Here are some images of my first large soil map drawing onto A1 graph paper.
I've drawn the continent Australia, displaying a soil map design. Using pastel coloured pencils I defined the different soil areas and then drew patterns found from keys in diffferent types of maps in each individual square on the graph paper.
After I had finished the drawing I experimented with some clear cubes on top of it to magnify some of the patterns I drew. This gave me the idea to possibly use these cubes within my embroidered map pieces too, but when it came to stitching them onto fabric it looked very messy...maybe I'll come back to this idea in the future when I've found cubes with a needle hole through them.

...a bit of blog love

Thought I'd share a bit of blog love today and show you Peter James Carrington's blog and flickr....He's got some amazing drawings and paintings which I think more people should know about.

http://peterjamescarrington.blogspot.com/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/petercarrington/

Net graph stitching...

Using tapestry threads I have stitched onto netting fabric to create a soil map design by stitching a range of patterns and using different coloured threads.

More map illustrations...

Soil map inspired illustrations...

Here are some initial drawings I have done onto graph paper that are inspired by soil maps.
All readable information has been removed in the form of keys or labels as I want to concentrate on the beauty of the map. Combining a soft muted pallette and grids I have tried to soften the hard utilitarian design found in modern maps.
The patterns I have filled areas in with are key symbols found in different maps which I have then repeated over and over again.

Soil maps...

I decided I shouldn't carry on with illustrations of road maps as I had already done that last year. So I researched more into different types of maps.
I was spoilt for choice in which type to concentrate on though.
In the end I found I was mostly drawn to soil, resource and topographical maps due to the wealth of pattern and repitition found in them.

Here are a couple of close-up shots of soil maps; just to give you an idea of what I am interested in.

Paris routes..

After taking a trip to Paris where I continued my research with maps, I began some drawings that showed the routes I took around Paris. I started drawing onto graph paper as I like an ordered quality to my work, also keeping in mind that a lot of maps are drawn onto a grid to help people find areas on a map.

Bike seat cover project!

At the beginning of 3rd year we started off with a fun, quick project. This was to create your own bike seat cover that either portrayed information useful for a cyclist or could just be a design of your own choice.
I decided to stitch my route in Manchester from home to uni, highlighting main attractions/buildings that were on the way.
I managed to win a little prize for best cyclist knowledge...(geek)!

Flickr!

Since I don't have a lot on my blog so far I thought I'd post a link to my flickr which I update more regularly...and in the mean time I will try and upload more posts to my blog!
Click --> My Flickr

Initial map drawings...

After the 'Hulme, sweet Hulme' project I found I had so many ideas that I could do with having maps as a theme. With the ideas buzzing around in my head I got straight into drawing over the summer holidays before starting my final year at university.
I started to look at maps in a new way. Mainly focusing on information seen on different types of maps, and looking at pattern and colour depicted in them.
Above are some intial drawings I had done over the holidays.

Lets start with the beginning...

For the last year of university my final major project is based on the theme of maps. This idea came from a project I had completed at the end of 2nd year.
The project was called 'Hulme, sweet Hulme' which was based on community groups from across Hulme that have been working with Manchester Metropolitan university to create a new textile exhibition that celebrates the unique spirit of local people.
I took part in this project by creating textile maps based on routes of my home town from chilhood memories.
From the images above you can see how simplified they are, but this is how I remembered my journeys to school, the supermarket, my best friends house etc.