A Very Fabric Portfolio... and Hello There!

[Anika]

Let me introduce myself. My name is Anika, a tatting, crocheting, knitting, sewing musician. I am 17 years old and make a point of defeating stereotypes. This is probably the wrong category, but I have a very interesting question and situation that I need a little help with.

 

For college, I wish to major in Fiber, Textile, and Weaving Arts, but the thing is, I need a portfolio. In all that I do, I like to put in %100, so this is something I will dedicate myself to and work especially hard on. My question is: what kind of things would you expect in there? What would impress you? And ideas would be wonderful and Oh So helpful!

 

As I go about creating this portfolio, I will be blogging every step of the way and updating here.

 

My blog is TattingitUp.Blogspot.com

 

Thank you so much!

 

And if you blog, do post the link. ^_^

 

Anika

[Liz in Kansas]

Welcome, Anika.  A portfolio is basically examples of what you have done.  I would start by gathering photos of pieces you have created so far and see if there is a good selection.  Do you have an area that you want to specialize in?  Do you have a wide range of examples or are there any "holes" where you need to add more work.  For hand work and weaving, you can include swatches, but I would be interested in actual finished projects, in which case you would include (good) photos with a notation saying the piece would be available for inspection.  Or something like that.

 

Looking at your blog, I see you do beautiful tatting.  Some of that will definitely go into your portfolio, along with samples of your dyed yarns.

 

Hopefully you will get some other responses here.  I do not have "credentials" as I was never in the right time or place to finish a degree in textiles.  Oh to be seventeen again!  LOL!  Good luck!

 

 

[Annette Garcia]

good luck Anika

For some of the original finished pieces in your portfolio you should have samples of your design process. ie some inspiration sources, some initial sketches, some samples of trying out different techniques/colours/fibres etc along with a bit of narrative as to why you chose what you used for the final piece.

For items you have made following a pattern then add some narrative as to what you learnt from doing the piece and what you changed from the original design, if you have made changes.

You might also include some pages from your visual diary about ideas you have recorded but have not yet worked up to a finished piece. This is where you can put in sample swatches.

Also you should have lots of references to your blog for more images, videos etc 

Hope this helps, Annette