Bath Spa Textile Degree Show

Today was a great day for seeing some fantastic textiles work. The quality and creativity of the pieces on show at the Sion hill Bath campus was impressive. Knitted samples, printed wallpapers, structural textiles, home products, 3D pieces and fabrics with layers of enhancing techniques were on display to the public from the 11th – 15th June. The work was both innovative and beautiful. Below are some ideas which really stood out….

Charlotte Raven – Textile Print Artist

Louise Smales-Cresswell – Textile Designer

Laura Osgood – printed textiles for interiors

Megan Shepard – Textile Designer

Modern Living: How to Make this Sumptuous Charcoal Rag Rug…

You will need…

• A big pile of scrap fabric – fleece is ideal but cotton works too
• A plastic or fabric mesh (to use as a sort of weaving frame)
• A latch hook if you are working on a small scale
• Some durable, thick fabric for the base
• Scissors
• Needle and thread

The materials I used for this were 90% recycled:  fabric cut offs and a square piece of unwanted plastic mesh.  Luckily the fabric scraps were a gorgeous charcoal grey colour which matches my living room perfectly!  The mesh had holes of about 2cm x 2cm, you can find similar online.

1. Cut the fabric pieces into strips of around 4cm x 20cm.  I varied the size of these strips as I like things to look a little ‘Tim Burtonesque’ and not too uniformed!
2. Thread one piece of fabric through the mesh and tie 2 knots at the top to secure.  This is where you would use the hook if it is too fiddly for hands to thread through.
3. Repeat until you have covered all of the mesh and are the proud creator of a full, fluffy rug.  Note – inviting a friend round to watch a film works well for this project as you can ask them to help you tie on the pieces whilst viewing; it’s very therapeutic you know…
4. Optional – depending on the appearance of the underneath of your rug and the materials you used, (and, let’s face it, how much you care about what you can’t see!) you may want to cover the messy bit underneath.  I did this by cutting out a large square of fabric, folding under the edges, pinning, and invisible stitching the square to the fabric pieces of the rug.  I made a paper template for this first as it needs to be accurate and have enough room to turn the edges under (about 3cm for thick fabric).

Hope you enjoy this project – if you have any technical questions feel free to comment below and I’ll get back to you asap xxx

Studio Space

I found this digital picture of my old work space the other day.  Compared to the recent pictures which follow, isn’t the change extreme?!  My desk has journeyed from the corner of a dingy flat to an open white studio-style space complete with fairy lights and feminine touches.  This is a space where I can be inspired, be creative and play with ideas.

Old Desk Space

New Beginnings

Inspiration

Organiser

Me in my studio…

Where is your favourite space?

More Decor!

More homely touches.  I try to design or craft most of the cushions/rugs/Artwork etc around the house but sometimes the odd Ikea or High Street home piece sneaks in!  The following pictures show the eclectic collection of artefacts from our home.

Below: Cushion made from Ikea fabric.  Records photographed by moi and printed on to canvas using an online service.

Above: Pimms in the sun optional!

Photography by Beautiful Plumage.

An Eye for Design Part 2 – The Impact of Illumination

I’ve been back in England now for precisely 7 days.  The Barcelona vacation is a warm fuzzy memory but one I’m clinging to with every fresh bout of grey English drizzle!

As promised, here is the second part of my Spanish design-focused post.  The following lighting ideas left a real impression and I wanted to document the simple yet effective methods of softly enhancing spaces using different lighting techniques.

The first picture was taken on the train from Barcelona to Benicassim.  The smooth black ceiling of this drinks cabin is dotted at random with small holes.  Bright lighting is revealed through these to create the illusion of a night sky.  Because this space had such a calm, relaxed feel to it, we barely spent any time in our designated seats and chose to sit here instead with books, Illy coffees and a shared pack of Oreos.  Yum.

The second and third pictures were taken in our favourite Tapas bar, aptly named Lonja de Tapas which served the best filo prawns I’ve ever eaten.  The lighting in these pictures is shaded by a stylish, delicate-looking wire and paper structure.  The paper pieces look scattered and almost appear to be floating which creates a beautiful and alluring aesthetic.  A simplistic yet gorgeous product.

 

An Eye for Design Part 1 – The Vincci Bit Hotel

Posts have been a little scarce over the last 10 days.  Well, I say scarce; they have actually been non existent!  This is because I have been on holiday with my man to the beautiful City of Barcelona.  It was one of the best holidays of my life.  We navigated around narrow Spanish streets, lazed on beautiful beaches, learned about Picasso, visited chic bars and eateries and were even treated to a roof top barbeque by friends.  As well as the usual holiday snaps I made sure to capture some clever design ideas that I saw along the way.

The Vincci Bit hotel, Barcelona.  Very new and super stylish – adore the photo wall which includes local Artwork, photos and a retro style advert for Apple macs!

The use of monochrome Spanish Textiles compliments the white room perfectly.  Shiny silver metallics and bright yellow accents keep the look contemporary.

The lobby leads on to the bar/restaurant/computer area.  The tall shelves of brightly coloured books & globes add interest whilst the sharply angled lime chairs, scattered lighting and simplistic ceiling doodles complete the fresh eclectic look.

This vintage sign is contrasted with spherical shiny metallic ceiling decor, a textured white wall coating and a super plush chocolate carpet to welcome guests and create that all important first impression.  Definitely design-aware!

The last thing to mention is that all floor hallways are decorated differently.  Level 2 was spray painted in caramel, chocolate an coffee colour shades.  Delicious!

Click here for Vincci Bit Hotel Info

Home Sweet Home

Having holiday time from work has meant much excitement…I have time to address the long long list of sewing projects that I just haven’t got around to yet.  Hooray!

However…I just couldn’t concentrate at my sewing table.  The reason?  The house looked like a bomb site!  After a family visit last week and going straight to the Electric Beach festival in Newquay over the weekend, the house still displayed evidence of world-wind last minute packing and the aftermath of discarded holiday items.  I had to get things clean!

When everything was nice and sparkly I thought I’d take some photos as there are a few new design details e.g. the postcards and the Space Invader vinyl that have been added recently that I wanted to share.  What unusual nic nacs do you add to personalise your home?  I’d love to see some photos!

Fabric Covered Flower Pots

If you need further excuse to be outside in this gorgeous weather try this crafty little project of covering flower pots with recycled fabric – really adds a nice bit of colour/texture/pattern to your garden.  Just cut fabric to correct size and glue on with spraymount or craft glue.  Stretch fabrics e.g. jersey are easiest to adjust.  Simple!

A Great Week for Vintage Part Deux

Another great find this week included this pair of Vintage style curtains. Visiting family in Leicester means that I have access to the staff shop of a well known high street store.  The staff shop is full of samples, returns and sale items and these curtains called to me from the sale rail!  They are perfect for our bedroom which is going to have a classical french feel to it (when I am finished with the decorating and furnishing!).  I will add pictures of the room when it is finished.

After dragging my slightly reluctant family around the staff shop we walked through Leicester city centre.  The John Lewis building here is beautiful – it is decorated with an antique lace print which was taken from Leicester textile manufacturing archives.  What a lovely idea; using this method to link old and new.

The last place we visited on this whistle stop tour was the Pink Pigeon Vintage shop.  I loved the chunky gold nut and bolt necklaces and the vintage chain print scarves.  Lush!

Pink Pigeon flyer below – their online store is currently being developed but be sure to check them out soon…