Initial Ideas & Homemade Screen Printing ...

I have based all of my design ideas around natural, organic shapes. I want my final design to be simplistic as I am going to add detail to my designs using applique and embroidery. Once I have decided which design works best with screen printing I will further my designs to create a wider variety design range for my 'Green' with Envy collection.

Some of my initial designs:





A slightly more delicate & intricate
twig & leaf design.



Simple leaf and bamboo design



Simple design for a cush

 
       A 'collection' of designs using an uncomplicated basic leaf and 'twig' design.



I decided that I wanted to do some screen printed test pieces for my design collection to see if this would be the best route to take for my final designs.

I handmade my screen printing frame from some old wood that I found in the garage and some organza fabric that I bought from my local haberdashery.  I stretched the organza as tight as I could across the frame and then secured it using a staple gun.  I then covered the edges with duct tape to help to stop any paint bleeding into the wooden frame.

Homemade Screenprinting Frame.



I then cut out my designs on some card ready to use as stencils for my screen printing.

  I used natural fabrics, cotton and calico, to test my screen printing on.  They both worked quite well.

I attached my stencil to the under side of the screen with masking tape, placed it on my fabric and put a line of water based paint across the top edge of the frame...



I then got a squidgy and flooded the screen with the paint - this in turn pushed the paint through my stencil on to the fabric below creating my desired pattern.



Unfortunately, the card I had used for my first stencil was not thick enough and when I did my screen print the paint bled.  This is why some of the test designs above look a bit smudged.  This was why I had decided to do test prints though, so I can learn from my mistakes ready for my final pieces.

These are some of the other designs that I printed:-

A. For my bamboo design I
used 3 different colours.
I waited for each colour to
dry before adding tone
and shaddow with other
colours.



B. This is a very basic leaf and stem
design. I feel this may be a little
too simple, although it has worked
quite well with the screen print.





C.  This is a development of the above design (B.) and I feel this works
a lot better.  It is still a basic design but slightly more intricate.
I feel this design lends itself to delicate applique and embroidery.

The above design (C.) is my favourite design.  I have started to look at how I can expand on this design to create a range for my 'Green' with Envy collection.  I am looking at how this design would work when I duplicate it and rotate it as well as creating new patterns with it. I will be enlarging my new 'Green' with Envy Collection designs and doing some more trial screen prints.  I will then start adding some of my applique designs (basic leaf shapes made from recycled materials - embroidery, etc) to the screen prints.



I concentrated on a small section of
design C. and repeatedly placed it
with the base positioned to form
 this circular design.



I 'flipped' part of my design to form this
'corner' feature that could work nicely on
a cushion or even on an upholstered chair.





I concentrated on the top
section of my design.
I thought I could 'flip'
and rotate it to see designs
I could come up with....



I think this simple idea works
well and would look good as a
repeated pattern - maybe as a
feature cushion...

As part of my 'Green' with Envy collection I have decided to incorporate my designs on a full height headboard.  I have also designed, and started to make, a hanging mobile to go over the bed, hanging from the large full height upholstered headboard:-



These are ideas for my full height headboard.....

I have taken my inspiration from magazines and catalogues - A lot of beds have huge pieces of art or a collection of images hanging above them. This has helped me to decide that my 'Green' with Envy collection should include an upholstered full height headboard ...



'Green' with Envy bespoke Headboard and Mobile.

... I have designed my headboard so that it curves back over the bed, like an old fashioned babies crib - this then lends itself for a bespoke mobile hanging to become part of my collection too.

Karen Perry... Illustrator and Surface Pattern Designer...

Karen Perry is an illustrator and pattern designer who takes her inspiration from the world around her and her passion is to put 'pencil to paper' to illustrate the detail she is witnessing.

"She has an eye for detail and a mind for precision which both lend themselves well to the repeat structures of surface pattern design." (http://www.karenperry.co.uk/ [accessed 29.10.11]).

Perry's designs will hopefully help me to expand my design collection.  I have looked at the way she has repeated her patterns and how slightly different shades of colours can make all the difference to the overall look of the design.   Her design 'hydrangea-fuschia' looks almost 3 dimensional due to the slight change in colour tones.  (all of the following images are from http://www.karenperry.co.uk/ [accessed 29.10.11]). I will bear this in mind when I am developing my collection.



'hydrangea-fuschia'




'Large hydrangea'




'Leaf - Trellis'




'Leafs Coloured'

Karen Perry's designs are very inspiring and her 'Leaf - Trellis' & 'Leafs Coloured', in particular, may help inspire me with designs for my collection. I feel that they are very simple and full of texture.

Bibliography:
http://www.karenperry.co.uk/

Competition.......

I have been looking into what other Eco-Friendly products are available on the market.  Whilst doing my research I have found eco-friendly paints, wallpapers, fabrics, even chandeliers amde from old kitchen utensils and cups and saucers!!

The Chandeliers are made by talented design 'Madeleine Boulestieix' who has always worked in the creative field, before embarking on her career as a full time chandelier designer, Madeleine worked as a photographer, theatre prop maker and even a teacher.  Using her creative side Madeleine makes her chandeliers using old recelyed kicthen utensils and other materials adn the result is just gorgeous!

 

On her website Madeleine says, "I started making chandeliers after finding about 40 facetted glass drops in a pile of rubbish. Initially I thought I couldn't make a chandelier with them because that would be too obvious, however, I later succumbed and have been making them ever since." (http://www.madeleineboulesteix.co.uk/index.html)

'Paint the Town Green' is London's first eco-friendly decorating company using only environmentally friendly paints that are free from odours and toxic fumes but look as good as any other paint on the market.

