The textile course 1: day - structure and surface

Project-based courses for personal development or to begin to build a portfolio for further study. The emphasis is on developing your ideas and your practice using a variety of materials and processes. Basic materials included. Each term has a different focus. This term we will cover stitch, structure and manipulation.

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Key course information

Dates
11/01/12 - 14/03/12

Day(s)
Wed

Duration
10 weeks

Time
10:30 - 16:30

Fees
Full fee: £334
Senior fee: £203

Venue
KS - Keeley Street

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Course code
VX955

Availability
This course has finished

No concessionary fees are available as the limit has been reached.

This course has finished

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Still got questions?
visualarts@citylit.ac.uk or call 020 7492 2700

Course outline

What is the course about?

Investigation, exploration and discovery in textiles.
- Developing practical skills in the use of textile materials, processes and equipment to colour and pattern textiles
- Visual research and developing ideas in sketchbooks through sampling
- Extending knowledge and understanding of textiles as an area of practice

This term you will be learning - Stitch, structure, and manipulation.

This term you will be learning about manipulating and structuring fabrics. You will work using variety of techniques using stitch, quilting and manipulation with a range of materials, drawing, investigating and exploring textures and structures through textiles.

Working with an initial theme you will investigate manipulated textiles through practical sampling and individual project work leading to finished pieces or a portfolio collection depending on your personal choice.

Advanced students or students that have attended previous terms will be able to use and extend the possibilities of these techniques.

The course is structured across a year to provide a varied experience but can be taken on a termly basis. Each term has a different focus.

What topics will we cover?

You will be introduced to and explore methods of creating relief or 3d structures through the use of stitch as a structuring device. This will include quilting, cording, and layering techniques, exploring the properties of a range of fabrics and threads.

A broad based theme is set each term for you to base your initial ideas, research and experimentation on.
More advanced students will be able to take these techniques and extend their possibilities through further experimentation or application to specific project work. Students who have attended an earlier term may combine their knowledge with this term’s techniques.

Class discussion will revolve around individual project work and the work of artists using related methods and ideas and ways of evaluating and developing work.

Outcomes will vary according to the individuals’ aims and experience. Experimental samples and developmental design work in sketch books will back up either a finished textile piece that could be a practical design or an art textile. Alternatively, you may wish to produce a series of resolved samples for portfolio use.

By the end of this course you should be able to:

- Use a sketchbook to research and develop ideas.
- Interpret this research through samples.
- Use a variety of textile materials, and methods for applying colour and pattern.
- Identify the properties of material and techniques used.
- Produce resolved textile work using using various colouring methods

More experienced students will be able to:
- Extend the possibilities of these techniques in relation to ideas.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

The course is designed for students relatively new to the area and more advanced students who want to use the course for further textile development. It can be used to explore and develop your own personal mixed media textiles or to begin to build a portfolio for further study.

If you are a complete newcomer to textiles (have not used a machine or hand sewing needle before and do not have any art and design experience) you might find it useful to first complete the course VX108 Textiles: basics for beginners, as this will introduce you to the basic principles making it easier to learn further textile techniques within a mixed ability group.

Whatever your level of experience you should be able to follow verbal and written instruction in English so that you can work safely in the workshop.

You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion. You should be able to make basic measurements and calculations.

Please look at the rest of the course outline carefully to decide if you may benefit from support in your English and Maths skills to help you to take part fully in this class.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

The course will be practical with group demonstrations of techniques at the start of each session in the first half of the course.

Samples will be shown to give you ideas of the variety of ways you could experiment with the techniques and hand outs will also be provided.

The second half of the course is for your personal project. You will be given individual help where needed and additional techniques may be added as your work develops. You will be shown how to use any tools and equipment safely in the workshop.

Various books and journals will be available for you to look for inspiration and information. Sketch books or files will be useful for the storing of samples and any research you may do.

There will be some set homework for the group, for example, collecting images, planning designs and developing samples.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

Basic materials are covered in the fees. You may need to supplement this with other materials; fabrics, papers, threads etc to suit specific needs or preference and to provide variation. You should have a sketchbook with you for every session.

Do I need to have an interview before I can enrol?

No.

What feedback will I get?

You will receive regular feedback from your tutor throughout the course, as and when appropriate. At the end of the course you and your tutor are asked to assess the progress you have made.

How will I be able to give my views on the course?

Please complete the evaluation form at the end of your course. These are monitored and help us to continually improve our courses.

How do I find out if I can get some support for my learning?

You may be interested in: education and careers advice; financial and childcare support; disability support; support for Deaf and hearing-impaired students; dyslexia support; English and maths support; counselling, and library services (supported learning centre). To find out what may be available to you, and how to apply, see page 213 of the 11/12 course guide, or visit www.citylit.ac.uk/students

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

There is a Textile course 2: advanced practice that takes place in blocks on Saturdays as well as a variety of short courses that would add to your knowledge.

General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Information and Advice Shop, open Monday to Friday 12:00 – 19:00 during term time, and Monday to Friday 12:00 – 17:00 out of term time. See the course guide for term dates and further details.

Who can I contact for further information?

Tel: 020 7492 2700

visualarts@citylit.ac.uk

Please email us for advice or call us during these times:

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays - 9.00 -12.00 & 15:00-18:00

Thursdays - 9.00-12.00

Saturdays - 14.00-17.00

To enrol on a course, call 020 7831 7831.

Contact us

Visual arts

Tel: 020 7492 2700

visualarts@citylit.ac.uk

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