Artist:
Dianne Totten
Bio:
I have always enjoyed working with fiber. I started sewing when I was 12. It was my hobby until weaving took over my life 40+ years ago. I enjoyed learning every weave structure/technique that came along during my workshop “junkie” days. Thanks to a comment made by Catherine Ellis in her Handwoven Shibori workshop many years ago, I started experimenting with thermoplastic yarns and pull threads in the warp. Eventually, Crimp Cloth was born and I soon realized the possibilities were endless! I see each garment as a new adventure challenging my thoughts, as well as my students’ thoughts, to creatively transform a traditional threading into something magic.
Artist Statement:
Crimping a piece of handwoven cloth transforms the texture and the final look of the flat cloth. My inspiration for “Cloak of Invisibility” was to use the transformation of a balanced 2/2 twill from flat cloth to crimped as a design feature. There is no seam between the body of the cloak and the flat cloth covering the arms. The design change is caused solely by the crimping of the balanced 2/2 twill structure. This transformation continues to fascinate me and inspire an abundance of new ideas that introduce my creative thinking to new challenges.
Techniques Used: "Crimp cloth - weft crimp. Warp - 2/18 white Merino wool with a band of black 2/18 Merino, sett - 24epi; Weft - 8/2 black polyester. 8S straight twill threading. Ground cloth: 2/2 twill; Crimp pattern treadled in point twill order. Collar: warp crimp. Warp - 8/2 black polyester, sett at 20epi: Weft - 2/18 black Merino Wool. 8S straight twill threading. Ground cloth: 1/3,3/1 broken twill; Crimp pattern treadled to form pleats."
Materials: 2/18 Merino Wool, 82/ polyester
Measurements: 36" x 25" x 10"
