Distant Stitch - Module 1 Chapter 1 - Embroidery Certificate

MODULE 1 - CHAPTER 1

Distant Stitch - Module 1 Chapter 1 - Embroidery Certificate 

Mo1Ch1- a ::: Definitions
Mo1Ch1- b ::: Cross Photographs
Mo1Ch1- c ::: Cross Graphite Rubbings
Mo1Ch1- d ::: Line Drawings / Magazine Clippings
Mo1Ch1- e ::: Colour Wheel

 ::: DT - MoCh1- a - Definitions
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• Definition : Cross 

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Definition : Cross acc to Wikipedia
- a mark, object, or figure formed by two short intersecting lines or pieces (+ or ×)

- an upright post with a transverse bar, as used in antiquity for crucifixion.

• My Definition of Crosses

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- for the purpose of this course 

- any line that visibly crosses over another line 
- an intersection of 2 ways, 2 lines

- can cross at any angle

- can cross at multiple layers

- can cross in increments repeated 
- geometric grid cross formations 

• Types of Crosses : 

Brainstorm without References 

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- Crucifix

- Crossroad

- Plus sign +  Multiply 

- Windmill

- Crossbar

- Cross Country 

- Criss Cross

- Noughts and Crosses

- Level Crossing ( Train) 

- Compass

- Clock

- Cross Stitch

• Types of Crosses : 

Brainstorm with References 

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- Maltese Cross

- Celtic Cross
- Crossed Arrows ( Symbol of Friendship - Native American) 
- Crossed Pathways (  Symbol of Communication - Native American) 
- Red Cross ( International Symbol of Medical Help Associations) 

• Contextual Cross Meanings

- Crossbred ( taking 2 different animal or plant species and cross breeding = hybrid ) 
- To cross the line ( to overstep a mark) 
- Midpoint Cross ( crosses indicating kisses at the end of correspondence) 
- Midpoint Cross ( a mark of a person who cannot write to add a signature)
- A Cross Between ...  ( signifying a mixture of 2 different things with inherent familiar qualities) 
- Crossed Wires ( causing electrical interference, coll. meaning that a message got misunderstood) 
- To cross off the list ( to indicate something has been achieved) 
- Cross my Heart ( promising to tell the truth) 
- To be cross ( to be ill tempered )
________________________

Time: 1 hour
Cost: None

ACLFieldlogTextiles,  ACLFieldLogDistantStitchCertificate

DT - Embroidery Certificate Module 1 Chapter 1 a - Primary Research Definitions of  Crosses

 ::: DT - MoCh1- b - Cross Photographs
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Pictures of Crosses - DT- Mo1Ch1 b / Image 1.0

• Taking a walk around Hastings, noticing crosses, both used as architectural design elements, spontaneous graffiti art or arising as a result of whether influences 

- location : Fieldtrip ,Hastings , U.K. Sept 2017

- material : iphone camera 
- #ACLFieldlogTextiles

Pictures of Crosses - DT- Mo1Ch1 - b  / Image 1.1

• This wall featured a large array of graffiti symbols, seemingly with no particular narrative or message, at least that I could easily identify. I searched out the various cross symbols and noticed the spontaneous line mark-making and liveliness of the individual crosses

- location : Fieldtrip ,Hastings , U.K. Sept 2017

- material : iphone camera 
- #ACLFieldlogTextiles

Pictures of Crosses - DT- Mo1Ch1 - b  / Image 1.2

• Crosses arranged on architectural grid lines seem to be prevalent everywhere. Here some cross designs found on metal ground covers window frames and architectural railings.

- location : Fieldtrip ,Hastings , U.K. Sept 2017

- material : iphone camera 
- #ACLFieldlogTextiles

Pictures of Crosses - DT- Mo1Ch1- b / Image 1.3

• During a mooch around an antique stop I noticed cross design elements used on ceramics, textiles, both printed and woven and an old radio speaker . 

- location : Fieldtrip ,Hastings , U.K. Sept 2017

- material : iphone camera 
- #ACLFieldlogTextiles

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Pictures of Crosses - DT- Mo1Ch1 - b / Image 1.4

• at the museum of Art in Hastings , one of the halls featured these imposing stained glass windows. What interested me was the architectural use of the window construction against the design feature of the stained glass itself.  Utilizing the light and shadow play during different parts of the day, the dark cross of the actual window frame construction is visible when viewed from far enough away and displays a large christian cross in the background of the cross grid pattern featured on the stained glass design itself. 

- location : Fieldtrip , Museum of Art, Hastings , U.K. Sept 2017

- material : iphone camera 
- #ACLFieldlogTextiles

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Pictures of Crosses - DT- Mo1Ch1 b / Image 1.5

• these examples were found in the exhibit featuring the story if the life of " Grey Owl" , an Englishman who hailed from Hastings in the UK but chose to emigrate to Canada age 17 and live life as a " Native American" would. He was particularly active in native conservation with especial focus on the protection of beavers. 

• lots of cross motifs are found in native American bead embroidery, many suggest the elements of the land, fire, water, air and earth as well as crossroads and pathways in the four directions, north, south, east and west. The symbol of two linear geometric shapes or lines shapes overlapping lends itself well to represent many of these concepts

- location : Fieldtrip , Museum of Art, Hastings , U.K. Sept 2017

- material : iphone camera
- #ACLFieldlogTextiles

Pictures of Crosses - DT - Mo1Ch1 - b  / Image 1.5 a 

Pictures of Crosses - DT - Mo1Ch1 - b  / Image 1.5 b

Pictures of Crosses - DT - Mo1Ch1 - b  / Image 1.5 c

Pictures of Crosses - DT - Mo1Ch1 - b  / Image 1.5d




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===> you can view more Samples of Native American bead embroidery from my Fieldtrips
Native American Bead Embroidery from the Museum of Art Hastings

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Pictures of Crosses - Mo1Ch1 - a  / Image Collection 2 

Pictures of Crosses - Dt Mo1Ch1 - b  / Image Collection 2.0 

• I choose to start by randomly grouping cross images together, as I know with my way of working I find a mix more satisfying than a predictable sorting . Letting my eye drift from cross to cross more ideas start floating in rather than ponder and get distracted by their story and individual associations

• I tired sorting them later into particular categories as instructed, those images can be seen in the line drawings section
• I printed all of these image collections out, added them to my notebook and lablled all the place where i took the photos as a reference.
  

Pictures of Crosses - DT - Mo1Ch1 - b  / Image Collection 2.1

• I experimented with removing all colour from my reference images as I find it often distracts me from seeing the actual shapes and relationships of the lines to each other 

• I find working with black and white images more inspiring, relying just on contrast of tonal values without the additional consideration for colour  

Pictures of Crosses - DT - Mo1Ch1 - b  / Image Collection 2.2

Pictures of Crosses - DT - Mo1Ch1 - b  / Image Collection 2.3 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Distant Stitch - Embroidery Certificate Module 1 Chapter 1 b - Primary research Pictures of Crosses - Native American Bead Embroidery in Textile Design  
#ACLFieldlogTextiles - Sketchbook Recordkeeping & Textile Student Log
ACLFieldLogDistant StitchCertificate,

 ::: DT - MoCh1- c - Graphite Rubbings of Crosses
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Pictures of Crosses - DT - Mo1Ch1 - c  / Image 2.2d

• In the Art Museum in Hastings there is a room decorated with intricately carved wooden panels. Many of them featured cross grids which I tried to get rubbings off. Challenges presented themselves with the designs that had only small raised areas and the rest at a lower elevation so the rubbings were only partially successful. However I quite liked the unpredictability of the design that emerged. I very much enjoy the shadow effects and wondered how similar effects might be achieved with textiles.

- location : Fieldtrip , Museum of Art, Hastings , U.K. Sept 2017

- material : iphone camera 
- #ACLFieldlogTextiles

Pictures of Crosses - DT - Mo1Ch1 - c / Image 2.0 a

• this design made me think of the close relations of crosses and stars , lines intersecting, aligning, repeating all suggesting a certain symbolic communication depending on the viewers predisposed ideas of what a star is defined as and what a  cross is.

• Here the peaks of the central flower design was the highest raised area and prevented the lines underneath from rendering with the crayon I had used . I am hoping to perhaps sketch this design to explore the different pattern connections
  

- location : Fieldtrip , Museum of Art, Hastings , U.K. Sept 2017

- material : iphone camera 
- #ACLFieldlogTextiles

Pictures of Crosses - DT - Mo1Ch1 - c / Image 2.0 b

Pictures of Crosses - DT - Mo1Ch1 - c / Image 2.0 c 

 

Pictures of Crosses - DT - Mo1Ch1 - c / Image 2.1a

• This image comes from a metal grate, or ventilation cover that was found on the floor of the room. Having had a lot of footfall over the years and interesting patina had built up
   

• When making the rubbing I enjoyed the different textured lumps and bumps that seem to give the design a much more lively character then perhaps a flat polished metal surface would have.
  

- location : Fieldtrip , Museum of Art, Hastings , U.K. Sept 2017

- material : iphone camera 
- #ACLFieldlogTextiles

Pictures of Crosses - DT - Mo1Ch1 - c / Image 2.1 b

Pictures of Crosses - DT - Mo1Ch1 - c / Image 2.1 c

Pictures of Crosses - DT - Mo1Ch1 - c / Image 2.2a

- location : Fieldtrip , Museum of Art, Hastings , U.K. Sept 2017

- material : iphone camera 
- #ACLFieldlogTextiles

Pictures of Crosses - DT - Mo1Ch1 - c / Image 2.2 b

Pictures of Crosses - DT - Mo1Ch1 - c / Image 2.2 c

Pictures of Crosses - DT - Mo1Ch1 - c / Image 2.3 a

- location : Fieldtrip , Museum of Art, Hastings , U.K. Sept 2017

- material : iphone camera 
- #ACLFieldlogTextiles

Pictures of Crosses - DT - Mo1Ch1 - c / Image 2.3 b

Pictures of Crosses - DT - Mo1Ch1 - c / Image 2.3 c

Picture of Cross - DT - Mo1Ch1 - c / Image 2.4 a

- location : Fieldtrip , Museum of Art, Hastings , U.K. Sept 2017

- material : iphone camera 
- #ACLFieldlogTextiles

Picture of Cross - DT - Mo1Ch1 - c / Image 2.4 b

Picture of Cross - DT - Mo1Ch1 - c / Image 2.4 c

•  I particularly liked the " puffed out" shadow effect that the graphite rubbing resulted in on the cross design. Perhaps the particular edge of the crayon I was using rendered it in this way. 

• I imagine using a hand-applique technique with a padded insert on a soft woven fabric could well be used to represent this idea

Picture of Cross - DT - Mo1Ch1 - c / Image 2.4d

• I found a tomb during a visit to the textile exhibition at the Garden Museum , and the tombstone had a metal edged cross engraved into it. It was of a small enough size to be able to take a rubbing from it
•  some side decorations had a cross grid which also provided a crayon rubbing opportunity. Having decided that my complimentary colour scheme is going to include an orangish hue, I chose an orange crayon for a different effect from graphite
  

 
Materials:  graphite crayon , sketchbook paper
Cost : £1 in materials, entry to museum free




::: DT - MoCh1- d - Line Drawings of Crosses
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• I have decided to include the reference images for some of my favourite crosses here again so I can keep track of them
  

Line Drawings of Crosses  - DT- Mo1Ch1- d - Image 1.0

• This exhibit shows an early 19th century " Fox and Geese" gameboard made out of wood . It is similarly played to chinese chequers , except here a fox chases 13 geese. 
• The cross design caught my eye as its geometrical nature holds within itself a multitude of different cross design elements as well as forming a larger cross of the whole gameboard

- location : Fieldtrip , Museum of Art, Hastings , U.K. Sept 2017

- material : wood
- #ACLFieldlogTextiles

Line Drawings of Crosses  - DT- Mo1Ch1- d - Image 1.1

• some initial pencil sketches letting the game-board cross designs act as a starting point whilst not holding on to its entirety but rather letting myself play with the concept idea 

Line Drawings of Crosses  - DT- Mo1Ch1- d - Image 1.2

• using my hand-dyed fabrics and embroidery floss to explore the basic elements for the smaller cross which is made up initially of a set of 9 dots 
• using simple french knots in single strand thread on cotton and linen cloth, then reverse applique a contrasting cloth window 
• I enjoy the " arising" nature achieved when simply cutting an opening and hand applique it into place without wanting to achieve perfect symmetry. 
• To me the unpredictable nature of the end result is an essential part of my work which I am keen to preserve as much a possible.

 

Line Drawings of Crosses  - DT- Mo1Ch1- d - Image 2.0

•  Noticing the cross designs in the railings of St Leonards on Sea's pier
• interlocking crosses can be broken down into various parts and re-arranged to create different types of cross formations
• sketchbook explorations using a loose pen and ink approach to not get bogged down into not much detail but instead keep a free flow of movement

- location : Fieldtrip , St Leonard on Sea , U.K. Sept 2017

- material : pen and ink in sketchbook
- #ACLFieldlogTextiles

Line Drawings of Cross  - DT- Mo1Ch1- d - Image 2.2

Line Drawings of Cross  - DT- Mo1Ch1- d - Image 2.1

• I noticed on my walk within St Leonard's on Sea various similar wrought iron railing designs featuring cross bars, wondering whether the style of architecture was prevalent at a certain time and many building constructions aligned with the same design features

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Line Drawings of Cross  - DT- Mo1Ch1- d - Image 3.0

• responding to the photograph of the graffity wall that I had taken on my fieldtrip
• noticing the cross formations in a loose spontaneous hand added to a rough surface wooden wall
• using an ink marker pen I sketched various varieties of crosses , taking the lead from the initial inspiration but letting the flow develop on its own
• I liked the different line qualities and angles that produced lively crosses that seem to take on a symbolic nature
• when arranged in a line they cross symbols seemed to me like a coded ancient language of sorts, which led me to think about the origin of language on the whole, and how symbolic communication is thought to have been the precursor
• further thoughts on how differently the word or meaning " cross " is used in general language
• to cross over - into a next life
• to cross yourself -  in protection
• to cross out - a mistake 
• to cross out - a tally 
• to cross your heart - to tell the truth

- location : Fieldtrip , St Leonard on Sea , U.K. Sept 2017

- material : pen and ink in sketchbook
- #ACLFieldlogTextiles

Line Drawings of Cross  - DT- Mo1Ch1- d - Image 3.1

Line Drawings of Cross  - DT- Mo1Ch1- d - Image 4.0

Line Drawings of Cross  - DT- Mo1Ch1- d - Image 4.2

• I noticed this artefact when visiting the upper galleries of the museum which hosted a collection of items intended for various games. This is labelled as a " Swimming Paddle" circa 1880 and said to be belonging to a Jack Merrifield. The wooden paddle holds a leather "glove" type holder which is laced to fit the recipients foot. I believe this is meant to be a forerunner of swimming flippers. 

• I noticed the lace mechanism and the criss cross design that is used to tighten the string, I used this as a starting point for my sketches

- location : Fieldtrip , Hastings, Museum of Art , U.K. Sept 2017

- material :leather and wood
- #ACLFieldlogTextiles

Line Drawings of Cross  - DT- Mo1Ch1- d - Image 4.1

Line Drawings of Cross  - DT- Mo1Ch1- d - Image 4.3

• I chance arrangement of my sewing pins inspired me to create a more obvious pattern resembling the lacing holes, at first I tired it on a sewing cushion but the material was too soft and the needles kept bending around , second I tried some styrofoam sheet which fared much better in stabilising the needles whilst I wound the thread around them

Line Drawings of Cross  - DT- Mo1Ch1- d - Image 4.4

• by winding the thread around the needles I aimed to create a loose image of movable threads that perhaps symbolise the constant movement of lacing... loose and tight ... each thread at a different tension
•  on a second strip I stitched a simple line stitch , fastening the cross with a counter-cross stitch in the middle and indicating the holes by means of french knots... the plant dyed fabric frayed a little at the end which I liked as a way of indicating an opening

Line Drawings of Cross  - DT- Mo1Ch1- d - Image 4.5

• a close up of the fixing of the individual cross partitions .. I carefully angled the needle underneath the cloth but above the styrofoam base to secure the cross corners in place 

