All About: Needles

Another indispensable tool in the arsenal of textile artists is the needle - tiny in size but with the power to reduce you to tears and/or cause you to say things that would merit having your mouth washed out with soap...

A Guide to Sewing Machine Needle Selection
http://www.allbrands.com/pages/NeedleSelectionGuide.php

All About Sewing Machine Needles
http://www.wwwearables.com/techniques/sewing_needles.htm

Anatomy of a Needle
http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/t00185_sb1.asp

Dull Needle Illustration - many machine problems can be corrected by simply changing the needle - through the use of magnification, this illustration demonstrates why http://www.a1sewingmachine.com/needles.htm

Embroidery Needle Reference Chart
http://www.countrybumpkin.com.au/article_info.php?articles_id=415

Embroidery Needles: How to Select the Right Needle for Your Project; and Easy Steps for Choosing the Correct Needles for Today's Needlework.
http://www.victorian-embroidery-and-crafts.com/needles.html

Fabric/Needle Cross Reference
http://www.sews.com/notions/needles/machine/machineneedles.html

Hand Sewing Needle Guide
http://www.sewing.org/files/guidelines/22_110_hand_sewing_needle_guide.pdf

How’s Your Needle Knowledge? – this excellent video takes you through all of the basics about needles from detailed information about the parts of a needle to the differences between the European & American sizes to different needle types to how to choose the right needle for your project. Even if you're experienced, you'll probably learn something.
http://www.embroidery.com/media/flash/video.asp?sid={7F5D1010-7D94-4922-AFF0-31935DCB8BDA}&EFID=1051&DocID=1635&shopstop=1

Needle Know-How: Guidelines for type and size of needle for different weights and types of fabrics
http://www.myembroideries.com/MyEmbroideries/cms/Needles.aspx

Needle Selection Guide
http://www.discountembroiderysupply.com/en-us/dept_107.html

Needle Size Chart (European/US)
http://www.sundroptextiles.com/notions/pins.htm

Quilt Tips [about needles] from Quilters Around the World
http://www.blockcentral.com/tips-needles.shtml

Schmetz Sewing Machine Needle Guide - illustrated
http://www.schmetzneedles.com/Schmetz_Sales_Guide.pdf

Troubleshooting Sewing Problems
http://sewandserge.com/tshoot.asp

Twin Needle Reference Chart
http://www.taunton.com/threads/pdf/TwinNeedleChart.pdf

What Every Home Sewer Needs to Know
http://www.webofthread.com/Needles.pdf

Using the Right Needle
http://www.superiorthreads.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=30&Itemid=100

Marketing Crafts and Visual Arts: The Role of Intellectual Property – A Practical Guide

This 150 page free e-book is a practical and user-friendly guide that “…brings out the relationship between successful marketing of crafts and visual arts, and the use of intellectual property (IP) tools…This Guide assumes the reader has limited knowledge or expertise, if any, about principles of marketing or IP. An effort has been made to write in clear, and, to the extent possible, jargon-free language, and from a practical and common sense perspective…It is hoped that the Guide will be as relevant for a person belonging to an indigenous group or tribe as for a traditional artist or craftsperson, or for a modern, city-based enterprise in a fast-paced business environment. The Guide is essentially aimed at readers in developing countries and countries in transition, but will also be applicable for those in developed countries. [Emphasis added]”.

http://www.wipo.int/sme/en/documents/guides/marketing_crafts.html

Table of Contents http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/sme/en/documents/pdf/marketing_crafts_toc.pdf

One of the case studies cited is: “Mary Engelbreit: Artist and entrepreneur – A licensing story”

http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/sme/en/documents/pdf/marketing_crafts.pdf

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NOTE: If desired, a print version can be purchased:

http://www.wipo.int/ebookshop?lang=eng&cmd=display_pub&cat_id=1200&cart_id=789970-61746342

Project Facade - Paddy Hartley's Artistic Response to World War I Facial Injuries

The horrific facial injuries from high explosives and heavy artillery that occurred during World War I inspired surgeon Sir Harold Gillies to propel the fledgling field of plastic surgery to new heights for facial reconstruction. Since 2004, artist Paddy Hartley has sought to interpret through digital and hand embroidered sculptures of their uniforms, the stories of these valiant men who underwent many long and painful reconstructive surgeries in the attempt to regain some semblance of their former lives.

