Saturday, 26 November 2022

Kiriko, Portland, Oregon, USA

Kiriko is a lifestyle brand forged from the spirit of Mottainai (勿体無い); a Japanese value that embraces one to waste nothing and recycle everything.  

 Their website contains a wealth of information along with a shop to purchase clothing. 



和柄 : Japanese Patterns 

Traditional Japanese designs, or "Wagara", are traditional Japanese patterns. They are history designs, each with a specific meaning, originally created for decorating traditional garments. The patterns that date back to the 8th century Heian period of Japan, are largely inspired by nature and were crafted using techniques from painting and Chinese calligraphy. They were worn with purpose for different seasons and occasions. However, in the last century this language of pattern was being lost as younger generations shed traditional dress for more westernized clothing. This spurred the use of "Wagara" in homewares and fashion accessories in an effort to prolong the dialect of these traditional Japanese patterns, making them just as relevant and usable today.

Go to link below to see visuals and learn about the symbols in Japanese patterns. 

https://kirikomade.com/blogs/our-fabrics/japanese-patterns-2

Friday, 25 November 2022

Power Point Presentation For Assigned Book

Book for Spring 2025







Each student presents on a section of the book. Sign up for a section. Sign up sheet posted in the studio, next to the wood shop door.

Submit presentation to Canvas Assignment module on the due date. 

The assignment module also has the guidelines for the assignment and you can find the date you are scheduled to present in the assignment module and course calendar (file section in Canvas). 

Late submissions to the assignment module in Canvas not accepted. 

No make-up dates for missing your scheduled presentation date. 

Up to 6-Points deducted from Personal Project Grade for not presenting, missing info or poor quality. 

Book on reserve in Proctor Library (check out at front desk for up to 2 hours - must stay in library). Or you can purchase from bookstore. 


Thursday, 24 November 2022

Catherine Ellies, Information and Resources for Natural Dye

 




Catharine Ellis has been a weaver and a dyer for over 40 years. After three decades of teaching the Fiber Program at Haywood Community College in NC she is now dedicated to studio work, focusing on natural dye processes. She also does specialized, selected teaching, in the U.S. and internationally. Recent projects include teaching natural dyeing in Guatemalan through Mayan Hands.

Catharine is the originator of the woven shibori process and author of the instructional book, Woven Shibori (Interweave Press, 2005). Her textile work is shown extensively in exhibitions and shows. She is currently working collaboratively with the Oriole Mill in NC to produce specialty Jacquard fabrics.

Catharine is actively involved in the Surface Design Association, the World Shibori Network, and is a founding member of the Southeastern Fiber Educators Association. She has served on the boards of Penland School of Crafts and the Center for Craft, Creativity, and Design and established the Western North Carolina Textile Study Group in 2012.

Website: https://www.ellistextiles.com/about/

Saturday, 22 October 2022

Black Dolls, Exhibit, New York Historical Society, 2022




Black Dolls explores handmade cloth dolls made primarily by African American women between 1850 and 1940 through the lens of race, gender, and history. The exhibition immerses visitors in the world of dolls, doll play, and doll making while examining the formation of racial stereotypes and confronting the persistence of racism in American history. It features more than 100 cloth dolls, alongside dozens of historical photographs of white and Black children posed with their playthings and caregivers. A coda explores 20th-century commercial dolls marketed to a broader audience of Black families seeking to instill pride in their children. Through these humble yet potent objects, Black Dolls reveals difficult truths about American history and invites visitors to engage in the urgent national conversation around the legacy of slavery and race.

Curated by Margaret K. Hofer, vice president and museum director, and Dominique Jean-Louis, associate curator

https://www.nyhistory.org/exhibitions/black-dolls-0




 

Friday, 14 October 2022

Maria Lai, Artist, Italy, b. 1919, d. 2013








Source:



 

Anne Wilson, Artist, American

 


LOST is about the loss of the physical body; about mortality. The displaced hair is lost, separated from the body, graduated over a large cloth that may reference something like a garment or a curtain, gathered and draped over a chair.




More to see. 
Artist Website:

Luisa Rabbia, Artist, Italy

 

https://luisarabbia.com/work/



"Though Luisa Rabbia works in various media, the core of her practice resides in drawing." - source is The Brooklyn Rail, article by Stephanie Buhmann. Link here to read.


Tuesday, 11 October 2022

Sarah Mead Leonard, "Morris's Imperial and Environmental Materials: A Study in Indigo"



 

Dr. Sarah Mead Leonard presents her paper "Morris's Imperial & Environmental Materials: A Study in Indigo," discussing the indigo used to create Morris's textiles. A question and answer session follows. Originally presented on Zoom for William Morris Society US members and registered guests on William Morris's 187th birthday, March 24, 2021. Please note the video is fully captioned.

Sunday, 2 October 2022

Warner Textile Archive, United Kingdom


A few examples. More to see. Go to link below. 






 

Textile Society Databases


The Textile Society promotes the study of textile disciplines and celebrates the history and culture of textiles, both traditional and contemporary.

17 databases available. 
Go to this link: 


Screen shot example from wool database.



This is called an andari, and its Muslim from Banni Cutch. [MHT] And it is what? [JG] It goes on a horse's head – like that. The holes are for the ears. [MHT] What, for festivals? [JG] For festivals.'

Image and text source link. More images and information.


 

Surface Design Association Blog


Link below for updated/current blog posts:



Below - screen shot from blog.

“Exposing History: Color, Taste, and Textiles” by Nikki Fragala Barnes: “Mongiovi rejoices in complexities and constraints, especially when the tensions of a site-sensitive project generate insight and restoration of the presences—the fibers—of people and their technologies… Mongiovi is in conversation with structures and spaces as her work responds to centuries of domestic living.”




 

Student Blogs, Spring 2026

  Clare Cassidy Rhys Conner Gem Hansen Hayley Harris Julia Hewitt Sophia Johnston Laurel Koschal Owen Lindsey Colin Locatell Alaina Medina E...