I think the strongest developments in my work were during
the machine embroidery tasks. The large workload set pushed me to come up with
ideas fast. I found that each sample would inspire the next, developing my
ideas as I went. This is a good way of working for me. I don’t think I made
connections between practice and research as I ended up keeping the embroidery
work separate to the journeys project. On the next project I am going to
integrate all areas of my work.
From the weekly group critiques and tutorials I made
decisions on what elements of my work were successful and what was not. I then
took these qualities into the next body of work to explore further, such as use
of delicate lines and sheer or lightweight fabrics.
I am continuously making self-discoveries from my work and
this is how I move forward. During this project I have reaffirmed my attention
to detail and realised how methodical I am in the way I work. I think this at
times has held me back, especially in the journeys work as I would try to find
meaning in my work and felt the need to have a polished idea before I could
actually create. In the next project I plan to start with materials and
sampling, letting my work speak to me and take me on a journey.
My greatest achievement during this project is gaining
confidence on the machines. I now feel very comfortable to use them and will
continue to practice on them.
The contextual studies pushed me to think more carefully
about my choice of materials, how different textures, weight of fabrics,
thickness of thread etc. will effect the outcome and how those elements will be
perceived.
By the end of the project I felt a lot more focused and was
using to workshops a lot more effectively than at the start of the project. I
feel this unit has made me realise how important it is to be using the
facilities in my own time as well as when timetabled as I produced a lot more
work than I would have at home.
I think I confused myself a lot during most of this project,
I think in the next project I need to take a step back from trying to give everything
meaning and just create, see where the work takes me and come up with ideas
along the way.
