"Stem"

Back in December I wrote that I'd post some good quality photographs of my final piece from the constructed textiles module in the new year. Today, those pictures are finally up.

Machine knitting and felting, attempt 2

I recently had a second go at felting some machine knitted samples. Learning from my previous attempt, I used more soap this time, with much better results. Some of the following samples were also made using punchcard patterns in the machine. I may try to make a video of a punchcard in action at a later date as they're great fun to use, even if Wikipedia does describe them as "an obsolete recording medium".

Screen printing: a new screen and puff binder

My second screen was finally ready to use today.

William Morris Gallery

Entry: Free

I'd seen signs for the William Morris Gallery since I moved to my new flat and I took the opportunity to go and visit it today. The gallery is in an 18th century building, (the Morris family's home from 1848 to 1856), in Lloyd Park in Walthamstow. Entry is free and the gallery is open to the public from 10am to 5pm Wednesday to Sunday, which is the correct time for galleries and museums to be open.*

The lower-floor of the gallery houses an excellent collection of work by Morris, including his original design work, woven and printed textiles, ceramics, stained glass, furniture and books. There's also work by some of his contemporaries and artistic collaborators, such as Edward Burne-Jones, and lots of material relating to his personal life and political work. The upper-floor houses a collection of paintings and prints by Sir Frank Brangwyn, who I've never heard of before.

The William Morris Gallery does exactly what it says on the tin. It offers a comprehensive survey of Morris' work and life in a lovely setting. I left feeling more educated than awed, but it's definitely worth a visit if you're in Walthamstow.

*If you're running somewhere that people will be visiting in their spare time then you need to be open during that spare time. Obviously some people work weekends, but a large number of people don't work weekends. If you have to pick five days to be open, three week-days and two weekend-days should cater to both groups very well. So why do so many small museums insist on closing on Sundays? Let's be honest, England is a largely secular country so our continuing belief that Sunday should be treated as as a special day is very weird.

Screen printing: foil, flock and metallic ink

Machine knitting and felting

Below are more machine knitting samples. All of the white yarn used in these samples is untreated lambswool that should felt when washed. I tried this out - putting the samples in the washing machine at 60 degrees - but it didn't work as well as I'd hoped. I need to use more soap next time.

The pre-felting pictures have blue backgrounds, while the post-felting pictures have black backgrounds.

"Sleep"

Screen printing: two-colour prints and new materials

Some prints from last week, now with a second colour added.