In my research, I explored a wide variety of topics to help frame and contextualize my project. The textile industry is incredibly broad and varied, and I wanted to recognize its complexities before diving in. I also visited the Finger Lakes Fiber Arts Festival, the Itchiku Kubota Kimono Collection, and the Weavers’ Guild of Rochester. Experts and bibliography in process book.
Historical background
Manufacturing
Local Resources
Print Design Process
Print Design Thinking
Industry Practice
Below are snapshots of my experimentation with full and half drop repeats by hand, as well as dying and weaving practices.
I crafted a print story with motif generation, a moodboard, and exploration of natural imagery and markmaking styles. The moodboard informed my visual direction and allowed me to connect deeper subconscious themes from my selected imagery. Different mediums, markmaking, and motifs were explored in depth.
My collection is centered around the idea of home, and how a home is a place for us to be our true selves. I explored this concept through symbolism and mythology, using plants and animals that embody comfort, warmth, sanctuary, and family. I was inspired by Victorian flower symbolism, and the art of communicating through botanical imagery. In the language of flowers, each plant holds a unique and secret meaning. By imbuing my prints with deeper meaning and a love of the natural world, they can be sent between people just as the Victorians sent flower messages.
I experimented with combining the different plants and animals I chose in ways that interplayed positive and negative space while maintaining a sense of whimsy and coziness. I then combined, adjusted, and refined the best ideas in a half-drop repeat. Early colorway ideation is shown as well.
This swatchbook contains all the colorways of the “Playful Haven” print from the Chamomile Collection. These swatches were printed through Spoonflower, a custom fabric printing company that uses digital inkjet technology. Each colorway is featured in the Eco Canvas fabric, and some colorways feature additional fabric swatches. Specs included in process book.
Print name: Playful Haven
Colorways: Navy Pysanky, Garden Mint, Scarlet Mint, Deep Garden, Navy Chamomile, Chamomile Ochre, Queen Anne's Pink, Navy Perwinkle, Periwinkle Sky, Midnight Sorrel, Bright Sorrel
I designed and produced my own textile print collection, creating a line of prints, patterns, and products under one cohesive visual narrative. I chose products that evoke a sense of home and comfort while showing the versatility of my print. I also printed on a range of fabrics to show the variations in the print process.
The Chamomile Collection currently includes:
fabrics
tea tins
coffee mugs
pillows
blankets
wall hangings
scarves
stickers
