PATTERNING THE PATTERN

The pattern is an essential key to our work as we continue to explore the process of developing surface design while deepening our understanding of the elements and principles of art that go into our textile work. Perhaps we have discovered the essence in a piece we’ve created yet wish to develop further. Do we envision this on the body, in the home, or as an installation? 

 In this workshop, we will continue our textile mind-body practices through focused work with brush, paper, and scissors to explore size, scale, repetition, rhythm, and balance. There will be particular emphasis on deconstructing and/or layering a patterned cloth that we’ve already created. We will investigate the placement of shapes, pattern repetition, or changing the pattern of our surface design with added hand or machine stitching. 

 Through creative patternmaking, we may also choose to develop a garment design pattern for our textile, perhaps by altering a historical shape such as the kimono to fit our body. Always paying attention to both the inside and outside, there will be demonstrations of seam construction and finishing techniques.

 Depending on the complexity of your design, a fully finished piece may not be fully realized during the workshop, though working in a community will facilitate our textile piece moving into the world.

 A brief movement qigong/meditation practice will begin each day to encourage presence and awareness. By paying attention to not just the form we are creating, but also to our form as we create, we encourage mind body connection to deepen our studio practice and discover relationships and connections to inform our evolution. 

 Process + Awareness + Connection workshop is a recommended prerequisite, but not required.