Line Drawings of Cross  - DT- Mo1Ch1- d - Image 4.6

• the final cross lace stitched in place
• I enjoy these mini textile sketches that elaborate on the sketchbook sketches and let me explore different kinds of responses to an inspiration
• textile line sketches sometimes lead me to view  a design differently, appreciating its construction more

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Line Drawings of Cross  - DT- Mo1Ch1- d - Image 5.0

•  this image caught my eye  in the Native American exhibit featuring ceramic works. It is a canteen from the Sikyatki ( acc to wikipedia :
  Sikyátki is an archeological site and former Hopi village spanning 40,000 to 60,000 square metres (430,000 to 650,000 sq ft) on the eastern side of First Mesa )
  
  
• The simple split cross design evoked a very individual narrative open to the viewers interpretation. I wondered what kind of distinct story it once told and whether it had long lost its meaning or understanding. Symbolic communication however seems to hold a universal appeal and interpretation for me.

- location : Fieldtrip , Hastings, Museum of Art , U.K. Sept 2017

- material : clay
- #ACLFieldlogTextiles




Line Drawings of Cross  - DT- Mo1Ch1- d - Image 5.1

• initial sketches of the inner design with a focus on the cross design elements 

Line Drawings of Cross  - DT- Mo1Ch1- d - Image 5.2

• the simplicity of the cross design contrasted to perhaps more elaborate and decorative cross elements ... Does simplicity hold a more definite meaning or does embellishment serve to underline a narrative ?

Line Drawings of Cross  - DT- Mo1Ch1- d - Image 5.3

• I isolated the inner cross design and attempted a very loose interpretation of the cross design, taking care not to loose the spontaneous nature of the markmaking on clay 

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Line Drawings of Cross  - DT- Mo1Ch1- d - Image 6.0

• 6.0 SYMBOLIC - Crosses that carry a symbolic meaning
• the next task I set myself was to find magazine clippings which had images of crosses that were not necessarily obvious at first glance
• here a crossword ...
•  and the idea of 
• " crossing pathways" ... 
• " X marks the spots " ...
• " crossing of lines " ... 
• " missing crosses " " ... 
• " follow the cross ==> directions " ...

- location : Studio at Home, October  2017
- material : magazine clippings, pen and ink, glue
- #ACLFieldlogTextiles

Line Drawings of Cross  - DT- Mo1Ch1- d - Image 6.1

• 6.1 CONTEXTUAL / IMPLIED  - Crosses that carry imply a meaning in a given context
• in these cross images I liked the ideas of 
• " edges " 
• " borders" 
• " contrasts " 
• " crossing over" 
• " crossing the line" 

Line Drawings of Cross  - DT- Mo1Ch1- d - Image 6.2

• 6.2 DECORATIVE / ARTY - Cross Images that serve a decorative purpose
• sometimes the lines are blurred as to when an image is purely decorative or purely functional or even a mixture of both 
• in these cross pictures I like the idea of 
• " focal points " ...
• " geometrical cross suggestions of structure " ...
• " bold linear visuals that are familiar " ..

Line Drawings of Cross  - DT- Mo1Ch1- d - Image 6.3

• 6.3 Pattern Repeat - Cross Images that are created due to a repeating pattern design
• particularly within textiles certain design elements are repeated, placed next to each other in various linear formations... these placements often result in crossing's over
• these images suggest ideas of 
• " interlocking " ..
• " continuation " ...
• " predictability " ...
• " stability " ... 
• " calm " ...

 Line Drawings of Cross  - DT- Mo1Ch1- d - Image 6.4

• 6.4 CONSTRUCTIONAL  - Crosses that are used to offer stability within a design
•  here I focussed on a series of images where different design lines intersected to form crosses as a result of it 
• these images suggest , within the context of looking at crosses, the following to me
• " stability " ...
• " integrity " ...
• " balance " ...
• " strength " ...

