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.

Hill Tribe Museum, Chaing Rai

Today I visited the Hill Tribe Museum in Chaing Rai, the six major tribes are Karen (Kariang, Yang), the Hmong (Meo), the Yao (Mien), the Akha (Ekaw), the Lisu (Lisaw), and the Lahu (Mussur). Each tribe unique, with its own culture, religion, language, art and dress.

I wanted to see authentic traditional clothing of each tribe. The patterns and colours of the clothing are so beautiful, some taking one year to make because the embroidery is so detailed. The craftsmanship and labour is so impessive. Any celebration and the tribes will dress in their best and I can see why.

Halls of Opium, Golden Triangle Park

Halls of Opium, Chaing Saen, is a museum detailing the history of opium and the impacts of illegal drugs in the "Golden Triangle". The "Golden Triangle" sourced over half the worlds illegal heroin, i was unaware of the mystery and the dangers surrounding drug production and trafficking: civil wars, armies, police and summglers clashing, poor hill tribe farmers making a living from a beautiful but poisonous. plant. In 1988, the late Princess Mother initiated the Doi Tung Development Project with the aim of rehibilitating the forests and the lives of the people in the heart of the "Golden Triangle" in Thailand, ending their dependence on opium growing and use. Illegal drugs impacts soceity on all levels, from indiviuals and their families, to their local communities, and their countries. Visiting the exhibition highlighted the importance of the Development Project and shows how much Doi Tung has changed and developed over 20 years.

Later that day we visted the "Golden Triangle", the vast area if three countries-Laosm, Myanmar and Thailand. It was really touristy with big gold shiny Buddha's but we climbed up to a viewing point and found an anceint ruin of a temple, Wat Phra That Pu Khao which was a bit more authentic.

So far...

The past few days have been so interesting, the Doi Tung factory has a great community spirit and the workers are all warm and welcoming. I have been taken around the factory, the weaving department, yarn store, ceramics, dye house and paper making. Every small detail of the production process is hand crafted, the effort each worker puts in shows how proud they are of the devlopment project. The workers are very talented craftmens and just by watching them i will learn a lot from them.

Spinning yarn onto a bobbin in preaparation for weaving, the workers made it look very easy but it wasn't.

The weaving department is my main area of interest. I have had a shot on a loom, they are very traditional and manaually powered by the weaver. I'm looking forward to getting my own warp on soon! My time at the Doi Tung factory will be spent working on my own personal project and working along Nat, woven textile designer on summer 2010 fashion and accessories collection of scarves which will be limited collection.

Ready to go...

I have my suitcase packed and I'm set to fly to Thailand to begin my project! I will keep you all updated with my latest news and I hope to hear from you too!

Doi Tung Project

YouTube - Doi Tung Project by Asiatravel.com -watch the short film about the history of the project.

North of Chaing Ria, the Doi Tung Development Project (http://www.doitung.org)

was initiated by the Princess Mother in 1986. It is a holistic and integrated sustainable alternative livelihood development initiative which strives to ensure that the people of Doi Tung are economically self-reliant and able to continue the process of their own development as responsible citizens. The project works with local people by educating them with skills in dyeing, weaving, ceramics and paper making. By sourcing local materials their products do not compromise the environment or their own cultural values. I am flying out in one week and will be working with the Thai and UK design team for 3months and will keep you posted with my studio practice, woven textiles and research.