Showing posts with label Texere Yarns. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Texere Yarns. Show all posts

Sunday, 9 March 2014

Spinning

On Sunday 2nd March I was invited to take part in a Spinning workshop at Texere Yarns.

I have previously had a go at spinning, and it was great fun to give it another go, the main aim of the day was to get used to using a drop spindle, it was all going so well with the fleece that was brought in, however, as I attempted to try other fibres such as possum! and merino it all started to go a bit wrong.  More practice needed I think!!

It was great to have a go on a spinning wheel as well, I think I preferred this to the drop spindle as I felt my hands could just concentrate on teasing fibres, rather than having to keep spinning the spindle.

It is such an art and I really admire those that do it, they make it look so effortless. 

I came away with an interesting - highly textured, length of yarn, which I intend to have a go at knitting up, although what size needles to use is anyone's guess!

My name is Paula Cutter and I graduated in 2013 with a First Class Honours Degree in Contemporary Surface and Textile Design.  I intend to continue with my exploration of woven design and set myself up as a Designer Maker creating products such as scarves, bags, cushions etc.

I like to explore themes with drawing in different types of media, along with photography.  Whilst studying I began to experiment with alternative image capture techniques, such as pinhole photography.  I intend to continue with this as it is such an interesting and exciting process.

I have an 8 shaft loom on which to create fabrics.  Experimenting with the setting up of the loom, the preparation of the warp and the weave structures will be a continuous journey with many possibilities. 

Whilst studying I wrote a dissertation on the slow movement and as part of this researched sustainable and environmentally friendly fibres, I intend to source yarns with these credentials for my collections.

Alongside my work as a Designer Maker, I am also going to be working part time at Texere Yarns, which I am really excited about.  They are a large mill shop in Bradford, selling yarn, books and accessories along with running workshops throughout the year.

I look forward to the journey and will post images, explorations and thoughts as I go.