Final Product(s)

After weeks of sampling for Quiltmaking, the set task for this project was to produce a hot water bottle cover. However, after research, I decided to make a children's dress, with hand warmers to fit into the pockets. 

The most successful samples were the crazy patchwork, and the reverse/patch applique, therefore I combined the two with the aim of using this to cover the hot water bottle. I used hand embroidery to connect the patches as it created a more unique feel. The colour composition for the samples were inspired by Christine Mauersberger and Jane La Fazio

Hand Warmer Covers

The dress was inspired by Jennifer Collier, as she mainly uses the shape of the dress to display her work rather than using the dress for functional purposes. 

My 'Fairgound' dress was inspired by the happiness of Blackpool Pleasure Beach combined with the sadness of Belle View... note the contrast in colours. 

Other techniques which were used are; 

-Facing (I made circle facings before making them into Suffolk puffs)

-Suffolk Puffs 

- Rouleau strips (for the shoulder ties)

- Embellisher (Patches onto the crazy patchwork) 

- Piping (this technique really helped to tighten the whole look of the garment, mainly with the pockets, giving a more professional auora) 

Throughout this project I have found certain aspects challenging as the majority of techniques were new to me. However, I feel that I have gained an insight into the world of Quiltmaking, noticing how there aren't really any boundaries like I first thought. 

I feel that I could have been more innovative with drawing references and looked into more images in the first few weeks to kick start some of the ideas that I had later on in the project, as the ideas and initial drawings that I first had weren't really very useful towards the finalisation of the project. However, I am extremely pleased with the final product as I feel it reflects the Fairground theme throughout decades, and is a great representation of the new techniques learnt. 

Final Product Research

Hot Water Bottle:

'Pinterest' Research

After reflecting on this project throughout my sketchbook, I realised that my samples need to connect to my research more - particularly with the colours collated from the fairground. I would like to refine my colour scheme into more appropriate colours and the previous ''sketchbook survey'' has helped with this.
The colour scheme will refine as I'm creating samples, as I will just use the materials and colours that complement each other, working harmoniously

For the hot water bottle research I started with the fastenings. These included;
- Button Fastenings

Drawstring Fastening

Fold Over/Flap

Open top with Button to secure.

Artist Research to help with development of work into a final product:

- Christine Mauersberger

- Jane La Fazio

I found that both of the above artists used colour selectively to their advantage, this has allowed me to think about refining my colours and combining them with the techniques and my ideas to produce a successful Final product.
 After further researching hot water bottles, I would like to create a child's hot water bottle because my initial research in the first few weeks of the project was found to be reflective of a child, with the somewhat happy colours contrasting to the dark, miserable colours of Belle View and I found that a child's dress would represent this in an appropriate way.
Children's Dresses Research 
I researched Jennifer Collier's paper dresses as inspiration, as I will be using the dress as a display of techniques more so than for functional uses. The shapes and styles of the dresses are also simple and the large surface area of fabric will allow me to compose the techniques better. 
The hot water bottle would appear in this as small hand warmers, for the child to store in pocket/s of a dress.
To further this I designed the dresses and the hot water bottle displaying and explaining which techniques I would like to use and where I would put them.

Quiltmaking: Week 4: 31/03 - 4/04

Embellisher:
The layering of this technique will be effective within my work, particularly combined with other techniques, and the shapes from the fairground survey. I also enjoyed how it can change the shape of a lightweight material - this wouldn't work for this project.

London:

After visiting Somerset House, Berwick Street & Liberties, I have realized the vast range of materials available.

Somerset House really opened my eyes as to what you can achieve with scrap materials.

The exhibition included 'Patching', although my interpretation of this was more decorative, and will link efficiently to my sketchbook work and to the Fairground survey I produced.

Throughout the day I saw various Indian materials, the most interesting were the quilted blankets, made from old Sari's stitched together using Kantha embroidery. These weren't typically quilted with wadding, which added to the movement of the material, I will develop on this throughout my work.

Quiltmaking: Week 3: 24/03 - 28/03 (2)

From the techniques produced I have discovered that my colour scheme (Blue & Green) isn't reflective enough of the Fairground theme. Therefore I decided to include the memories of others to help, this included my Grandma, who as a child remembers Belle View - this was interesting to learn as her memories of the Fairground were vastly different to others. One of the main colours she remembered was Orange and Silver, the shapes she recalls were harsh and angular... stripes and flags. She remembers the large organ playing music, after descovering this I asked her to use a limit of five colours and respond to the music using shapes and line.

I asked two other generations on their Fairground memories and the colours were mainly Red, Orange, Yellow, Blue and Silver - From this I will buy materials of these colours that will connote the textures within the images and sketchbook and use coloured and metailic threads to stitch, using the influence of some artists to improve samples.

I discovered Teresa Murdza, her style of drawing is influential because her use of block colour with a loose off-set linear black line will clearly link to my use of rollercoaster drawings, this will also help me to introduce colour and shapes more easily and effectively.

