even feed* …a sustained visual art and craft project in four stages.
In the autumn of 2011 it will be 200 years since Isaac Singer was born. Singer is notable for his engineering developments which enabled sewing machines to be used in people’s homes. He made his home in Torbay at Oldway Mansion. The even feed project marks the occasion of Singer’s birthday and also investigates the practise of making homemade clothes and in particular the use of the domestic sewing machine across different generational and social groups.
This website will act as information point and archive for the project.
Gareth Ballyn
Curator
April 2011
The Evenfeed film!
Copy and past this link into your address bar to visit the evenfeed page on my website to see a short film.
http://www.garethballyn.co.uk/2012/01/even-feed/
http://www.garethballyn.co.uk/2012/01/even-feed/
Get the evenfeed book!
If you would like a copy of the evenfeed book then please do get in touch! I have now started another brilliant project in Paignton. Visit:
www.highstreetneighbourhood.blogspot.co.uk
hopefully see you there
Ending or beginning?
The even feed exhibition at Oldway Mansion has finished. I am now in the process of making a book of documentation for all the participants. I will post some more pictures on the blog but not the full set until I the participants have get their own copies. They deserve a treat after all their work!
The exhibition was a great success and drew some interesting comments and interactions from visitors to Oldway. More on that soon...
Thank you!
Recieved a lovely mail from Debs at ROC today
'I'd really really like to thank all of the other sewers so much for sewing all the rest of the flowers on the dress...it's just how we wanted it. Deb'
'I'd really really like to thank all of the other sewers so much for sewing all the rest of the flowers on the dress...it's just how we wanted it. Deb'
People sewing in a ballroom...
Some more photos from the brilliant get together last week. The wedding dress that features in two of the pictures was made by ROC Creative (in group picture) We all eventually got involved by helping to sew on flowers.
Very nice indeed!
Below is a slide show of some images from our get together at Oldway mansion on 27th October. It really was a lovely event, with great people attending and some beautiful clothes made and stories shared. This set of photos are really a 'sneak peek' as I wanted to wait a little while to reveal the installation in the foyer of the Mansion. More to come soon...
A really big thanks you for those who came along including Mark, Jonathan, Alice and family, Ali, Debs and Lorraine and the ROC group.
Happy Birthday Mr Singer!!
A really big thanks you for those who came along including Mark, Jonathan, Alice and family, Ali, Debs and Lorraine and the ROC group.
Happy Birthday Mr Singer!!
Wedding dress
Had a brilliant vist to ROC (http://creativetorbay.com/roccreative/) in Paignton. They are working collaboratively to make a wedding dress. The wedding dress features collaged images, a range of textures and beautiful embroidery. It is beautiful and its not even stitched together yet!
I will update the blog daily as we head up to the main event on 27th.
I will update the blog daily as we head up to the main event on 27th.
Dungarees
Alice Crawford has just sent me these great images. Heres what she said in her email
'I am trying to remake and rediscover a pair of dungarees i had as a child which my mum made. I lost them in the toilets at exeter train station when changing in to some new trousers. I remembered the material the most. at my dads i managed to find the pieces left over from making the dungarees.....no pattern but the negative space of where the pieces were cut away to make the garment.This is what i am working with.....i dont know what i am going to be able to make from this yet!....'
'I am trying to remake and rediscover a pair of dungarees i had as a child which my mum made. I lost them in the toilets at exeter train station when changing in to some new trousers. I remembered the material the most. at my dads i managed to find the pieces left over from making the dungarees.....no pattern but the negative space of where the pieces were cut away to make the garment.This is what i am working with.....i dont know what i am going to be able to make from this yet!....'
A pattern
A couple of days ago I asked everyone taking part to let me know how their sewing was going. They could do this by sending an image or some words which would then go up on the blog. I was delighted to get some responses straight away. Will post them up every day or so.
Mark Leahy sent in an image of the pattern he will be using and also some background information...'it is the pattern my mother used to make a jacket (style number 1) for my father in about 1958. She made it in a red / brown plaid wool fabric and he had it up until his death in 2004'
many thanks Mark.
