur, feathers, scales and shells.

I have made/drawn 2 or 3 versions of the marking and patterns mainly because I wanted to experiment with tones and then incorporate linear designs. 

I have used pencil, biro, ink pen and thick and fine markers.

I have also listed a few words that spring to mind next to my samples.

page one

page two

page three

page four

page five

page six

This chapter has been a good for me to start to visualise these samples turning into stitch.

Time Spent - 15 Hours 

Module Two - Chapter Three

Chapter Three - Tonal Effects in Machine Stitchery

Let me introduce to my machine that I will be using throughout the course. 

This is my Janome 4900c Memory Craft. I know this machine well now. Its 7 years old, runs perfectly and I stitched my way through my Machine Embroidery level one with it.

On to my samples…

I have made a reference next to each sample to help me on my way to be more careful on design units…

Ordinary Stitchery

page one

page two

page three

page four

Page one - four our my "ordinary stitchery". On these pages I have experimented  change of widths, lengths and overlapping. I have used zig zags, straight stitch lines, curves, honeycombs, blanket stitches, block stitches and other decorative stitches to make tonal changes.

Whip Stitch

page five

page six

Page five and six are my whip stitch samples. Having been briefly introduce to whip stitch on the machine embroidery course a had already purchased a spare bobbin case which helps so much. I had to set my top tension at nine to get an effect that was pleasing. I love whip stitch I think its so effective and intriguing. 

Cable Stitch

page seven

page eight

Page seven and eight are my cable stitched samples…… What can I say..wow how dramatic. 

Additional Samples

page nine

page ten

Page nine and ten are some additional samples. I felt like I need to revisit all three different stitch types  and have another play with different ideas. 

Machine Stitched Strips

Next up …my machined stitched strips.

First row - I used a 3 zig zag stitched -  my thoughts were jagged, spiked, reptile, uneven.

Second row - whip stitched - feathery, delicate, speckled, elegant

third row - my version of the owl……see below

fourth row - whip stitch - this row I'm unsure of. I wanted to try width of stitch and spacing at the same time - not sure if its worked out ok……await for Sians input.

rows five and six - I like the boldness of both of these…..strong, striking, dramatic.

Row 3 - alternating block pattern

Evaluation

This chapter has been good for me. I've felt I've found my feet on this course and I'm now settling in. I have started to be able to interrupt patterns into stitch. Its been an eye opener and I can't wait to see whats next. I love all three types of stitching techniques, I really couldn't pick my favourite yet just yet.

Costs - Calico - £4.00

            Perle thread - £1.25

Total - £5.25

Time allocated - 25 hours

Module Two - Chapter Two.

Module Two - Chapter Two 

Tonal Column Stitchery

Page One - Sorry its blurry, scanner doesn't like anything uneven.

CHAPTER TWO CONT…

BLACKWORK TONAL COLUMNS

A bit of Blackwork History

Blackwork is associated with the Tudor period 1485 - 1536. Catherine of Aragon was well known for needlework and mainly blackwork.  However blackwork was originally came from Spain. Blackwork was used on courtly clothing, ideal for collars and cuffs. 

During the Elizabethan period 1558 - 1603 flowers, plants herbs and fruits were very popular.

Fascinating….. I love a bit of history and traditional techniques.

My doodles and designs for my samples

I thought I'd had finished this chapter only whilst walking my son to school I wonder what the reverse of the samples would look like……White on black. So I began stitching and heres how they turned out….

additional samples.

Cost of Materials - Aida - £4.00 

                                  threads - £1.20

Time Spent - 23hours

Module Two - Chapter One - The Study of Tone

Module Two - Chapter One - The Study of Tone

So here I am in module two and really looking forward to the chapters ahead.

Before starting this module i've been picking up bit and pieces that might be useful i.e animal prints. I've collected tissue paper, card and felts so far.

Before I started experimenting with tonal shades I thought I'd take a look at some of the animals and their prints…..

The Jersey Cow. 

Words relating - Large, bold, furry, strong, uneven, random, messy, patches.

Owl

Words relating - Feathery, elegant, patterned, fluffy, striking, speckled, strong.

Snow Leopard

Words relating - Striking, spotted, furry, elegant, patterned, bold, strong, warm, powerful,fierce, claws,slender,

Alligator 

Words relating - tough, strong, scales, hard, shiny, patterned, cold, bumpy, slimy.

Zebra

Words related - Stripy, dramatic, smooth, soft, warm, patterned, curves, lines, strong, elegant.

Snake 

Words related - scales, cold, smooth, shiny, tough, hard, dramatic, even, curves, polished, deadly, slither, long

Next I made a start on my experiments which I've thoroughly enjoyed. I have used biro, marker pen, pencil, oil pastels, intense, ink pads, scrunched up paper bags, patterned paper & cards, chalk, hole punched papers, paint and rubbings.

2.1 - Marker Pen & Pencil

2.2 - Oil Pastel & Biro

2.3 - Scrunched up paper bag and printing with ink pads, cut up patterned tissue paper

2.4 - Rubbing f floorboard with wax crayon and inktense pencils

2.5 - Hole punched paper and card

2.6 - chaalk * Oil pastel

2.7 cut up patterned card and paint dabs. 

Cost Of materials - Gathering samples & research £3.89

Time spent - 3.5 hours