Chapter 10. Design an accessory

In this chapter I have to design an accessory based on the spiralling design ideas I have already worked on or yet to invent.

I have decided to post my proposal for an accessory on my blog for Sian to review before actually progressing to making it up.

To begin with I collected images of accessories based on concept of the spiral:

More beads from same source as above:

I now need to consider the size  and shape of my accessory and whether I will make one or a series of items and whether it would be a 2D or 3D piece.

I’m inspired by the idea of making a hat or headpiece - something elegant and stylish and decorative.

The next step is to select an idea from my research images and designs in earlier chapters which I find inspiring and which spark an idea.

I really love the wrapped cords and their dramatic effects and decided to take this forward:

I looked into turban shapes:

And a few background historical facts regarding the development of the turban:

I experimented with shapes and how to put it together:

Front view:

Back view:

Think again:

Further experiments:

Idea for spiral pattern which could be used for circular earrings to compliment turban [yet to be developed further]:

Having decided to make a knotted turban-style headpiece I need to consider how I would weave my wrapped cords and made  samples using the Peg Weaving Loom produced by the Hand Weaving Company:

 

I need to reconsider how I weave the fabric in order to achieve a longitudinal sweep of cords which will enhance the spiral effect of the knot.

I realise that instead of making a long woven strip at a width of 10cms that it I will need to produce a strip which is very wide  and only 10cm in length. The width will depend on the finished length - which will be determined by the way the ends are finished /fashioned] 

The page below shows how the knotted turban may look:

The next stage will be actually involve making the wrapped cords and weaving them to produce the fabric required to make up the turban. Exciting!