Mark Leahy sent in an image of the pattern he will be using and also some background information...'it is the pattern my mother used to make a jacket (style number 1) for my father in about 1958. She made it in a red / brown plaid wool fabric and he had it up until his death in 2004'
many thanks Mark.
Issac Singer
Here he is!
Below is a link to a short history of the sewing machine and also Mr Singer himself!
http://uffnervintage.blogspot.com/2009/08/hes-sew-fine-story-of-notorious-isaac.html
Will hopefully be updating the blog soon with contributions from every one taking part.
Below is a link to a short history of the sewing machine and also Mr Singer himself!
http://uffnervintage.blogspot.com/2009/08/hes-sew-fine-story-of-notorious-isaac.html
Will hopefully be updating the blog soon with contributions from every one taking part.
Birthday tea and sewing place
Heres a picture of Oldway Mansion where we will be meeting to finish our sewing and celebrate Singers birthday. Nice eh?
I am away for a week and will update blog when I get back. Best wishes
Gareth
I am away for a week and will update blog when I get back. Best wishes
Gareth
7 packages
7 packages
3 people working solo
10 people collaborating
1 family of 4
and (hopefully!)
1 local shopkeeper
4 teenage students working in a group
and
50 metres of white cotton fabric
3 people working solo
10 people collaborating
1 family of 4
and (hopefully!)
1 local shopkeeper
4 teenage students working in a group
and
50 metres of white cotton fabric
First look at even feed parcels - ready for posting
First batch ready to go - am off posting over the next few days!
FAQS
Here are some questions and answers that could be useful as you begin to make your item.
Will I get my item of clothing back?
You will get your item back but it will be on display to the public so it will be handled.
Does the item of clothing have to be able to be worn?
No, but if you want to make something you can wear then please do!
Can I add any colour to my item of clothing?
It would be great if the items of clothing could be kept white. However, if you want to add some different textures or pale cream etc that would be fine.
Can I add any other material or bits from other clothes onto mine?
Yes, as long as they are white.
Can I adapt an existing piece of clothing?
You can adapt or include items of clothing that already exist.
Can I make two items?
Yes – of course and please contact me if you would like to do so and I will get you some more fabric.
Can I work with someone else?
Yes
Can it have lots of decoration on it?
Yes - as long as it is white!
Do I have to use a singer sewing machine?
No – any sewing machine is fine. Singers engineering developments had an influence on all makes of home sewing machines.
What if I need more fabric?
Each participant has been given approx 3 metres. If you do need more and are not able to provide your own please get in touch.
Here are some questions and answers that could be useful as you begin to make your item.
Will I get my item of clothing back?
You will get your item back but it will be on display to the public so it will be handled.
Does the item of clothing have to be able to be worn?
No, but if you want to make something you can wear then please do!
Can I add any colour to my item of clothing?
It would be great if the items of clothing could be kept white. However, if you want to add some different textures or pale cream etc that would be fine.
Can I add any other material or bits from other clothes onto mine?
Yes, as long as they are white.
Can I adapt an existing piece of clothing?
You can adapt or include items of clothing that already exist.
Can I make two items?
Yes – of course and please contact me if you would like to do so and I will get you some more fabric.
Can I work with someone else?
Yes
Can it have lots of decoration on it?
Yes - as long as it is white!
Do I have to use a singer sewing machine?
No – any sewing machine is fine. Singers engineering developments had an influence on all makes of home sewing machines.
What if I need more fabric?
Each participant has been given approx 3 metres. If you do need more and are not able to provide your own please get in touch.
Visting the WI at Galmpton and Churston
Had a great visit to the Galmpton and Churston WI. A chance to talk to the members of the WI about the evenfeed project. One member of the group talked about how she used to teach sewing at Oldway Mansion and had lots of stories to tell about what Oldway was like many years ago.
Many thanks to the WI for their support, questions and interest in the project.
More pics of the beautiful Galmpton Village Institute below.
Many thanks to the WI for their support, questions and interest in the project.
More pics of the beautiful Galmpton Village Institute below.