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Process #3 - listen and learn

I've been obsessively weaving these big massive samples when I don't need to do so. It's been pointed out to me by my tutor (for the second or third time, but I'm too stubborn to listen to anything the first time because I always think I'm the first person that was ever correct) that I should be concentrating more on variety in colour and weaving more smaller samples on one warp than what I am doing now. Basically I'm making work for myself and it isn't necessarily going to be that helpful at the end of the day.
This is probably the most important part of the design process, taking feedback and allowing others to challenge your preconceived notions. It's probably the only way anyone ever moves forward artistically or philosophically.
If we don't allow ourselves to be changed by others then we stagnate and drop out of creative life or else become an obstacle in the way of those who wish to change things for the better.
So I've changed my approach to this project as of today. I think my work will be better for it.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Gold star for self-awareness AND willingness to reconsider! It's a hard thing to know when you need to change and when you need to stick to your guns. I guess everyone has their own tendency towards accommodation or stubbornness - like you I tend to be on the stubborn side - and I'm certain it's more than a life's work to get the perfect balance. Or maybe I'm wrong about that...
Susan said…
When in doubt, your tutor is always right. :)

I'm of the opinion that samples woven up small only give you an idea if the project is workable. The small sample will work up differently to the full sized project. So I allow at least a minimum of 12" to 15" to every full width warp to play with sett, and treadling variations and to produce a record of the project for my files. If I'm uncertain of the right sett, I sley for the mid range, weave and cut off... wet finish and make a decision. Then I can move up or down from there. The beat across the full project is the same weight.

So, yes, I'm a member of the full size sample club!

Allowing others to critique your work is important otherwise all your work will look the same after some years of doing the same thing! The challenge is to keep it fresh and that means moving out of your comfort zone.
Now, that's the truly hard part!

Susan
Susan said…
PS I added your blog to my blog list at Thrums so you might see an increase in visits. Its up to you now to write something interesting to keep them coming back!

:) Susan
Andrew Kieran said…
Hi Susan, thanks for the input :)

I like to make a larger sample as well to get a good idea of handle, the small swatches have been suggested as simple colour swatches, with a larger piece indicating drape and so on.

This project is however primarily concerned with colour, so that's what's most important here. Also, my final fabric is hopefully going to be woven in silk (probably after a resleying or two, as you say) if I can get hold of enough in the right colours or enough white to make use of the university dyelabs (they can either dye enough for a little yarn sample - less than 25g or enough for a reasonable sized warp - more than 400g so I'd need a pretty fair whack of the stuff to get exactly the colours I want).

At the moment I am using 2/20's cc Viscose Rayon, which is the closest match in terms of colours and reflective value I can find in our (very considerable) yarn store. I even managed to convince the dyelab to make me a new stock yarn in sunshine yellow, as it was a gap that was missing in the yellows, so I'm quite chuffed about that. Shows the benefit of being slightly pushy and just asking for everything you want.

And thanks for the link Susan, it's greatly appreciated, I've been following your blog for a wee while now but I don't often stick my head over the parapet to comment on blogs, unless I'm on one of my occassional correspondence splurges. Which I am now.

Cheers

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