The Panty Patch

Writing a design philosophy is not an easy thing to do. I have realised, through the self reflective nature of this project, that I am most definately still a student of design. I am experimental and not terribly confident, but I will try things anyway. There is always room for improvement and nothing is every truly finished (more in terms of research than production). I suppose my values are in quality,  aesthetic, fit and detail. I would not call myself minimalist, nor would I claim to be extravagant. I enjoy beautiful feminine design, good silhouette and feel good fabrics. Although I am not doing the best job of it, I would love to make things that I want to wear. Dresses are my favourite. Menswear scares me. I like simplicity as much as I like intricate detail. At this point in time I feel like there is a great deal of decisions to make, research to do and garments to sew before I can define myself as a designer and be honest and satisfied.

With regard to sustainability. WASTE NOT WANT NOT sums up my approach. If we dont waste what we have, and isntead use it, we will want (and need) less in the future. I have a heart for people and knowing that young lives are being exploited is shocking and not something I want to support. As for mother earth, I find inspiration in her natural beauty. It is terrible what we have done to harm our planet, but I believe looking to the future sustainably is the solution. Everyone should do what they can, which will never be enough on an individual level, but as corny as it sounds, together we can make a big difference. My attitude as a consumer has been impacted from learning what I have, and I have developed an interest in consumerism and the way in which societies function.

I appologise, that my design philosophy isnt clear cut, but I believe I am making progress. I have always been one to question things, and now I am turning the questions onto myself and actively seeking the answers. A new level of thinking is welcome, and I am enjoying the lessons and discoveries about myself and my practise. I think i will continue blogging, and see what else I can dig up.

So I have finished the garment! As predicted, I made a fool of myself when bagging out the garment. Sometimes the most simple, logical things are the most difficult to me.

DISCOVERY..

The garment is reversible! (How suistainable of me.. right?)

The elastic legs and waist give the piece versatility in size (good for sleepovers!)

And lastly, the lack of topstitch on the elastic was not due to laziness, but rather a feature to allow the wearer to distribute the volume as they please.

I have a bow tattoed on my ankle. It was a spontaneous mood driven activity (no regrets!) much like the addition of floral patchwork bows to my toile. They do look terribly cute! I love love loved the sample of patchwork I did in florals and found a way to use them, not a scrap of waste! Yay! I think I might have to make some more for my hair..

The pattern was perhaps the only part of this project that has been subject to limitations. The pattern was restricted by the size of the patchwork slab. The design in my mind was quite high waisted, however the fabric was not wide enough to allow for this. But that’s ok!

The only change to the pattern from toiling stage to final garment was to widen the width of the crutch for comfort and modesty’s sake.

This is the pattern…

And here is the piece cut and sewn, pre-elastication. (Hahaha!)

Dean and I adapted the swimwear block to the width of the patchwork slabs of fabric I had constructed, moving the seams to the centre front and centre back. One pattern piece only! WOW! I didnt line the toile, which could prove problematic when I bag out the final garment. I am not very logical when it comes to linings and whatnot.

So the pattern piece looks like this..

Blocks used to adapt pattern..

And the sample once cut and sewn, before elasticised looks like this..

Complete Toile..

When I realised that the lady from RG was coming to speak to the class thursday, I was intitally (adn selfishly) annoyed as I had so much to do! But it turned out to be great and I learned alot. Here are the main points that stuck with me:

1. Domestic waste only counts for 2% of landfill while 98% is commercial
2. Shapes and cuts of clothing changes with the economic environment Eg. Hems, Volume
3. RG diverts 3 tonnes per week of waste
4. Society DOES NOT require us to be mass consumers in order to function
5. Re-educating consumers is important so that they know the impact of their purchase decisions. Where is your money going? What do your purchase decisions support?
6. What happens to left over materials? What do I do with mine?
7. Friends Of The Earth set up RG to fund their projects
8. RG does not receive any ongoing assistance from the Government, financially self sustained
9. Localizing product, reduces carbon emissions
10. Use social and environmental practices as sales pitch/point

Monday – soft fabric, feel good

Tuesday – serious, sheer

Wednesday – Frenchy, nautical

Thursday - Embellished

Friday – Tailored, sexy, sharp

Saturday – Fun, flirty

Sunday – Playful, Relaxed

I was inspired by the Uniform Project and the minimizing of ‘stuff’ by having one thing to wear for each day of the week (very appropriate to knickers). I thought about the advantages of having a 7 Day Panty Patch Collection and discovered:

• Quality garments over quantity garments is sustainable in that it reduces demand for production
• There is an anti-consumerist shift happening, minimal ‘stuff’ is not a disadvantage
• Handwashing underwear in the shower saves on water and chemical waste
• And it also will ensure the garment lasts longer because it isn’t being thrown around in washers and dryers

Strengths:

• I can make decisions about the aesthetic quickly because I have a strong sense of style
• I understand women’s bodies
• Silhouette is important  to me
• I don’t hate sewing!
• I find great satisfaction in pattern making
• I am not afraid to try new things or do things differently
• Technical Production Flats are my friend
• I am open to change and development throughout the process

Weaknesses:

• I do not enjoy documenting my thought process, I feel as though I am repeating myself and stopping myself from moving on and moving foward
• I am a horrid drawer
• I am SO easily distracted
• When the garment is complete I feel as though the project is complete
• I have an all or nothing attitude
• I am driven by moods and feelings
• I think, think, think, re-think, talk, re-think, think think, talk, re-think, talk, think, think before I start making something
• I underestimate the amount of time things will take me

I started with an assortment of rectangular shapes which I then cut into small esque squares. And then into quaters to even smaller squares.

First I sampled the patchworking with a series of floral fabrics I had found left over from first year mood and design boards. I LOVED PATCHWORK once I saw how pretty and Springtime all the paisleys and florals looked together!

There was no calculating or counting, Iwanted the entire patchworking process to be quite organic in its development, ‘I just want to feel it’. Perhaps because the lovely Paula had enlightened me to the idea of lottery style pattern making. As I appreciate the calculation of pattern making, I decided to apply the lottery method to my patchworking, which is not as wild but it helped me loosen up and evolve with the garment in a love/hate way.

I just made rows and then joined the rows, pressing each as I went. It was long and tedious but theraputic at the same time.

And this was what I ended up with, 2 slabs of patchwork fabric! Relief!

• Beautiful things, people and moments
• The hopes and dreams of what is to come
• My family’s support and encouragement
• Black Tea; weak, no sugar
• Cooking
• Fabrics, colour and texture
• Project Runway
• The Glossies
• Faraway Places
• Lifestyle
• Occasions
• Love and Lover
• Style.com
• Strong Soy Latte
• Sleep
• Hoarding and Collecting
• 1920’s 30’s 40’s 50’s 60’s 70’s and 80’s
• Creative People
• Interior Design
• Americas Next Top Model
• Stylish strangers
• Acquiring new skills and techniques
• QUT, my degree
• Picnics
• My Nan and her amazing talents
• Markets
• Charity Stores
• My Peers
• Social theories and interaction
• Romeo and Juliet
• Women
• Film
• Music
• Creation
• Faith
• Shapes
• Feelings
• Challenges
• Finances
• Teachers
• Boy meets girl, Girl meets boy
• Fairytales
• Red Red Wine
• Conversation
• Words