Evaluation

                Checks and Tartans have been of interest to me since I began to weave; however throughout this project I have been able to explore and understand the construction much more while also developing my own techniques. Through colour and pattern, I have examined the possible outcomes for my tartan/check patterns and expanded on what I know to understand of this area.

                From the outset I tried to push myself and go out of my comfort zone – This began with my warp. The colours I chose, I was very unsure of due to their limitations in contrast to each other. I was very aware that orange and green would require specific colour combinations to create an aesthetically pleasing design, but I wanted to take the risk. Now having gone through the project and seen my final outcomes, I am very pleased I took the chance and went with the warp that I did. In regards to risk taking, I am aware that I generally work very flat (which is again how I began this project) but was hoping to try and expand on this and include some more textures. Through using mohair I was able to brush some of my samples to create a much more warm, cosy and tactile effect which therefore expanded my ideas for my context.

                In terms of skills, which I have augmented throughout this unit, I was very pleased I chose to dye my warp. Not only did this allow me to enhance my dyeing skills and refresh my memory, but I also felt much more sense of pride once my warp was made and ready to be woven. In addition to this, weaving on the floor looms has been a great experience that I thoroughly look forward to continuing with. It allowed for more design options, saved time and really pushed me to think more about and plan what my intentions were.

                As a result of this project, although I am very pleased with how I have worked and what I have created, I feel as though I need to work with patterns and designs that are more out of my comfort zone for the next unit to really expand my skills. Tartans and checks were almost a bit of a comfort zone because it’s what I enjoy to look at (even if I have only really explored them once before this). Perhaps next time I will work with a plainer warp and a much more limited colour palette to push myself to think and create in new ways.