Pattern Magic, part 1

I'm doing a two-day course at Morley College taught by Manisola Omotoso called Pattern Magic. It's based around the book of the same name, which is full of amazing ideas for creating sculptural effects on sewn garments, but doesn't exactly hold your hand and guide you through them. The idea behind the course is to offer more detailed instructions for carrying out the techniques in the book.

I thought I'd have more to say this evening, but today was taken up with drafting a block for a bodice and then using that to create a pattern for one of the designs in the book. I have a lovely collection of bits of paper with sums and shapes drawn all over them, (this book is math-tastic), but no textiles to show off yet and no idea if I'll have any time to work on this before next weekend.

Frustratingly, there's lots of stuff I'd like to blog about right now, but it's all either unfinished or intended as a surprise for people who I think read this blog! Maybe in December I'll finally be able to post some pictures.

Bow-tie

I needed an orange bow-tie for a costume party I'm attending in December. Obviously there are many serviceable and affordable versions available to buy, but while I was looking for wool for another project I uncovered a large piece of orange fabric left over from my course. It was supposed to have been yellow, but I'd dyed it for too long and then set it to one side thinking it would come in useful for something else. Here was that opportunity! I would make my own bow-tie and save myself £4.

Graffiti

Two pieces seen while walking along Caledonian Road. It looks like the top one was done to promote the Cally Festival.