I focused on two parts of my extensive research I originally did for recreating a new garment; the meaning of black and the evolution of covered to exposed clothing
Category Archives: Year One
Reconstruction Process
This is my process overall for creating a new garment out of the old one I bought at Goodwill:
Up close Images:
Pinnings/Ideas for Reconstruction
I created many different looks out of the fabric from my sourced garment. I decided that my final look would encompass parts of each design.
Fabric Manipulations/Tests
I deconstructed my garment and started taking swatches of fabric from it and testing out different ways of manipulating the fabric. 
My favorite and most successful manipulation was using gel medium and wire mesh to create a synthetic snake skin.
Process:
Finished look:
I used the gel medium/wire mesh technique on the collar and hood of my garment.
Questions to Guide Reconstruction
After researching the garment, I created two questions that would guide me in how I would reconstruct the garment.
I laser cut a hanger and engraved the questions onto it. I hung my research off of it to symbolize that the questions have come directly from my research.
Garment Research
After sourcing a garment, I researched everything I could about the garment. This included research about the materials, how it was made, the color, dying processes, history of fashion…
PDF of Research Information:Â Garment Research
Initial Garment
Sourced from Goodwill
Price: $10
100 Questions About Fashion
I used magazines as my inspiration to generate 100 questions about fashion. I compiled these pages, attached the questions that were sparked from each page, and created a magazine out of the pages:
Ear Sandbox
Tessellated Head Piece
PATTERNS:
Pattern 1 fabric swatch:
Pattern 1 using blend tool:
Pattern 2 fabric swatch:
Pattern 2 using blend tool:
Pattern 3 fabric swatch:
Pattern 3 using blend tool:
–> I chose pattern 3 to use for my headpiece. I liked the tortoise shell look of it. Once seeing it, I was instantly inspired to make a headpiece.
Here is the sketch–
SKETCH:
TESTING/LASER CUTTING:
Initially, I laser cut all three of my patterns on bristol paper. This is pattern 3 on bristol:
I played around with all patterns I cut but decided on this one. I started to put the pieces together:
I loved the look of the pieces together. I felt like the pieces were a bit plain with no etching on it, so I added the inner hexagons on each piece for the final laser cutting. Also, I did not like how flimsy it is though. I wanted a sturdier piece.
A week before, I laser cut a 1/4th inch piece of plywood for a different project. I loved the look of the wood and etching:
I decided to use 1/8th inch basswood for my headpiece:
ASSEMBLY/PROCESS:
Step 1: Finding pieces that match up
Step 2: Sanding down sides so pieces can be connected by a mitre joint
Step 3: Attaching pieces together using wood glue/gorilla glue
I made many pieces of tessellations like these:
I then attached them together to create the headpiece, using tape to initially plan it out and then wood glue it together:
I wanted to make a moving component of the head piece so i decided to make a piece that is an eye covering, that flips to a visor, and can then flip again to become an abstract/architectural part of the head piece. I used hinges and small screws to create this:
FINAL PIECE:
