Illustrated Veg // Evaluation

Evaluation:

The outcome of this brief is different from how I had initially pictured it to be, but I am far happier with the outcome and am glad that I experimented with using the actual vegetables to print with.  The use of mixed media really adds depth to the work.  The over layer of the ink illustration gave it a better look than the prints by themselves.  If I had had more time I would have liked to have used the digital printers in the screen print rooms to print the illustrations onto fabric and then make an apron out of the fabric.  I did begin doing research for this but later decided that I did not have enough time to do this as I needed to move on to the next brief as I had already spent quite a lot of time at the beginning of the year experimenting and felt a bit behind.  Perhaps in the future I will be able to make this happen.

Leeds Print Festival // Photo's of Prints

Unfortunately I did not sell any prints.  I didn't find this surprising however as I was unhappy with how they turned out.  The design lacked quality, I think part of this was due to the original digital print not being dark enough when I took it to get exposed, as it didn't transfer onto the screen very well.  Also the colour choice isn't ideal.  

I do love screen printing though and I hope to have another tackle before the end of the year.

Illustrated Veggies // Designing a Repeated Pattern for Apron

Preparing Design for Screen Print // Mesmerized Squirrell

The Leeds Print Festival is on Friday the 24th of January which has spurred me to finally attempt some screen printing.  Fingers Crossed the prints will come out well!  So far I have cleaned the screens and now need to coat them.

This is the design which I will be screen printing.  To begin with, I'm starting with a two colour screen print.

Illustrated Veggies // Furthering the Kitchen Range

I was disappointed after the flag brief when Luke and I failed to get our flag printed onto fabric.  Therefore I am considering adding an apron to the Illustrated Veggies Range.  (I think this may already be one of the design outcomes anyway)

Other Idea's to Further the Range Include:

• Place mats/ coasters
• Tea Towels 
• Fridge Magnets 
• Recipe Book?

Aprons and Pinnies are very popular right now.  It also means I get to practice my sewing!  I have found a few patterns/ tutorials online which will be extremely helpful in my endeavors.

For this example I will have to convert the measurements.  The shape is simple yet sophisticated.

 

Material List For Free Apron Pattern "Simple Waist Apron"

• 1 Yard of 45 inch wide cotton fabric that you love !! Optional for tie: 2 yards of 2.5 inch grosgrain ribbon
• A 10 inch piece of medium wide rick rack or other trim.

Sewing Instructions for Free Apron Pattern " Simple Waist Apron"

Apron Body: Cut one piece of fabric 36 inches wide x 22.5 inches long.

Ties: Cut 4 pieces of your fabric- 3 inches wide x 36 inches long. disregard in you purchased ribbon for your tie.

Pocket: Cut 1- 10 inch x 10 inch square

Apron Body: turn top down 1/4 of a inch to the inside,press, turn again and sew down close to the pressed edge.

Do the same for the hem, then to both sides of the apron body.You now have your apron body completed.

Tie: Do this if you are using the fabric for your tie.

Take 2 of the cut out tie pieces and with right sides together sew the 3 inch width, use a 3/8 inch seam. Do this to both. You will now have 2- 72 inch long ties.(approx)

Ties continued: On each tie press the long edges under 1/4 of an inch to the inside. Press the short ends under the same 1/4 inch and also to the inside.

Now place the tie lengths wrong sides together, pin and sew close to the edge the entire length as well as the ends. Make adjustments here so the ties are laying neatly on each other before you start to sew.

Pocket: Turn down top edge of pocket to the inside and press, turn again and press down well. Lay the trim at top of this edge, pin if you need to or gently and slowly sew through the trim and the pressed down seam.

Pocket continued: at pocket sides turn to the inside 1/4 inch, press well, now bring the bottom hem of the pocket up and to the inside, press well again.

Pocket placement: place your pocket either to the left or right side of you apron body. Pin in place. To check yourself and to make sure it's level. Measure from the top, bottom and sides adjusting as you need to. When it is perfectly in place, sew along the 2 sides and the bottom - Don't Sew Your Top Closed.

Apron Body Top Edge: Run a gather stitch by hand. Draw the gathering stitch until you apron is 17-20 inches wide.

1. Fold your Apron Body in half to locate the center, mark.
2. Fold your tie or ribbon in half to locate center.
3. Place the center of the tie at the center apron body marking-remember this is your tie so keep this at the very top edge of the body piece.
4. Looking at the inside of your apron, smooth the gathers down so that it will be as smooth as possible after you are done attaching the tie or ribbon.
5. Get it all smoothed out at the inside, check your measurement many times to make sure you are maintaining the 17-20 inches, also make sure that you will have the same length of ties on both ends by checking the center of your tie.
6. Pin tie in place and slowly sew on both the top edge and the lower edge.