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.

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.

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!)

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..

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

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

• 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

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!