Just a few of my favourite moments so far in 2010...

Mae Fah Luang Cultural Park: Chaing Rai

Khun Korn Watefall, Chaing Rai


My view from the mountain top: Doi Tung

Krabi Sunset

I realised that it has almost been one month sine my last post... time is going very quickly!


The results of the dye resarch project have been a suscess and at the moment I am developing my woven samples into prototypes for table ware: table runner, placemats, napkins and table cloth. The technique i have used will also be used in other areas of home ware and fashion collection. This is a new challenege for me as i have to consider the dip dyeing process for mass production. This means simplfying my colourways and making sure the technical notes are easy to understand...

My prototypes will be used by the factory as a reference for the new interoir collection for summer 2010.


Over the New Year I visited the south of Thailand, the beautiful sunsets are a brilliant source of colour inspiration. These images are from Krabi.

Skyline

I finished weaving my first warp today and have photographed a few of the experimental samples. I used unspun Thai silk in the weft which gives the fabric a sheer qaulity and soft handle. I have been using Doi Tung skyline as inspiration but I think cityscapes could be an interesting visual source too. I think the fabric is suitable for cushion cases or perhaps lightshades, I will wait for feedback from the design team!

I really enjoyed weaving the dipdyed warp, using a simple structure shows the colour gradations and allowed me to experiment with colour composition.

Over the weekend I will be working with the dye technician, she will be showing me natural dyeing techniques using materials such as clay, macademia shells, indigo and plant material. Skyline will continue to be my source of colour inspiration but the subtle colours of natural dyeing will deffinately produce different results from reactive dyes. I am looking forward to using a process which require simplicity, quality materials and respect for the environment. I will keep you posted with the results.

Some fine tuning...

This is my loom for the next few months. After some maintanence, tightening of bolts and adjusting the shafts... its working perfectly! I'm really happy was the results of the dip dyed warp as the colour gradiations are effective and using thai silk in the weft is giving the cloth a sheer qaulity. I will post images soon.

Day of Dip Dyeing

Dip dyeing the warp was a long but enjoyable process. My colour way has been inspired by Doi Tung skyline at dawn and dusk. After lots of dyeing experiments, I selected a range of successful colours and developed a tonal range of blues and reds. I didn't want to use too much dye so by adding water to the dye bath a new colour was created. Once the warp was dyed and fixed I left it for one day to dry in the sun.

Today I was helped by a team of weavers to beam my warp on a Dobby loom, the process is slightly different so I was very thankful for guidance. The weavers are great at their job and work well togther so the job is very quick!

However theading the warp will take sometime but once I am finished I will be ready to weave!

Work in progress...

This method of warping is new to me but it's the same principles, I am using unbleached cotton for my initial experimental samples.

Off the warping mill and into a hot bucket of water for scouring and preparing for dyeing...

The dye lab where I have been working and learning from Ya, the dye technician.

Celebrations in Doi Tung

On Saturday night we gathered to celebrate HM the Kings 82nd birthday, the candlelight cermony was really good and enjoyed humming along to the Thai national anthem.