P A R T 1
Concept + Target Audience:
The piece I would like to create is a stool cover. Specifically, I would like the stool cover to fit the standard stool used at The New School. However, I plan on having the cover be somewhat stretchable so that it can accommodate different size stools as well. It will be circular in shape and made out of recycled materials, most likely recycled jean material as that is what I have on hand. In terms of the color of the piece, it will be primarily soft colors in order to emulate that idea of “comfiness.” This means that colors such as pink, lavender, beige, etc. will be used as they best convey that message. Furthermore, the piece will contain padding. The padding will act as a cushion to make the hard surfaces of the stools more comfortable to the user.
The audience I plan on targeting are students. More specifically, art students who spend a lot of their time on such stools. I heard many complaints from a lot of my peers about the seats and I too have a hard time using them. After a few hours of sitting, it not only doesn’t support your back but it also causes pain in your gluteus maximus. Furthermore, sitting for too long can also flatten the glutes, albeit this is over many years. Therefore, I saw the need to find a solution to this issue and help my community. Regardless, of this specific community, there are many who use such stools. Actors, Architects, etc. use them as well. Therefore, not only will this serve my community but it can be extrapolated to others as well.
Idea Sketches:
Moodboard:
P A R T 2
3D Mockup:
Bottom View of 3D Mockup
Dye Process Part 1:
In this portion, we will see the development of the dye to be chosen for the final product. The materials for the base of the dye have to be natural. Therefore, I have chosen a few biological materials that I already owned.
The first material I will be using for the dye process is toast. This end piece was left over from a loaf I had and left in the fridge. Subsequently, it dried up and it is stale making it perfect for the experiment.
In terms of the final dye’s color, I expect it to be beige or medium brown due to the color of the material and the fact that it was more of the crust than a middle piece would have.
The second biological material to be chosen were these two old bananas. Similar to the first material, these bananas were left over from earlier grocery visits. Due to decomposition, they have become dark, which could yield interesting results for the dye.
I believe that these bananas could result in either a grey dye or a brown dye.
Turmeric (or kurkum in Arabic) is the next material chosen for this experiment as it is very well known that turmeric can be a hassle to remove from surfaces. Its powerful yellow color locks into most porous surfaces, therefore, I believe that it could produce a lovely color.
Depending on how much of the spice I put it, I believe the resulting dye would either be a faint yellow or an intense one.
The next and last material I have chosen so far is red chili powder. This spice gives heat to whatever you are cooking, however, I am unsure of how it will function as a dye. I know that it can stain a little with its red-orange color but it is not comparable to the likes of turmeric.
I am not convinced that the color of the substance will carry through as it does not seem to be a substance that stains well, therefore, I believe that the red chili powder dye will yield an orange or beige tone.
In all, I would like to get some more biological materials such as canned beets and avocados because of the hues they will produce (beets a heavily saturated purple-red and avocados a delicate pink).
P A R T 3
Dye Process Part 2:
To update my progress on the project, below you will be able to find a photo of the dye exploration table I created. I ended up using turmeric, avocados, bananas, and beets. The toast and red chili powder did not impact the fabric at all and I decided not to pursue them as they just did not provide what I needed for this project. Instead, I added the avocado and beets as they both would produce a pinkish hue – I color I find to be very comforting.
Table of Dye Exploration
Lab Report:
Sustainable Systems – Natural Dye Challenge – Lab Report-1vbrbfn
P A R T 4
Construction Process:
Taking all the pieces of fabric I dyed I began assembling the piece together. Using an ordinary sewing needle and embroidery thread, I began using sewing together the cushion with the blanket stitch. The reason for this was because I wanted to make sure that the edges would not fray. If this piece were to be used multiple times it would face a lot of wear and tear, therefore, it is important for me as the designer to make sure that the design could hold up.
After sewing approximately 1/4 of the piece, my needle broke and then shortly afterward my only other needle broke as well. I had to think quickly and realized that I could try and use a thin darning needle. By doing so I actually simulated the use of an upholstery needle, creating a more secure and strong overall product.
Final Piece:
Product Shot #1
Product Shot #2
Cushion in Use #1
Cushion in Use #2
Reflection:
In all, I am proud of the end result, never having sewed something like this before, I challenged myself to try another medium. I do have some experience in sewing, which aided me, but creating a 3D piece was definitely a large step and I am grateful for the experience.
Furthermore, I found it somewhat fulfilling to create something that I could actually use rather than just look at. This was also out of my wheelhouse as I primarily create as a form of expression but this was obviously very different as I was trying to solve a problem that existed in our Parsons community.
The natural dye process was also very informative as I had always enjoyed this aspect of art. Using teas and coffees to dye projects as a child, the idea that I could do even more for a school project was exciting. Luckily, I found an end result that I was happy about.