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Note: Some pages may take a while to load - be patient

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An Approach to Artistic Response

http://www.projectfacade.com/index.php?/about/

Case Studies - Selected Records of Treated Servicemen and Paddy Hartley's Artistic Response http://www.projectfacade.com/index.php?/about/

Gallery
http://www.projectfacade.com/index.php?/galleries/

Interview with Paddy Hartley - by Regine
http://www.we-make-money-not-art.com/archives/2007/07/interview-with-23.php

Please visit all of the pages of Project Facade - this project is remarkable. Home Page:

http://www.projectfacade.com/index.php

Textile Artist: Fiona Kirkwood

Fiona Kirkwood is a fibre/mixed media artist whose work is primarily sculptural and frequently targets sociopolitical issues of her native South Africa. "Survival", uses thousands of male and female condoms to address the HIV/AIDS pandemic (she notes that 'virus', 'save life' and 'viva' can be found within the word 'survival') . "Pachyderm Pelt" deals with man's threat to the elephant's existence. "The Struggle" reflects her response to the violence and turmoil of the struggle for freedom from apartheid.

A response to Virginia MacKenny's review of Fiona Kirkwood's 'Coats and Coverings' at the NSA - by Frances van Melsen, Curator: Technikon Natal Gallery - This is a fascinating look at art criticism. It begins...

"Art criticism has always been partial and personal,
yet despite the fact that we all know that a review
represents one person's viewpoint only, it does
affect one's own response to the artwork if it is written
by someone who has a sound reputation in both art
theory and practice. Virginia MacKenny is recognised
as an authoritative voice in the "art world".

For this reason I would like to respond to her recent
review of Fiona Kirkwood's exhibition at the NSA
Gallery titled 'Coats and Coverings'. MacKenny
is entitled to her point of view, but the general tone
of the review is dismissive and many statements are
superficial and erroneous. My concern is that it could
be damaging to the artist and that there are other
ways of "seeing" Kirkwood's work. "

Full Review: http://www.artthrob.co.za/01nov/reviews/reader_nsa.html

Fiona Kirkwood's website and access to her portfolio:
http://www.fionakirkwood.co.za/Index.html

All About: TYVEK

One of the fascinating "textiles" now available is Tyvek

Product Handbook for Dupont Tyvek - 28 pages that include information about printing and sewing with/on Tyvek
http://www.materialconcepts.com/pages/tyvek_handbook.pdf

Tyvek Material Safety Data Sheet
http://www.materialconcepts.com/pages/dupont-tyvek-msds.pdf

Tyvek Safety Information - Embroidery Adventures
http://www.emb-adv.com/safety/Tyvek_safety.htm

Working with Tyvek
http://www.joggles.com/tyvek.htm

Tyvek and Lumiere Paint Melted Altered Art Technique
http://www.sewfunpatterns.com/tyvek.html

Try Tyvek - Embroidery Adventures
http://www.emb-adv.com/news.htm

Playing with Tyvek - Linda Monk
http://purplemissus.blogspot.com/2008/01/playing-with-tyvek.html

More Tyvek - Linda Monk
http://purplemissus.blogspot.com/2008/01/more-tyvek.html

Tyvek Leaf Tutorial
http://web.mac.com/eiloren/iWeb/eiloren/Techniques%20&%20Materials/E67E05C4-6984-4357-A482-57AA4325C28C.html

Tyvek Beaded Necklace – Linda Edkins Wyatt
http://quiltingarts.com/qallc/newsletter-archive/cps44.html

Making Tyvek Beads Workshop - Jill Smith
http://fabricholic.blogspot.com/

Tyvek Beads - Carol Clasper
http://carolclasper.blogspot.com/2007/03/gaudi-windows-and-tyvek-beads.html

8 1/2" X 11" Tyvek Sheets in Red or Yellow
http://www.quiltersbiz.com/QBStore/Product.aspx?id=44

Tyvek Envelopes in colors ($1 each) 10"x13" - Hot Pink, Purple, Black, Lime, Gold, Yellow, Green, Silver, Red, & Ultra Blue
http://www.jampaper.com/Envelopes/TyvekEnvelopes

Tyvek Sheets for Desktop Printers
http://www.materialconcepts.com/pages/tyvek-sheets.asp

Tyvek Yardage - Fabric Type TVYEK - 60" wide for $3.50/yd
http://www.intothewind.com/shop/Repair_and_Kitemaking/Fabric/Tyvek

Just for Fun: Textile Oddities & Absurdities - Part 3

And the beat goes on...and on...and on...

Woven Scaffold Mimics Cartilage - Weaving enters the medical world: "Researchers at Duke University and MIT have developed a three-dimensional weaving technique for making biodegradable scaffolds that mimic the properties of natural cartilage."
http://pubs.acs.org/cen/news/85/i05/8505scaffold.html

Walking Around Embroidered Animation – Andrea Dezso – NOTE: be patient, the blank page will load, then click the start icon
http://a.parsons.edu/~andi/walkingferns.mov

Knitted Faberge Egg – Gayle Roehm – like the original, it opens to reveal a small basket of flowers - Also, Audrey II from the Little Shop of Horrors
http://eleveneleven.50webs.com/roehm.html

