Wallpaper and Food

Last week I tried out some wallpaper designs on lining paper. I don't want to bore you with details so I'll sum up the process! I used the research I'd done on 19th century wallpapers to inspire my own designs and cut out some templates. I then screen printed with pigment and binder to print the designs onto lining paper.

I like the red one the most. It doesn't need as much work on it as the other two. I now need to cut each one in half and "work into them" (haven't decided how/what yet!!)

Oh yeah, and you know how much I love food...

Chocolate cupcakes iced with mint butter cream (made by me :-D).

And a yummy lunch out that my gentleman treated me to on Tuesday. Soooo good! (Cheese and tomato toasted sandwich with salad and chips and banana milkshake loaded with whipped cream and sprinkles!)

Getting Creative

The past week I've been working out a colour scheme for my Monday module.

All those notes beside each colour is a reminder to myself on how I made the colour. Pretty nerdy stuff! I eventually decided on 5 colours that (I think!) work well together. They're influenced by Romanticism and Pre-Raphaelite art. For example, the rich, dark colours of the dresses and the fiery-toned women's hair.

I'm currently part of the 'Textiles' half on Monday, so I've been playing with different patterns and how to use my colour scheme. We have to produce a 2 metre roll of printed wallpaper at the end of the module, so I've been researching 19th century (the era of Romanticism) wallpaper designs.

I then tried out my own versions by using stencils...

...and a make-up sponge. :-P

I stumbled upon these two awesome books at the library too. So inspiring!

'Wallpaper Designs' published by 'Agile Rabbit'.

'Pattern' by 'Tricia Guild'.

I've started on another print idea, inspired by the first image that I've shown from 'Tricia Guild's' book, where a transparent piece of paper, like baking paper or tracing paper is printed with an image and then a normal page is underneath (made of paper). I might do a couple of layers of tracing paper though. Here's a start...

For the construction side of Monday's module, I'll be creating a jumpsuit. There weren't exactly any around in the 1800s, and the closest I could find was the swimwear (which is awesome anyway!) The jumpsuit has to have a hood as well, so I'm trying to incorporate 19th century bonnets and bathing caps into the designs! :L It's looking a bit space-agey at the moment!

I'll update you on my sewing and knitting soon! But for now, ta-ta!

A Good Ol' Catch Up

Feels like I haven't written a post in ages, so I think it's definitely time for one!
OK, so last Friday I learnt how to sew different types of seams and hems. To be honest, I was surprised at my lack of knowledge on this subject. :-O Crazy times. Here's a round-up of the different samples.

Plain closed seam.

French Seam.

 Flat Felt Seam.

Plain Open Seam.

Bias Bound Edge

Five Thread Seam on Stretch Fabric.

Double Turned Hem (upside down because the Blogger's being annoying...)

 Pin Hem (upside down because the Blogger's being annoying...)

Oh, and you know I posted about 'Sew for Victory' a while back? Well I've completed the blouse part of the outfit. Just need to find some time between now and the 29th March to make the skirt!

Pocket (because pockets are the greatest thing ever).

Look at the beaut buttons I used!

I'll take photos of the sewing patterns I'm using as well and show them in another post. Tata for now!

Is fashion art? ...How long have you got?!

So I've decided to choose my essay title/question for Wednesday's module as 'Is Fashion an Art? Why has it been increasingly viewed as such in the Postmodern Art World?' I've just finished writing a synopsis for it, and have managed to find some really good sources for research. Yay, research. :-P
There are some fashion designers that hate the idea of fashion being described as an "art", but then there are others that love it...and of course there are always ones that sit on the fence. ;-P Karl Lagerfeld detests the idea of fashion garments being shown in museums, whereas Elsa Schiaparelli worked with artists like Dali to create a lobster print dress, skeleton dress, hat that looks like a shoe, and a desk suit. 

And then there's Rodarte's Kate and Laura Mulleavy and Alexander McQueen who show expression, creative skills and imagination in their designs. Since the Oxford Dictionary's definition of art is "the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination”, then surely fashion can be classed as art?

However, the main purpose of clothing is to cover the naked human body and protect it from different kinds of weather. For mass-market retailers it's just a product to sell and make money out of. Art, on the other hand, is less fleeting and is only created when the artist wants to make something.
Fashion garments are increasingly being shown in art's sacred institution, museums (sorry Karl Lagerfeld), and with it comes a focus on whether it's directly or indirectly related to art.
This debate will continue for many more years to come, and the argument between the two sides will continue with it.

BUT WHAT DO I THINK?!

I'm gonna hate myself here, and sit on the fence a bit with this (sorry!) I think it depends on which fashion designer you're talking about, and the garment being looked at. Alexander McQueen and Elsa Schiaprelli are definitely artists in my mind. The creativity behind their clothes is just breathtaking. Whereas Karl Lagerfeld creates quite simple and ordinary garments.

(Not my cuppa tea either...)

So I'm afraid I haven't really got a straight forward answer for this question, but then again, who has?!