Evaluation.

For me, the most significant learning which resulted from this Practice Unit was experimenting with texture. My main concept for this unit ‘Time Deception – Coded’ helped me push my sketchbook further than ever before. It allowed me to focus on texture and layered patterns showing my ideas. Within this concept I looked at circuit boards, Braille and Morse Code which all have tactile qualities and layered patterns which I found interesting. 

 

I feel I have demonstrated the ability to express my initial ideas through drawings and I have carried this through when sampling. Within this unit, I think my sketchbook and fabrics have a strong link and work well together. This is an achievement for me as I normally feel that my samples and sketchbook are disjointed and unrelated. Yarn research was a key focal point of my research, and as I wanted varied textures I had to find different contrasting yarns to create an unbalanced effect. My base yarns consisted of cottons and wools, bringing in hints of chenille, latex effect yarn and Lycra to gain my desired texture. 

Technique played a key role in this unit. I wanted to push the boundaries of each technique and I feel the Partial Knit on the Domestic machines really showed the chaotic texture I was looking for. I think I used this technique effectively and adapted it to create unique patterns and ideas. I found the fabrics I created using Partial Knit the most inspiring and I will push this further in Unit X and beyond. 

Within this unit, I started to create fashion drawings showing how I visualise my samples on the body. I have never drawn fashion illustrations before so I want to expand this work in Unit X and find my own style of drawing and expressing my ideas. 

When researching context I always focus on the texture and depth of the knitwear, this focus has pushed me to understand the style of knitwear I want to create. I want to develop textures and volume within a menswear context pushing the boundaries of what we see as traditional knitwear for men. To help develop my ideas I have looked at knitwear designers such as, Missoni and Craig Green. Missoni AW15 has pushed texture by adding coins and other metal objects to their fabric and this chaotic texture is fun and inspiring. Craig Green has pushed shaping and silhouettes adding trims on raw edges at the bottom of their fabric. These unique approaches have really inspired me to develop my fashion research looking at different ways I could manipulate the shaping of traditional silhouettes.

My first garment plays with this idea, however very subtly as I lengthened the body of a traditional jumper style creating an oversized effect. I also left the rib at the bottom of the jumper unlinked as this allows more room for manoeuvring and looks more unusual. By leaving my jumper sleeveless I can add in different textures underneath that will add to the styling. For Unit X I want to push this further and really look at silhouettes. 

 

I found the Live Briefs, The Bradford Project and Michael Kidner interesting as they have pushed me to expand my research and technique. They have inspired me to push my colours more and to use different machines to gain a contrast in structures. Using the finer gauge machines and bringing in a crazy colour palette has been a fun learning curve.