Using the same designs I created for my handwoven throws, these custom made ruanas are a great hit at craft fair. And it really is quite a luxury to be able to choose your favourite design and colour – or colours if it is one of my multi-coloured designs – and have it woven especially for you.
Over the next few weeks I shall be writing up about my latest project… My Russian Jumper… which I hope to have finished in time for Christmas. I am hand knitting it from Bluefaced Leicester (BFL) yarn that I spun and plied myself and then naturally dyed. The pattern is also my own creation, although most of the individual motifs…
I thought my autumn leaves photos would be a good introduction to the design process and how to plan and select colours for woven textiles.
I don’t know how many workshops the costumiers Berman and Nathans had scattered about Covent Garden but I do know that working at Orange Street was something else again. We got some really choice costumes to make. The next 70s classic film came along – The Three Musketeers – or is that The Four Musketeers because the film ended up becoming two films.
Working for Bermans and Nathans was my first job and I loved it. It was in the early 70s when London was awash with 20-somethings wearing tie-dye T-shirts, loons, afghan coats and long skirts. Bermans and Nathans were the most highly regarded costumiers in the world at that time. They made costumes for the London theatre but even more excitingly – for me –…
Just when does a love of textiles, a passion for learning ancient crafts and the desire to experiment with pattern, colour and texture begin?