After visiting the FIT exhibition, I have learned that fashion and body are tightly linked together due to the changing and complex history. Everything can be redesigned, remodeled, and reconstructed from its original form to a completely new object with a variety of functions. In this case, I realize that I can redesign my piece into a handbag without changing the material.
The Original Shirt
As for the deconstructing, I used the seam ripper to separate the shirt into different parts and then create patterns for each of the part. This process provides me with an understanding of the basic formation of a cloth and I get to know how to make a pattern and sew the fabric together. Also, I find out that materials can be connected with each other in multiple ways. They can be sewed with each other, glued with each other, folded with each other, or even separated with each other, but they all have something connected with each other.
Font
Sleeves
Small parts from the shirt
The garment was originally a shirt with short sleeves for menswear and I changed it into a everyday handbag, which could help people feel convenient when they carry something or go out for a grocery shopping. After I deconstructed it, I put the font part and the back part together to create a form of handbag. I made the one handle be longer than the other so that it could be carried by one hand if the shorter one was over the longer one. Then I added the collar, which was from the original shirt, at the bottom of the shirt, and a pocket on the side of the bag. On the top of the pocket, I sewed a cloth tag that was come from the original shirt and had brand name on it. During this redesign process, I utilized the original materials that come from the shirt to remake the handbag. This did not cost me any money, but I had worked on it for almost three hours since there were some issues with sewing and sewing machine.
Through this project, I think the most enjoyable part for me was the learning process on how to sew by a sewing machine and make patterns for cloth. Although some sewing techniques are quite challenging for me, I was satisfied with what I had done for this project. I like the process of deconstructing, redesigning, making, and sewing, because it is one of the most interesting experience I have ever had in my life.
