1) What did you think of your visit to the UN? Which speaker did you find the most inspiring and why?
I think it’s inspiring and gave me more information about how the entire country is focus on climate problems. I really like the video “Our Changing Climate” by Finnegan Harries. It’s very brave to do such a thing in his age. To see the fact and what is happening on our Earth by himself, instead of hearing from others, is helpful and respectable.
2) Read the following three articles. What do you think of these approaches to repair?
1. I think it’s good to repair things because many waste can be reduced in this way. People will have more memories after repairing an object than buying it. When something comes to have memories in one’s mind, it will be treated more carefully. When people want to repair something, but they are not able to do, this kind of coffee helps a lot. Instead of sending things to factories, this place allows more communication which attract people nowadays. Personally I will try my best to fix things by myself. However, if I can’t repair an object and I really want to keep it, I may go there and try.
2. Yes. Money is a very important thing for most people. If repairing becomes cheaper, there will be more people chose to repair instead of buying new ones. I’m not sure will it be possible in my country because in China, we don’t see taxes (all included in the price and not noted). I think it can be used in United State simply because it’s sustainable and environment friendly. But I’m not familiar with laws and taxed thing in the US, so it’s just a possibility.
3.I always know the truth that when you buy something more expensive, it’s actually saving money. However, it’s hard to decide when it really comes to the point of buying. The author is right. For example, the shoes I have from Dr.Matins is good until now. It has been three years since I bought it. The shoes I bought for 30 dollars were broken a year before, but this pair is still good even after snowy and rainy days. I think object has to be practical for using in daily life instead of simply expensive. If one thing is frequently used and has important memory to people, they will still be treated carefully.
3)
Step 4: Test with Experiment
Attempt repair.
Step 5: Does it work?
Was the repair successful? Yes. I think so.
Are you happy with the results? Yes. The effect is good and it solved my problem.
Is the repair more beautiful/interesting in some way than the original? Yes. I think patching is a way of art. It records my experience of getting different kinds of fabric in different period. The clothing also seems more interesting now.
Step 6: Analyze and Draw Conclusions
What did you learn? I think to change clothing by oneself is meaningful. The clothing itself can be seen everywhere in normal clothing stores, but it will become unique when I redesign it.
How long do you expect this repair to actually last? I think it can be ten to fifty years depends how my hand sewing technique is and the frequency I wear it.
What surprises did you encounter? To select which swatch to use is also a process of training aesthetic feeling and sense of colors.
What would you do differently next time? Nothing differently but I can add more and more and keep doing it.
Are other ways that you could have repaired this item that you realize now? Similar things such as embroidery and beading as decoration.
After completing this project, do you consider repair a more valuable skill? I thing the same thing can be done on anything without considering about value.
Step 7: Communicate Results
Create an illustrated LP post showing your process and results.
Be mindful of lighting, focus, background and final results.
Reflection:
- What is the most important aspect of making a design easily repairable? Be able to do it by myself. Don’t require a lot of tools and environment I can seldom go to.
- After completing this project, what’s one object that you wish you could repair but don’t feel as though you currently have the skills to do so? I’m good at fabric and decorations but poor at fixing electronics.
10: Did your repair require fewer materials and involve fewer systems than buying a new replacement? Which systems? Although it’s not the issue of buying a replacement, I do think it helps me to buy fewer and wear old clothing more, because now it has more meaning to me and seems more interesting.
