Soft shells: Tote

Learning Objectives:

• Developing basic patternmaking skills
• Exploring materials
• Developing machine and hand sewing
• Translating conceptual designs to 2-D and 3-D forms
• Exploring utilitarian nature of forms for function

Step one:

8-10 sketches of different styles of totes.

Pick your top 3 styles and explore with in depth drawings.

Pick your top design to create. Think about what how you’ll attach straps.

Step two: Make two patterns for your design, one will be used for your final design and one will be used with tape to create a paper mock up of your tote.

Step three: Pin pattern to your preferred fabric and cut out the pieces necessary.

IN DEPTH PROCESS

TOTE BASICS

1. Cut all pieces.
2. Iron all pieces.
3. Draw on all seam allowance with chalk.
4. Iron down the seam allowance and pin down.

STRAPS

1. Cut out straps.
2. Iron down.
3. Mark the middle of the strap and fold each edge to the middle.
4. Iron down.
5. Fold in half again and carefully iron down.
6. Sew 1/4 inch from each side (only one side is necessary, however I liked the look of having two stitches on either side of my strap.)
7. Iron down
8. Repeat 2-7 for all other straps.

POCKET

1. Cut piece for pocket
2. Iron down
3. Draw on seam allowance
4. Fold and pin seam allowance
5. Iron down
6. Sew each side individually
7. Cut corners to prevent bulking up
8. Iron down after each side sewn.
9. Iron when all sewn.
10. Determine where you want to put the pocket on the inside of your tote.
11. Measure everything to make sure the pocket is places correctly.
12. Pin down pocket.
13. Sew three sides into bag.

TOTE CONSTRUCTION IN ORDER

1. Straps (3 total)
2. Inside pocket construction and sewn in.
3. Sew the left and right sides of the tote with the long strap attached
4. Top, including two short straps, and closure aspect.

STRUGGLES: The muslin that was originally designed with was a different width than the fabric I ended up choosing. This made it difficult for me because I hadn’t realized this mistake had been made until I had my final fabric cut to the pieces I needed.

If this wasn’t a zero waste dress I would have cut the excess fabric that was on the back of the shirt. I would have kept it a two – piece dress but the top would have fitted more like a shirt than a high low contraption.

This dress was very challenging for me and it allowed me to think critically about how I would going to make it work without cutting a single piece. After a lot of frustration I finally finished the two piece dress. After submitting this assignment I plan on working on the dress more in order for it to reach my level of satisfaction, which may include some cutting.

Overall, I enjoyed this assignment and it pushed me to my creative limits especially because I am not a fashion major and am unfamiliar with how some style dresses are made.