Progress:
For this project, I really hope to use different techniques to create an image. In the beginning, I was just learning how to weave using one color: orange. After weaving for many inches, I realized that it is starting to look like a sunset and I decided to test out the idea of sunset and see where it takes me. After adding the yellow for the sun and some patterns to mimic a sunset, I decided to also add water so that it looks like a sunset at the beach. After completing the middle grey water area, I wanted to use brighter blue to make the waves and then light brown for the sand. However, as I was creating the waves using light blue, I realized that it would be better if I were to use the idea of under the sea instead of my original plan. I also really enjoy making friendship bracelets and so I use that braiding technique for the leftover yarn from making the waves. Towards the end of my weaving, I realized that the braid looks like swings and so I added a cup I wet felt as swings. I also wanted to add a dangling piece to the original weaving and that also turned into a swing. After completing the weaving, I made some final touches with shells, small decorations, and chopsticks on the top to use for hanging the weaving.
What worked well?
Overall, I think my decision to turn the bottom part into “under the sea” worked out well. When I was doing the grey area, I didn’t really know what was next. I googled some images and really liked one where there are braided waves across and so I decided to try that. This was also taking a risk because my choice of color is drastically different from what I was using. I think that it worked well because it allowed me to be more creative and gave the entire weaving more energy. It allowed me to add different patterns and gaps making the weaving more 3D. I also think that weaving backward worked well. At first, it was hard because I wanted to create images like the ship. However, I later realized that going from top-down allowed me to be more flexible with what I want to include and it was also much easier to add objects/elements to the weaving.
What to improve?
I would have improved the overall shape of the weaving. After taking it off the loom, I realized that some areas are not as straight as others. I also realized that the left side kind of gathers inwards. Someone from class commented that it looks like 1/2 a surfboard. I actually really like the idea of a surfboard and think that it would have gone really well with the weaving. Next time I would make sure that the tension of the yarn is consistent and I would also plan the final shape of the weaving.
What did I learn?
On top of how to weave and how to make different patterns, I also learned that adding objects to the weaving can help bring it to life and that it is okay to not know what to weave. For my weaving, I incorporated a lot of different objects and elements and I think that these things made the weaving more interesting and real. Since the beginning of the weaving, I wanted to create an image and I wanted to plan everything. I feel reassured when I know exactly what to add and what colors I want to use. However, towards the middle, my plans did not really work and I had to pivot. As I continued weaving, the outcome started to give me new ideas which I realized are better than my old ones. For my future weavings, I hope to also add objects/elements and to also let my weaving guide me.
Five Directions:
- Another sunset but with birds, adding origami cranes
- The beach with sand and water, adding shells to the sand
- Full under the sea idea with jellyfish
- Under the sea with Spongebob
- Only the waves but using different patterns and different materials to braid