Knit Guitar
http://www.microrevolt.org/KNAS/stollak.htm

Someone for Everyone – Benji Whalen
http://www.benjiwhalen.com/SomeoneforEveryonepage.htm

Short-Arm Quilting Machine
http://www.quilterswarehouse.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=AFE2008

Subversive Cross Stitch - WARNING - Very Strong Language Content - may be considered to be offensive
http://www.subversivecrossstitch.com/index.html

Embroidered Tattos on Stuffed Fabric Arms - Benji Whalen
http://www.clementine-gallery.com/bw/01.html

CLOTHING:

Farty Pants – yep, pants that have a visual fart attached
http://www.neatorama.com/2007/08/20/farty-pants/

Brain Bag – that’s right, a purse knitted to look like a brain
http://boliyou.blogspot.com/2007/11/brain-bag.html

Princess Leia Hat (with instructions)
http://boliyou.blogspot.com/2006/09/absurdity-princess-leia-hat.html

What the…??? – A John Galliano design for men (2007 Fall Collection)http://men.style.com/fashion/collections/F2007MEN/complete/slideshow/JGMEN?loop=0&event=show1544&designer=JGMEN&trend=&slideshowId=slideshow38268&iphoto=46&play=false&cnt=39
Tiny URL: http://tinyurl.com/59xh8y

AROUND THE HOUSE:

Felt Typewriter – so real looking, you’d think you can type on it
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=187574.msg1966645#msg1966645

Fire Extinguisher
http://www.patriciawaller.com/images/feuerloescher1.jpg

Knitted Electrical Cord
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=69369

Tool Box and Tools
http://joykampia.com/fiber/fybertools.html

Crocheted Computer Tower
http://joykampia.com/fiber/computertower.html


MEDICAL:

A is for… [Ambulance?] - Benji Whalen
http://www.benjiwhalen.com/Aisforpage.htm

C is for… - Benji Whalen
http://www.benjiwhalen.com/Cisforpage.htm

Heart – Andrea Dezso
http://a.parsons.edu/~andi/DRAWING_illustration.html

Dentures
http://www.patriciawaller.com/images/gebiss1.jpg

Arm Prosthesis
http://www.patriciawaller.com/images/armprot1.jpg

Leg Prosthesis
http://www.patriciawaller.com/images/beinprot1.jpg

Walking Aid
http://www.patriciawaller.com/images/gehhilfe2.jpg

Invalid Toilet
http://www.patriciawaller.com/images/toilettensitz1.jpg

Prozac, Thorazine & Zoloft – Laura Splan – latch hooked
http://www.laurasplan.com/files/images/pills/prozac_thora_zoloft.jpg

Female Anatomy Cross Stitch
http://www.boingboing.net/2008/04/18/female-anatomy-cross.html


GROTESQUE:

Felted Impaled Heads – Adam Parker Smith
http://www.priskajuschkafineart.com/image_viewer.php?image_id=1801&return_page=L2V4aGliaXRpb25zLnBocD9leGhpYml0aW9uX2lkPTgy


SEXUALLY THEMED – WARNING -VERY EXPLICIT:

Sado/Masochistic Salon
http://www.patriciawaller.com/images/sadomaso.jpg

Knitted Nudes – Wall hangings knitted from photographic patterns
http://themightysven.carbonmade.com/projects/38015

Knitted Nude Body Suits – these are anatomically correct
http://themightysven.carbonmade.com/projects/37941

Anatomically Correct Crocheted Aliens
http://www.patriciawaller.com/images/aliens1.jpg

TALKING KNOTS - Incan Khipu [Quipu]

Khipu [or Quipu] are intricate knotted textile objects used by the Incas for record keeping. Massive amounts of information were recorded on these deceptively simple looking strings of knots. Every detail has meaning: the colors of the cords; their spacing; the ways in which they are connected; the types of knots used. These are just a few of the attributes that are used in this unique form of written language that dates back 5,000 years. Their vast storehouse of information has only recently begun to be decoded.

Code of the Quipu: Databooks - Marcia & Robert Ascher - look at the Photo Archive
http://instruct1.cit.cornell.edu/research/quipu-ascher/

Khipu Database Project - This site is dedicated to the decoding of these artifacts.
http://khipukamayuq.fas.harvard.edu/

A Collaborative Project to Rehouse and Conserve Peruvian Khipu - "Many of the cords have dangles, attachments and extensions like bits of wool, leather, pompons and textiles."
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/archaeology/project/other-staff-projects/peters-khipus/index.htm

String, and Knot, Theory of Inca Writing - John Noble Wilford
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9800E4DA1031F931A2575BC0A9659C8B63

Geometry from the Land of the Incas
http://agutie.homestead.com/files/Quipu_B.htm

An online jigsaw puzzle of the oldest known Quipu can be played on the following site:

http://www.jigzone.com/puzzles/0912B3E480C