Category: weaving

Inspiration was hard to come by after my diploma but a practical project for cushions exploring a new weave structure has emerged.  I wanted to create an cloth with contrasting colours in sections. This plain weave with weft sections raised is pleasing.  My first warp was too small after washing (rusty calculations!) and the edges unsatisfactory, so I covered a small bolster. Now I have just finished a 4m length ready to be turned into cushions.

design source

early truals

trials detail

bolster end

bolster side on

redesign

edges detail of redesign 1

edges of redesign 2

detail edge redesign

final cloth

© sue orton

At last I have completed the South Downs Way, hurrah!  On Friday 25th September 2015 I walked from Queen Elizabeth Country Park to Winchester in one go; yes I am mad.  My decision was taken as both a challenge, could I walk 22 miles, and because public transport is not available now at any convenient time from Exton, the only viable mid point.  An early train and school bus brought me to the climb up Butser Hill at 8.00 am.  I had chosen a fine day, chilly at the start with thick dew and spider’s webs all over the grass with hope of sunshine and clouds through the day.  I ate my second breakfast of boiled egg and flapjack at The Sustainability Centre near East Meon then passed Hyden Hill, Hyden Woods, Wether Down in morning sunshine. I was feeling good but aware of my pace because of the long day ahead. Over Salt Hill through Combe Cross I missed a turning and found myself in Hen Wood…it was beautiful but an extra half mile .. soon back on track.

The sun was heating up as I trudged on baked concrete roads through Whitewood Farm. I was disappointed to see chains across, and thick mud all over the path; it felt as if walkers were not welcomed. It was here that I had my first hint of a blister, so I stopped to treat them before the climb up to Old Winchester Hill.  I had lunch and a re-dress of my blisters overlooking the Meon River valley, soon I would be in Exton and nearly half way.  Skirting the village on the walkers path, I set off telling myself that this was the start of my day’s walk.. needless to say my feet and legs did not believe me.  Up Beacon Hill and a finger post – Winchester 10 miles! 
The next few hours I walked steadily on through field and lanes. Twice in different locations I came across Slow-worms basking in the sun, a real treat.  Crossing and then re-crossing the A272 was tedious and an uninspiring route selection, so by the time I dropped down in hill towards Chilcomb I was very grumpy.  At 5.30 pm I crossed the footbridge over the M27 my personal finishing line; 9hrs 30mins a very long day. I was exhausted but happy to have completed the 100 miles of  The South Downs Way.

© sue orton

As the pressure built in the run up to my final weaving show last month my music tastes fluctuated from boogie woogie through blues to classical. However at points when my nerves were jangling and the to do list seemed endless, Mike Vass was just perfect. I fell in love with his beautiful ‘In the Wake of Neil Gunn’ music inspired by sailing in the Western Isles of Scotland. It was born both from the writings and voyaging Neil (a one time Customs Officer seeking his writer self) and Mike himself seeking creative reassurance after a long illness; it’s beautiful.
Buy it at Mike Vass’s website.

June is the last month of mentoring BIMM students in teaching placements in Brighton before they embark on writing up their Action Research Projects.  As creative multi talented musicians who perform, compose and record their own music I wonder if they will have the courage to flourish and bring their creativity into in the testing and tested school and further education environments, should they wish to join them?  I’m reading Ken Robinson’s – Creative Schools: Revolutionizing Education from the Ground Up just now; essential reading for anyone who wants education to be about thriving and joy not testing.  If you have not see his TED talk which started all this then do: Do Schools Kill Creativity?

© sue orton

So here it is my south downs tweed – winter ©.   It was on display at The Handweavers Studio & Gallery yesterday and will be there with my diploma colleagues work until June 25th 2015.

I have been in the thick of weaving and preparing for my final diploma presentation this week-end. All is now complete and I am ready to present my south downs tweed – winter.  However, before I get into that, I wanted to share a poster I made just last September whilst recovering from an operation and attempting to weave an artistic project for the Diploma.  I was in a good space.