Winter 2016 – Black, Red and White

Old joke: what’s black and white and red all over?

Ans: a newspaper

Or

THE ANNUAL CHAIR’S CHALLENGE

This years challenge will use the colours Black, Red and White. You are asked to make a scarf and it must display, wholly or in part, one of the guilds core skills: weaving, spinning, or dyeing. Please do not add in any other colours; however you can mix and blend the 3 colours together to create shades and tones. Other than that it’s down to you. It could be rectangular, square, circular, frilly, a cowl, or a dickey for fitting under a coat. It can be made for an adult, child or even your favourite pet.
Here are some ideas:

  • Blend some red or black fibre with the white, spin and then construct your scarf.
  • Blend the colours optically in a weaving/ knitting pattern.
  • Tie – dye a silk blank or purchased scarf.
  • Felt it in 2 colours, cutout shapes and needle weave the third colour in the voids.
  • Use one colour as a warp and pattern with the two others
  • Thicken dye and print onto fabric and then construct your scarf.
  • Mix dyes in various ratios to dye a gradient.
  • Weave a totally white scarf and dye with red and black using folded techniques.
  • Weave small squares on a weavette, or make small round weavings ( borrow the guilds circle looms) and join into a scarf.

For those of you who wish to take the challenge further try using the idea of the newspaper to inform your design:

  • Use the shape of the columns to inspire a pattern of blocks of colour or texture.
  • The crossword may inspire a checkered pattern.
  • Photos in print may may you think of grainy or pixelated patterning.
  • Print or fonts could be used to create patterns and ideas.
  • Make a bold statement with a large ‘ headline’ pattern at one end.
  • Maybe different layers inspired by folds/ pages.
  • Graphic colouring, ie starkly black and white with red highlights.

Nervous about joining in our challenge then join forces with someone and create a joint project. Nothing to stop a group of you getting together and making a scarf for the BFG!
Have fun.