Quiltmaking: Week 3: 24/03 - 28/03 (1)

Crazy Patchwork:
A method that uses random shaped patches of material. These are applied to a backing cloth, mainly calico, and lines of embroidery are stitched over the joins between the patches.

 Pfaff Machine:
Computerised Machine, mainly used for Quilting to stitch patterned lines.

Hand Stitch

Pfaff Machine

Overall I found the Crazy Patchwork the most successful sample that I have produced so far, as it enables me to include typical Fariground shapes and it allows me to easily find an effective colour scheme by collating patterned materials. The thread colours can also be changed between patches to help realize a definate scheme.

Kantha Embroidery:

Originated in Bangladesh, made from old garments pieced together to make a new cloth. Traditional uses;
-Bayton
-Lep
-Oar
-Durjani
-Arsilata
-Sujni
-Rumal

From all these techniques I would like to develop my colour scheme because what I currently have isn't reflective enough of the Fairground. I will also research more artists to influence this. 
 

Quiltmaking: Week 2: 17/03 - 21/03 (2)

Development of new techniques: 

From the wadded quilting, I decided to experiment with materials. I produced three futher samples, these included; 

- Three samples with different types of wadding (thickness and colour)

- Three different front fabrics, depending on transparency and property

- Three different backing materials. 

Fine Muslin, Polyester Wadding, Solcotta Cotton with trapped threads to add colour.

Ice Wool Wadding.

PVC top layer, ladder stitch quilting to connote rollercoaster tracks.

Suffolk Puffs:

Can be stitched together to create it's own fabric, can also be stuffed.

Varying fabric (Carrier Bag)

 

Corded Quilting & Trapunto:

Two types of material needed, the wadding is added with a wool and large needle to create a raised surface.  

I introduced colour into this with thread as I'm finding it difficult to find the appropriate coloured material. Using a black organza with coloured threads works effectively, especially when I use a metallic thread which was taken from images of reflective Fairground surfaces.

Corded Quilting - Using stripes to connote the Fairground and a varient of colours under a black organza to reflect the masked animal welfare at Belle View.

 

Trapunto - I didn't find this sample fulfilled my strengths as it was difficult to add colours, however if I were to do this again - maybe use a chiffon with colour underneath.

Quiltmaking: Week 2: 17/03 - 21/03 (1)

New Techniques:

After viewing Quiltmaking archive material I have discovered the surprising different uses of quiltmaking. I have realised how open this project is, and how I can produce a successful outcome relating to Fairgrounds.

Animal Bag

Reversible Jacket

The main influence came from the visit to 'Blackpool Pleasure Beach' from this I took the landscape views of rollercoasters and created patterns, that could be used as a quilting stitch. 

Wadded Quilting: 

This gives an all-over raised effect and is worked through three layers; the front, the padding - which varies according to how raised an effect is required, and the backing. 

 Wadded Quilting Examples.

Most effective when using a fine cotton thread onto same colour background.

From this sample I would like to explore the different types of wadding and the effect which it produces and the vaious front layers. I will also mix machine and hand stitch.

Beautiful vs Ugly

After visiting the two archives this week, I have descovered the two sides to Fairground, there's the cheerful side and then the ugly side. Blackpool Pleasure Beach allows people an escape from reality, it frees the mind and makes more room for entertainment and fun. There's sweets, and colourful lights everywhere.

 Belle Vue at the start was a magical place,  the escape from reality after the war, seeing live animals. However, dig deeper and the problems behind it were enormous. Belle Vue could be a dark place. It's background is disturbing, the animals and cheerful fairground rides are a front for the disturbing reality of the lack of animal welfare, it was also a concern of the disregard for public health and safety. 

In conclusion, although this project is based on the blog, I have an ongoing sketchbook. So far my drawings have been based on the photographs taken in Blackpool Pleasure Beach, however, I have taken the dark side of Belle View and applied this, using 'Arsenic Green' from Belle View and the blue Pleasure Beach logo and prepared the pages in my sketchbook to make further drawings and patterns with the auora happiness and typical Fairground feelings. 

Belle View: Archive

The Belle View Archive visit allowed a more insight into the Amusement Park. The park operated between 1836-1980, founded by John Jennison and his family, to keep all profits internal they made everything themselves, beer, fireworks, leaflets etc. In that era it was one of the biggest successes of it's time containing Europe's largest and fastest ride. The park attracted a mass amount of middle class families, due to the featuring of attractions people hadn't seen before, including; wild exotic animals, impressive fireworks, exhilarating rides and dramatic circus shows. Belle View was always promoted as something beautiful, enchanting and magical, but most of the time it was a dark place.

Arsenic Green

The animals however didn't last long, due to them being exotic no-one truly knew how to treat them so after a few weeks/months they died and Jennison bought new ones. When the animals got ill they were shot and stuffed to be stored in the Museum. One chimpanzee called 'Consul' he wore a striped suit, and rode a bicycle, he smoked weed and drank beer, eventually aged 5 years old he died on 24/Nov/1894. 

 The park was sold in 1920. However, the popularity of the whole park declined around 1960 due to better, more accessible places being available to go.