Textiles: Exploring Fabrics (10 credit points)

Special Information

In addition to the course fee, students are expected to provide the following list of indicate tools, materials and equipment:

• Needles and pins

• Fabric scissors and small embroidery scissors

• A quick unpick (essm riper - small sharp device for unpicking stitching)

• Threads for hand and machine stitch (black, white, gray with one or two colours)

• Embroidery hoop – 22cm approx.

• Some plane white / cream cotton fabrics, muslin, calico, and lawn

• Approx 30cm. fabrics can be recycled, shirts sheeting etc. as required

• Selection of sewing machine needles and bobbins

• Hard backed sketchbook

• Some drawing materials, pencils, charcoal, pastels, inks

• Scissors / craft knife

• Glue – Pritt stick, PVA

Content of Course

Over the class sessions the course will cover:

1. Introduction to Fine Art Textile and fabric manipulation.

2. Surface manipulation – pleat, folds, tucks.

3. Gathering, scrunching and dying.

4. Deconstructure constructing fabrics.

5. Developing a personal language through sketch books.

6. Developing a personal project.

7. Presentation, editing and selecting work.

Teaching method(s)

The teaching will be based and delivered in specialist art and design studios or workshops and will typically include a range of practical exercises, introductions to techniques, processes and concepts, and set projects which lead to more focused and personal exploration. Over the course, students’ progress will be monitored and supported by the tutor.  Teaching will include practical demonstrations, one to one tuition, group discussions and critiques.

For work required to be undertaken after the class hours are complete, the course tutor will set students a ‘directed study plan’ which can be undertaken without the need for specialist workshops or access to models.

Directed study will include research into a range of suggested artists and their associated movements to engender a contextual awareness. Students are expected to demonstrate how their research has informed their work through annotated sketchbooks, a visual digital journal and practical outcomes. 

The Directed Study Plan will include preparing evidence of research and practical work to form an appropriate presentation for assessment.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Demonstrate a range of working practices and strategies for recording and developing ideas through a visual journal or sketchbook that will inform and develop your creative awareness of fabric and textile as an expressive art form.

• Show a confident and enquiring use of materials and processes to create a range of textile samples that reflects your visual research.

• Demonstrate appropriate judgment to document, select, edit and present a coherent a range of samples and finished works which demonstrate a creative an informed use of textiles.

Sources

Core Readings

Recommended:

• Monem, N., ed., 2008, Contemporary Textiles - fabric of fine art, London:  Black Dog Publishing.

• Various, Art Textiles of the World series, Telos Books.

• Millar, L., and Astrida B. 2007. Cloth And Culture Now. Canterbury: University for the Creative Arts. Print.

• Textural Space.2001. [Surrey]. Surrey Institute of Art and Design University College, Print.

• Wolff, C. 1996. The Art Of Manipulating Fabric. Radnor, Pa.: Chilton Book Co.  Print.

Journal and periodicals:

• Selvage

• Crafts Magazine

• Embroidery

Web Sources

http://www.textileartist.org

http://www.edge-textileartists-scotland.com

http://www.62group.org.uk

http://www.worldofthreadsfestival.com

Assessment

Details of the Art and Design assessment requirements can be found on the short course website. Please click on the following link for more information: Submission and Assessment Information

Studying for Credit

If you choose to study for credit you will need to allocate significant time outwith classes for coursework and assessment preparation. Credit points gained from this course can count towards the Certificate of Higher Education.

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email COL@ed.ac.uk or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.