The fabric printing course that I have been going to over the last 8 weeks has ended. The first half of the course was spent learning techniques, and for the second half we each made a banner, themed around a local park in Okehampton, Simmons Park. These will be hung in a local primary school, along side the banners that the children made under the guidance of a few of us.
I went through a phase where I really was not pleased with my banner. I felt I was being a bit too literal, with features that actually are in Simmons Park. It really is a lovely and interesting park, with the East Okement River running through it, and a lot of interesting features. Apart from the old bandstand and a lovely willow tree that I included, there is a Swiss-style chalet house, waterfalls and ponds. There is a lot of nature and gardening close together, and I think if we had been doing this project in summer there would have been more flowers and shrubs included.
But by the end I was happy with it. The batik tree at the back was done on the last day, and once again I was not steady with the hot wax, but enjoyed the ink painting. It is made up of a combination of printing with stencils, blockprinting and some of the fine details were embroidered. Some worked straight onto their banner, but I made mine in sections which have been sewn together. The park gate is meant to show me and my son (who is now grown up) wandering into the park.
The teacher took a picture of the banners and makers together, so there may be another post on this, and I think possibly a trip to the school to present the banners.
This is such a lovely post, I would have liked being in your class (just another grey haired golden girl). What do the men do? LOL The children are going to love these and love having time with so many wonderful grandmas when you go for your visit . . . being with children is such a joy :)
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