The great thing with the paint being free from odours and toxic fumes is that you can move straight back in to your newly decorated room without having to worry about any nasty smells!!

This has made me think about what paint I would use for my screen printing trials.  As I want to create an eco-friedndly fabric collection I feel that ALL areas of my design should be eco- friendly - including the paint used for the screen printing!

                           

'Pick Natural' are an American company who specialise in textiles made from sustainable and organic fibres. "Our goal is to responsibly develop and provide sustainable textiles. The products we offer are good for the environment and healthy for all of us, too." (http://www.picknatural.com/fiber_hemp.html)

'Pick Natural' use farbics made from wood pulp cellulose which are called 'Lyocell Fibres'(Tencel being its trademark name).  They also use other natural fabrics such as Hemp, organic Cotton and Linen, Bamboo and even Yak Down.

These are the sort of fabircs that I will be interest in for my 'Green' with Envy collection range. 100% natural & Organic.

'Harlands' offer an Eco-Friendly wallpaper range that are non toxic and completelt free of chemicals, so will be safe to have in any room in your home!

They are not only good for your health and the environment but they are also very easy on the eye with their gorgeous design.

This may be something I could add to my collection - wallpapers that compliment the fabric collection for 'Green' with Envy.



I will be talking about my screen printing experiences soon!! I even made my own screen printing frame, so will talk you through how I did it in my next blog!!!!

Bibliography:-

http://www.madeleineboulesteix.co.uk/index.html

http://www.picknatural.com/fiber_hemp.html

http://www.paintthetowngreen.biz/index.html

http://www.organic-furnishings.co.uk/wallpaper/24/

Eco Friendly Fabrics.....

After looking into Eco friendly fabrics I have found that there are many things that make a fabric 'Eco Friendly', not just being organic but also fabrics that are from Fair Trade, best land management and sustainable farming practices, as well as animal friendly fabrics. All of which have been developed with the minimum use of chemicals and pesticides and have a 'EU-Eco' (Eco-Friendly) label certification.

Whilst doing my research I have found many 'Green' fabrics, not just the usual "organic" cloths that you would immediately think of, such as silks, cottons, wool, linen and spider-web fabric.  But also natural fabrics such as Hemp, Calico, Hessian and even Bamboo fibre !! Bamboo Fibre is 100% biodegradable and, according to http://www.naturalenvironment.com/, is very comfortable.

I am going to try and do some experiments using Bamboo Leaves, Calico, Hemp, Hessian, Silks, wool, linen and cottons.  I will also be making my own handcrafted paper from old recylced bits of paper.  I will then try adding  colour and pattern to my experiments with applique, embroidery and even screen printing!

I will be recording all of my findings on my blog, so be patient and all will be revealed in due course!!!! :)

(ALL OF THE FOLLOWING IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED IN A BIBLIOGRAPHY OR BELOW IMAGE IN CAPTION)

3rd Year University, Design Intensives Project : 'Green' With Envy ......

My Project Proposal is to create an Eco Friendly soft furnishing range made from raw sustainable materials. My target market will be anyone who is after that little something different that looks great whilst at the same time being environmentally friendly.

I plan to experiment with different materials such as bamboo, dried leaves, silks, cottons, recycled handmade papers, recycled odds and ends, etc.  Once I have found how some of these materials work on their own and how they work together, I will then start to look at how they will work with screen printing, embroidery and appliqué.

The final outcome will hopefully be one that is environmentally friendly as well as being aesthetically pleasing.  The aim of the product is that all your friends will be ‘Green’ with Envy at the wonderful new eco friendly soft furnishing range that will bring a new lease of life to any room in your home.

For my Primary Research I intend to:

·         Experiments with different recycled materials.

·         Screen printing, appliqué and embroidery trials.

·         Photographs of all my experiments and how they are working

For my Secondary Research I intend to:

·         Investigate existing Eco Friendly products such as soft furnishings and wallpapers.

·         Collect information regarding Eco Friendly products

·         Analyse the competition.

All my research, findings and development will be shared on my blog.

I hope you enjoy reading about my findings and it helps to inspire you!!!

Cath Kidston Designs

Cath Kidtson Ltd was founded in 1993 when Cath Kidston herself opened a small shop in Holland Park, London.  She began by selling traditional English country house style vintage fabircs, wallpapers and brightly-painted junk furniture.  Gradually Cath Kidston started designing her own products and prints, one of her first being an ironing board cover !! Practical yet quirky. http://www.cathkidston.co.uk/

Cath Kidston designs are extremely popular now and a lot of designers use her designs, fabircs, wallpapers, etc.  It is the sense of longing for the past that has helped Cath Kidston designs with their popularity!!  Nostaligia is all the rage at the moment!!  Vintage this, retro that.  Cath Kidston gave that sense of nostalgia, the sense of being in an old English Cottage deep in the countryside - all this with a fabric or wallpaper!! Imagine what she could do with sense of smell!!! ;)

Cath Kidston, a sense of Old English Nostalgia:

 

hard at work

I'm working hard at building my online portfolio at the moment !  Hopefully it wont be long before I'll have it all loaded on here for everyone to see !  Also been doing lots of research into companies for a summer internship....the work is never ending and I am loving it !