This week I visited the Oriole Mill in North Carolina, tomorrow who knows? I went with my program to this Jacquard Weaving Center after having a long semester of learning how to assign weaves in Jacquad. The looms were humongous and I was surrounding by a thousand spools of thread. It was pretty much any Textile Major's dream come true. Initially when finding out alot of my semester was going to be spent weaving a grandma blanket---I was not too pleased nor excited. However, I found a way to make mine cute and modern and I think now its my proudest work ! (And plus I learned the basis of how designs are woven in the industry.) Thanks professor!
The process went by so quick, my blankets were done in minutes! Each heddle moving up and down so fast and powerful it could slice a carrot.
I did two blankets and I am so happy I did because I learned so much between the two. The striped floral goes along with my portfolio collection, found. The second one was my first experiment, a baroque inspired design with light bulbs. 
My favorite!
That's me and my classmates with our woven masterpieces!
4 comments:
Kristina, thanks so much for sharing this! I really enjoyed seeing your behind the scenes work. I went from working at a very high end weaving mill just out of college (Churchill Weavers who is now defunct) to designing just these type of "grandma" blankets as you call them (Love that!). I thought I'd died because to go from High end to big box was not my idea of career advancement! BUT, I learned a ton, especially working at the mill where I could go visit the looms & see the direct results of my weave manipulations. I was so much better positioned to understand the technical side. I'm glad to see that you are interested in learning more about the technical aspects of textile design. Great for you! Keep it up & please keep sharing these types of posts. I've just posted an "off the loom" warp painting project on my blog if you want to check it out.
Hi Heather,
Thanks for your comment! I know it is super confusing b/c our names are nearly identical, but this was actually my intern's (Kristin, not to be confused with Khristian) adventure with her class! Your thoughts are exactly why I wanted her to share her experience. Although parts of the technical side of things can seem mundane, I know for me at least it helps in the creative process. Plus, it really makes you an asset when working with manufacturers! It is really great to know students have access to the full gamut of the industry. Heading to your post now...
I've been to Oriole Mill and it was great to see manufacturing looms merge with artistic work and experimentation. I'm a textile designer in NC so I look at looms all day - sounds exciting but after four years it gets old! But, you are right...there are many technical aspects that I'm glad I know and understand. Bravo and good luck!
haha yeah the Kristin/ Khristian might get confusing. Thank you so much for your comments! Humbly, this undergrad needs all the support as possible moving into the real world and all. I'm starting to get a little nervous!
But I truly felt a grasp of the industry getting so up close to the looms and seeing my designs come to life! Beth Ann Richardson, the supervisor/ head designer of the mill was really good at inspiring me and teaching me this segment of the industry. I also am learning how North Carolina is such a mecca for textile design. Heather,I just checked out your blog too and I love what you are doing with your weave. The painterly affect is going to come out beautifully. Keep us posted!
Post a Comment