This week i have managed to successfully complete one of my head pieces. I created this head piece by using the screen printing technique flocking, which gave my print a raised texture on the aluminium. I then cut out a few copper flowers, drilled 2 1mm holes, and heated them, allowing me to bend them into shape. I then threaded silver wire through the copper, attaching the flowers to the aluminium.

I am pleased with how this piece has turned out, and am now thinking about the garment that could go with it.

Whilst Carrying out more research i have also been getting on with more of my knitted pieces. I experimented with making a knitted tube structre to go aound the head, and embelished it with flowers to see how it would look…

This was the development of adding the flowers however i felt compared to the full version (below) less was more effective, and showed my knitting a lot better.

I also experimented with creating a big circular headpiece. I started by making a cardboard template to work with. I then embellished it with synthetic flowers and also included some tissue flowers i made quickly, in the top corner again feeling less was more…

I didnt think the tissue flowers were that effective, so need to think about using abother material like copper possibly. I also didnt like the way the back looked as the flower stems just stuck out the back.

So after some quick design ideas i have decided to try making these three pieces…

1. A neck piece which consists of 5 knitted tubes. 

2. An Aluminium headpiece which has a tribal print on it and a small knitted tube weaved into it.

3. A large knitted head piece.

Some of my ideas so far …

Over the Easter holidays i have been experimenting further with my knitting, using a mix of wire and wool, which works well. I previously experimented with a circular knitting loom, from which i created a long knittted tube, during the holidays i have experimented with a long loom, creating a flat piece of work…

I then put some of my knitted pieces together which i think works quite well as a starting point for my tribal inspired accessories…

I tried creating some knitted flowers, and metal leaves inspired by Han Silvesters photographs, however neither of these work well or had much impact. I have decided to look at how i could possibly incorporate the accessories and knitted work into my actual garment, which will be inspired by 1920’s fashion and also how they will work together.

I have been inspired by the Han Silvester photography to create these knitted wire tubes, which i will place around the head in the way the tribal people do. I plan to try and recreate some of the flowers and other natural objects and weave them into the knitted tube. 

For my final major project i have decided to create 2-3 garment with accessories. My garments will be inspired by 1920’s silhouettes, and i will also take inspiration for pattern, colour and design from tribes and tribal influences. 

I plan to explore a variety of materials and experiment with a range of technques such as knit, textiles printing and dark room photography as a starting point to create print patterns.

This little blog will be a way of sharing my progress, experiments, decisions, and final outcomes!