Hannah's Botanicals

Wednesday, 10 October 2012

Weave Test

I have not posted much since the end of summer. Will try to take more pictures of my Uni work and post them up here. Recently finished the dreadful warping up process. I made so many mistakes and so many ends still keep breaking. The project at the moment is colour and weave effects, (pics to come soon).

I have been so busy since the start of Uni so here is a picture for the meantime of something i am working on at the moment;

A test sample. I tried to make a slight checkered pattern with this one, which was not the origional test. I painted on the warp threads a pattern before weaving it by hand to see if the pattern would show. If you slightly squint your eyes you can sort of see the spiraly black image. Think i am going to make this piece into a purse. Still debating it as i like when it is spread out. I was folding it in different ways the other day and wrapped it round my phone. My phone looked really cosy! Might try making some phone socks. This piece feels so soft and smooth, it is a delight to touch.

Friday, 20 July 2012

Barcelona Bag

I made this bag mainly to use as my hand luggage for my holidays in Barcelona with my boyfriend Sean. I love the fabric on this bag especially the orangey, green patterned upholstery fabric from an old sofa my mum had. Along with other fabrics I got from Libertys in London and some patchwork fabric from Mandors in Glasgow (this screamed patchwork me together!). My first attempt at patch-working fabrics together for a bag. It was quite hard trying to understand how to patch them together. Next time will sew them more strategically together. I love this bag, it makes me feel like I am in another country by just looking at it.

Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining

Every Cloud has a silver lining. I find the front of this purse fascinating and it definitely reminds me of purpley blue storm clouds crashing together in the sky forming a strong bold contrast. Even though it can be quite depressing when it is raining and stormy; there is that moment when the clouds boom together giving you that feeling of excitement and for the fortunate people who are inside during that moment a satisfaction of warmth of contentment which is portrayed in the raffia and the silver threads henceforth; Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining. The Rain will soon stop. The clouds will soon move. And there soon will be a ray of sunshine at some point.

Wednesday, 27 June 2012

Hand-Woven Mat/Art Piece

I made this lovely mat piece for my Uncle and Aunts silver wedding anniversary. Took me forever to weave and come up with the design of what yarns to put next and how I wanted it to look but I think its a sensational piece. I'm very happy with this design as it took me ages to make! Absolutely love the varied textures and the colour balance is just right with feathers trapped between the raffia which I did zig-zag sewing on the machine with orange coloured machine thread which adds to the textural quality of this piece. I originally designed this to be a Mat however its a very unfunctional precious mat as you cant wash it and its quite delicate. My Uncle and Aunt saw it as an Art piece and were placing it on the wall and I thought "Hey! I never thought of it like that!" But from thinking that and seeing a different perspective of my piece it does look rather good on the wall. Delighted that they loved it!!

Tuesday, 19 June 2012

Purpley Orange Purse

This purse didn't take me that long to make. Though I did keep putting it at the back of the pile because I didn't really know how to join it so it fastens like a purse. I backed this purse up with cardboard so it was firmer, and used lots of different textural yarns from soft and fluffy to the straw like raffia (one of my favourite mediums to use). This is a strong focal point of this particular purse. It stands out because of the colour and shape, its very eye catching and makes you want to touch it to see how it feels. Though I put it off, this purse is definitely growing on me. I love the colour!!

Monday, 28 May 2012

Nature Purse

My favorite woven purse i made so far. Love the bold bright colours mixed with the greys. The texture and feel of this purse is lovely. Amazing that the grey, black and white parts used to be a scarf which i didn't want anymore. up-cycling definitely works for this purse.

I think the colours for this purse are definitely inspired by nature. The foresty greens, browns and yellows of the ground; slowly mellowing out with the blue, grey and white cloudy colours of the sky.

Sunday, 27 May 2012

Summer Bag

A summery printed bag with embroidery on. Took me a while to make but hopefully every stitch was worth it. I love it against the tree which sounds weird but just looks like its meant to be outdoors. I made the strap long enough to fit over your head as a shoulder bag that goes across or just on the shoulder (if that makes sense?) I personally don't like bags that you have on your shoulder and it keeps slipping off, so this is the reason for the long strap. I stuffed the strap with stuffing so its not sore on your shoulder when you carry things in it. A very practical summery bag with a small pocket on the inside.