After doing lots of research and playing with papers and paints my design for the scarf I'm to make in the 'Textiles For Commission' module is based on a smashed up, distressed and coloured cardboard box. Yes really!! The Nuno Corporation are very experimental with their textiles, often using distressing and reforming techniques, so it seems like a good idea!

The theme for the project is lines and grids/jackets blankets and sheets. In my research I found a Dutch company who make sheets and duvets that look like old cardboard boxes that the homeless might sleep in on the streets. A percentage of the bedding sales goes to various charities that support the homeless and the designs are supposed to promote awareness.

I took a hammer, a cheese grater, a knife and sandpaper to a cardboard box to see what might happen. I photographed the result and played around a bit in Corel Paint Shop Pro and this is the result. 

I made a couple of stitched textile samples which I was happy with but couldn't see how I could get the scale right on a much larger piece of fabric for the scarf. I thought I might just be better to make smaller sections and apply these as patches to a hand dyed background.

It was at this stage that I visited the Nuno exhibition as mentioned in my previous post. I really liked the 'Tsugihagi'  textile: small swatches and remnants recycled into an embroidered textile. Photo in previous post. 

This inspired me to continue with the idea of making small patches, hopefully each with a different design and fabrics. I estimate that I'll need about 200 or so to complete the scarf. Once complete I plan to immerse the whole thing into an indigo dye bath. If I feel brave enough! 

I'm using lots of different types of fabrics so that when dyed they will each take on a different shade of the colour. The samples on the left are undyed and on the right are after dipping in a cobalt blue dye. I think it will work....fingers crossed! Now I just need to get on and make a start, so far 9 down 191 to go!!

Last Friday our tutor, James Donald, organised a college outing for us to visit the Nuno Textiles exhibition at the Dovecot Studios in Edinburgh.  One of our projects with James is 'Textiles for Commission' and our brief is to make a scarf for the Japanese Nuno Textiles Corporation.  The company is real, the brief is fictitious ..... although we do have to make it!

By an amazing bit of serendipity Reiko Sudo, Artistic Director of Nuno, brought a collection of textiles to Edinburgh for exhibition at the Dovecot, which was a perfect space to house this wonderful collection. We started this module in September and finish in December so the timing of the exhibition was perfect.

Around 40 wonderful textiles were on display. Around the sides were small 'feeling' samples along with details of how each was made. This was such a bonus, as anyone who likes fabrics knows, we just have to touch and feel them! The constructions and techniques are incredibly innovative and it's well worth having a look at the Nuno website to find out more.

This was a fantastic opportunity to see these fabrics 'for real' as my research was all on paper and photographs from their website. And now they are truly brought to life, absolutely stunning and so inspiring!

The exhibition is on until 24th November and I highly recommend it.

Links:

http://dovecotstudios.com/whats-on/event/24/nuno-japanese-textiles

http://www.nuno.com/home.html

James Donald:

http://www.pickone.co.uk/

http://www.concretewardrobe.com/