Line Drawings of Cross  - DT- Mo1Ch1- d - Image 6.5

 Line Drawings Design Sheet

• having hang up a variety of the cross images from my research on my walls , I took a sheet of white paper and let the designs inspire me
• mostly adhering to the cross designs as they presented themselves, simplifying where I deemed it necessary, expanding where an idea translated itself
  

- location : Studio at Home , October  2017

- material : pen and ink in sketchbook
- #ACLFieldlogTextiles

  *****************************************************************************

Time spent  : 16 hours
cost: £ 6 ( sketchbook and inkpen , cotton thread , scrap of linen )
      

Distant Stitch - Line Drawings Crosses - ACLFieldlog Embroidery Certificate Module 1 - Textile Design Studies
#ACLFieldlogTextiles - Sketchbook Recordkeeping & Textile Student Log

  ::: DT - MoCh1- e - Design a Colour Wheel
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Designing a colour wheel - DT - Mo1Ch1 - e 

Designing a colour wheel - DT - Mo1Ch1 - e Image 1.0

• the next exercise of designing a colour wheel, using both a cool and a warm version of the 3 primary colours yellow, red and blue

• for my example I chose lemon yellow/ochre, vermillion red/crimson and ultramarine blue/cerulean blue combinations

• different effects were accomplished by adding more or less pigment to achieve harmonious colour values sitting adjacent to each other on the wheel 

 Designing a colour wheel - DT - Mo1Ch1 - e Image 1.1

• my completed colour wheel 

• I found it difficult to photograph the colour wheel properly, having tried several methods I opted for a close up with a daylight bulb, but still the individual variations do not properly show the clarity of colour changes on the original

 

Designing a colour wheel - DT - Mo1Ch1 - e Image 1.2

• here my various practice and experiment sheets finding the right values of the colours 

• I was pleased that after several pigment changes I came to a colour option that was pleasing to me, and surprised what a change a cooler or warmer addition could make to provide harmony

Designing a colour wheel - DT - Mo1Ch1 - e Image 1.3

• in addition to the original colour wheel shades and hues I experimented with adding both the cool and warm version of the yellow and red primary together before adding white and black ... 

• in this way I discovered that when starting with a mixed tone of the primary, both the cooler and the warmer version will add a different dimension yet remain more complimentary than when starting off with a single tone alone

- location : Studio at Home , October  2017

- material : gouache on watercolour paper and sketchbook pages
- #ACLFieldlogTextiles

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Time spent  : 3 hours
cost: £ 20 ( gouache set  )
DT - Colour Wheel - Embroidery Certificate Module 1 Chapter 1 e

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Time Spent on Chapter 1 of Module 1

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 MODULE 1 - CHAPTER 1

• Mo1Ch1- a ::: Definitions - 1 hour 

• Mo1Ch1- b ::: Cross Photographs - 10 hours

• Mo1Ch1- c ::: Cross Graphite Rubbings - 1 hour

• Mo1Ch1- d ::: Line Drawings / Magazine Clippings - 16 hours

• Mo1Ch1- e ::: Colour Wheel - 3 hours

• Admin - Recording, Filing, Set up Blog & Blogging - 13 hours

Total Time spent  : 45 hours
cost: £ 6 ( sketchbook and inkpen , cotton thread , scrap of linen )
         £20 ( gouache set) 
   

Observations on Chapter 1 of Module 1

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• it took quite a while to sort out the administrative site of this chapter, developing a recording system and a numbering system that make sense to me and hopefully will make sense to my tutor
• I needed to find a way to blog on the go as it were and was able to locate an app on my phone with which to upload photos on the go. This method allows me to keep track whilst travelling, and then being able to fill in the missing bits once back at home on the laptop
• to that effect I have also decided to blog each part of the chapter separately, and then write a draft of an completed module blog entry at the finished stages to make it easier for both my tutor and me. Keeping regular interval blogs helps me to focus and feel a sense of achievement, making a combined blog entry in order of assignment hopefully makes it easier for my tutor to navigate.
• I am hoping the next chapter will be completed somewhat speedier once the system starts to become routine.

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Distant Stitch - Line Drawings Crosses - ACLFieldlog Embroidery Certificate Module 1 - Textile Design Studies
#ACLFieldlogTextiles - Sketchbook Recordkeeping & Textile Student Log