Pleating...

Today at university we had a guest visitor from F. Ciment Pleating, David Linnell who was there to show us his business and work of fabric pleating. I have seen his samples before from previous years that he has visited but I still enjoy seeing them and seeing what else he has created. It is also great to hear of the work he has produced and who for, such as for the Queen for the opening ceremony of the Olympics (the famous scene when she 'jumps' out of the helicopter with James Bond).

Also for Lady Gaga, Torvill and Dean when they won gold at the 1984 Olympics, the 1963 Elizabeth Taylor film Cleopatra, Alexander McQueen, Zandra Rhodes and many other films and plays.

The way the pleats are created are interesting too. They use machines that have been used for nearly a 100 years to fold the fabric between two pieces of cardboard that have been folded by hand to create the pattern.

 

A laser cut piece of fabric that has then been pleated. I really like this look. It kind of reminds me of seaweed, and even though you can't see the cut out pattern as clearly as you could if the fabric was laying flat, you still get a distorted version of the pattern which I think is a lovely idea.

 

The cardboard version of a pleat. I really like the cardboard versions, sometimes more than the finished fabric pieces. Maybe it is because the pattern holds firmer than the fabric or that it being made from cardboard has a more natural organic look.

 

A piece of fabric sealed between two pieces of plastic that have been pleated. A technique used for a Lady Gaga costume.

 

A pleated piece of fabric that has curled up to form a round piece of fabric. This could be interesting as a sleeve, as something really structured and bold.

 

 

 

Another cardboard pleat, love the raised section, almost looks like a spine running down the edge.

 

I took loads of pictures but here are some of my favourites...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Warm Feet...

I always enjoy knitting. I also like to learn new skills. What way could I combine the two and create something lovely? SOCKS! I have never knitted socks before in my life or used double ended needles! With the weather getting chillier and my holiday getting closer where we would be staying in a cottage in the peak district I wanted to make sure I had warm feet. I searched and searched and searched the internet looking for a free pattern to use to knit some socks and came across this blog where they had knitted some lovely chunky cable knit socks. Never knitted socks before.... throw a cable into the mix to make it that little bit harder...erm....I thought I might regret it! The instructions were very good and clear and I also used a lot of youtube videos to help with the parts I had never done before such as casting on to double ended needles in a round. For my first try everything worked out pretty well! On my right sock I went slightly wonky towards the toe part but not so you'd notice and as they were for me I didn't stress about it too much.

After completing one sock I then had to get the energy up to do the other one! Maybe I'll stick to christmas stockings in the future? I've had orders from other people to make them a pair so I know what I'll be getting/making people this christmas!

Now I've learnt the skills I want to develop them and practice them more. I want to try other things such as jumpers, hats and mittens! I completed the socks in time for my holiday and they kept my feet very warm :)