Conclusions
This study presented a novel approach in creation of new patterns for
woven textiles, based on musical pieces and their notation. The four
patterns as developed and presented in different color designs could
be considered as successful first attempts that open up additional
opportunities for design and production of original, unique fabrics.
Having in mind the presented summary of the methods, used
up to now for creation of new weave patterns, it can be concluded
that the novel method broadens the existing possibilities and may
open a new field: creation of patterns based on similarity with art.
The similarity between a musical piece notation and a weaving
pattern encoding was presented in details together with the rules
for transformation from a staff to a weave diagram.
The limitations of the developed method are related mainly
with the requirements for expertise in both fields of human activity:
textile engineering (though the pattern development seems
to be closely connected with art, it requires special technical
knowledge) and music (with particular emphasis on notation
readings and solfeggio). Another limitation is related with the
fact that the complexity of the musical notation cannot be ‘translated’
fully into the woven textiles’ language. The transformation
to a weave pattern requires simplifications that could lead to
creation of not very attractive patterns from musical pieces with
a complex notation. The last, but not least is that the final check
for the appearance of the pattern and the presence of unwanted
yarns floating may require more additional work than the transformation
from a notation to a pattern itself.
However, the possibility to make significant design changes in
the ‘derived’ weave pattern, inspired by a musical peace, leads to
the final aim of the method: the creation of a new, unique pattern.
In this sense, the method can be also used for initial inspiration
only. The weave pattern, based on a musical piece, can be further
‘worked’, using other methods (for example mathematical
methods of transformation) to create visually interesting, new
patterns and textiles.
Out of the technical advantages, the method possesses marketing
potential for the producers of woven textiles and designers.
As a work in progress, the method will evolve from both theoretical
point of view and practical application. The main direction
of research will include further attempts for more adequate use
of the complex musical notation in the weave pattern, finding
a potential in the transformation of the duration of the notes.Another direction in the development of the method will be
based on further ‘processing’ of the ‘musical patterns’ to obtain
new shapes and textures.