In The Woods
Design: Lucia Kinghorn
Client: Bespoke Textile Design
Date: 2010
Add comment July 3rd, 2011
Textiles
Chain-link Quilt
Design: Carey Ann Schaefer
Client: Cumulus Project
Date: 2010
Like a chain-link fence providing security for property owners, this quilt with a hand-stitched repeating chain-link pattern provides symbolic security for the sleeper. “While vaguely reminiscent of the traditional wedding-ring quilt pattern, this contemporary motif conjures a new heritage–one perhaps that weighs warmth and security against utility and protection”.
Visit the Cumulus Project for more information.
Add comment April 22nd, 2011
Thing to Thing Project
Design: Natalie Purschwitz
Client: Vancouver Art Gallery
Date: 2011
The Thing to Thing project was a weekend long performance at the VAG where people where invited to bring any object to the gallery and Purshwitz would transform them into a bag. The project was a refreshing commentary on the life of objects, and how human invention can keep them revolving through our lives, discovering new uses and creating less waste.
1 comment April 15th, 2011
Knit Bombs
Design: Shannon Williamson
Client:
Date: 2011
Calgary artist Shannon Wiliamson has been dropping a series of calculated “Knit Bombs” around the city of Calgary. The “branch sock” and “Don’t smoke” have a soft and humorous message for us all.
-Greg Ball
1 comment April 7th, 2011
Moitieikealight Embroidery
Design: Takashi Iwasaki
Client:
Date: 2009
Lovely contemporary embroidery (I did not think that I would ever say that, thanks CDR) that reminds me of Wassily Kandinsky. This is my favourite, but check out his whole series.
1 comment April 7th, 2011
AUM_Recycled Canvas Pillow
Design: Stuart Sproule and Barnaby Killam
Client: Red Flag Design
Date: 2010
The pillow’s design details mask the utilitarian background of their material, a tough upcycled surplus military canvas.
1 comment March 28th, 2011
KNIT CamBRIDGE project
Design: Sue Sturdy
Client: Cambridge
Date: 2010
Conceived by Cambridge’s artist in residence Sue Sturdy, the project covered the heritage bridge with colourful stiches. The concept was to remind the residents of the local connection to the textile industry. When the work is dismantled the knitted pieces will be tweaked into scarves and blankets and auctioned off for the Cambridge Center for the Arts, and others donated to charity.
1 comment March 24th, 2011
“Gaynor” Textile
Design:
Manufacturer: Geo Hees Ltd.
Date: 1950s
Photo: Allan Collier Collection
From the Homemakers Series.
Add comment March 17th, 2011
Repurposed Pillows
Design: Susan Schroeder
Client: Wanted
Date: 2007
Susan Schroeder of Wanted creates beautiful hand quilted, hand sewn pillows from re-purposed wool blankets and sweaters that have reached the end of their originally intended life cycles. The off cuts and trimmings from making the pillows are re-used to make stuffed animals and other products reducing waste to a minimum.
Wanted’s pillows are stuffed with recycled cotton fibre. The 100% natural fibre stuffing contains 85% post-industrial recycled content . The stuffing contains no harmful chemicals or irritants, emits no VOC’s and is recognized by the LEED organization.
Add comment March 15th, 2011
Maple Leaf Tartan
Design: David Weiser
Client:
Date: 1964
Well folks, we’ve got another national symbol in the roster. As of today, Maple Leaf Tartan joins the National Flag, the Coat of Arms and the Wordmark as an official symbol of Canada. According to our sources, the designer captured the colours the Maple Leaf turns throughout the seasons: green in the summer to yellow to red at the first frost, with the intersections blending into two tones of brown at the end of its life come winter. Lovely symbolism (no pun intended).
A statement made on March 3, 2011 by Senator Elizabeth Hubley, to move second reading of Maple Leaf Tartan Bill S-226 goes into more depth into the significance of tartans in general and the history of David Weiser and the Maple Leaf tartan.
It’s humble, yes, but it’s very Canadian, and history has just been made.
- Hannah Wise
5 comments March 9th, 2011
Meadow Life
Design: John and Joanne Brook
Client: J & J Brook
Date: 1955
Photo: The Design Exchange
Add comment March 6th, 2011
Meadow
Design: John Gallop
Client: J & J Brook
Date: 1960
Photo: The Design Exchange
1 comment February 27th, 2011
Tobacco Leaf
Design: John and Joanne Brook
Client: J & J Brook, Contemporary Distribution, Toronto
Date: 1952
Photo: The Design Exchange
Add comment February 14th, 2011
