More lantern decisions...

The lantern dimensions have been decided and I'm currently waiting to find out if I can build the frame at uni with the help of the metalworks department. As it stands its over workshop capacity but I have been given a project planning proposal form to complete before I get a definitive answer.

The dimensions have been considered around how much space a person would need to duck inside the lantern and be able to stand inside comfortably, with enough distance to appreciate the graphic jacquards and have space to move around.

Each knitted piece will be knitted 60cm square on the power knit machine - 36 pieces. During sampling the size and tension of the individual pieces I found it was going to be almost impossible to have each piece knitted the same size. Each piece uses a multiple of yarns and lurex yarns so the tension is unique to each one, 3 samples came out different sizes. Testing each tension would use a lot of yarn and take up a lot of time, to avoid that I am going to give each piece extra seam allowance and shape, cut and over lock them instead of shaping on the machine.

The sample in the middle is the design I have continued to develop and after experimenting with different colour-ways this was the one to take forward. Having this monster alternating in a checkerboard pattern around the lantern will make it predominately red, the colour of extremes. Extreme of fear and danger of the ghosts arrival, to love and desire as the people appease them. The other two samples are for the inside of the lantern, the graphic, photo converted jacquard designs.

I have decided on the final colour-ways for the pieces inside the lantern and organised them in order: I have considered the even distribution of colour, text and image.

The colours represent feelings of: excitement, extremes, festivity, happiness, peace, discouraging any feelings of aggression.

This will be surrounding someone inside the lantern, a taster of S.E Asian street culture, a celebration of life, culture, religion, food and nature, everything that S.E Asia embodies.