Upcycling Challenge

I started this upcycling challenge by creating a Pinterest board to gather some upcycling inspiration.

Previously I created a research post all about upcycling called Upcycling Research .

I am going to be upcycling a long sleeve, crew neck Hollister t-shirt. I did not really have much choice of what to use for this upcycling challenge as we donate all our unwanted older garments or those, that don’t fit to charity shops.

This is the front and back of the garment labelled with all the original components on the garment.

My plan for this upcycling challenge is to give this 21 years old, well – loved t-shirt a new lease of life. So, I plan to keep it as a long sleeve jumper instead of repurposing it into a completely different garment to keep the authenticity of the original garment.

I have to make some adjustments to the length of the bodice and sleeves as the jumper is XL and is too big on me.

I am going to crop the t-shirt to the waist and add half an inch elastic into the waist band so it is fitted, I will then also add the same elastic into the sleeves, which I will shorten to fit me as well. I am finally going to add some colour and detail to my garment by embroidering around the logo on the front of the t-shirt and also down the sleeve. This will then finally become a cropped jumper.

I started by using my dressmaking scissors to remove both the cuffs and some of the excess fabric on the bodice.

I then put my jumper on and created a line of pins where I want the garment to go to on my waist, I then took the jumper off and I got a ruler and drew a line in permanent marker 1 inch down from the line of pins.

Next I cut along the black line using my dressmaking scissors.

So it looks like this.

I then turned the bottom of the jumper over and pinned a line one inch up to match the front. Next l turned the jumper inside out, and folded the edge of the jumper 1 inch up and then moved all the pins.

I then chose a bobbin and thread that matches the colour of the jumper.

I then set my machine up ready with the blue bobbin and thread.

I then sewed all along the 1 inch turned up fabric leaving a small gap for the elastic to be threaded through.

I then got my half and inch wide elastic and put it around my waist and marked with a pencil were I am going to sew the two ends together and also where I want to cut it.

I then added two large safety pins to each end of the elastic to help me feed it through.

After I had done that, I pinned one end of the elastic to the fabric and then I started feeding the other end of the elastic with the safety pin on it through the tunnel of fabric I created and as I fed the elastic through the fabric it immediately began to gather.

This is what the jumper looked like once I had threaded the elastic all the way around.

After I threaded it through, I safety pinned the two ends of the elastic together.

I then hand sewed the two ends of the elastic together and sewed up the gap I left for the elastic using my sewing machine.

Next I put the jumper on and pinned where I want the sleeves to end and then drew a line in permanent marker one inch down from the pins on both sleeves.

I then cut along the black line on both sleeves.

Next I turned my jumper inside out and turned up the end of the sleeve one inch and pinned it in place. I then also cut and marked two pieces of elastic to go around my wrists.

I then sewed both of my sleeves leaving a gap for the elastic. I then thread the elastic through on both sleeves so they became gathered, I then sewed the two ends of elastic together and hand sewed the gap I left.

Now the garment is fitting to my body, I added my embellishments using 3 different embroidery threads that compliment the colours of the jumper. I embroidered around the logo on the front of the jumper and down the sleeve on the jumper.

This is my finished upcycled garment.

One particular stage of the upcycling process that I found difficult was sewing the cuff part of the sleeve. As once I had fed the elastic through the end of the sleeves and then sewed the elastic together all the fabric was tightly gathered and the piece of elastic was not that stretchy. This meant that the hole was too small that I could not sew the small gap I left for the elastic with my sewing machine. So I had to hand sew it and the line of hand stitches are not that straight due to all the gathers.

I am very happy with how my upcycled garment turned out, it is not a extremely dramatic transformation but I still think it is effective and it is an improvement on the previous garment. This garment is still fully functional and is definitely something that I will wear.

Sewing my pattern pieces together that are inspired by the Pattern Magic designs

I started by gathering everything I needed to construct my pattern magic designs.

I created all of my pattern magic designs using the fabric calico. However, you could create theses designs in any fabric of your choice.

I started by drawing round all my patterns and then adding one and a half centimetres of seam allowance to the sections on the patterns that needed it. After I used my dressmaking scissors to cut all the patterns out.

This is my first one cube pattern magic design cut out of fabric.

This is my second one cube pattern magic design cut out of fabric.

This is my two cube pattern magic design cut out of fabric.

This is my three triangles pattern magic design cut out of fabric.

This is my two layers cubes pattern magic design cut out of fabric.

This is my two layered triangles pattern magic design cut out of fabric.

I found that cutting these pattern pieces out of fabric, it created a lot of fabric waste due to the unusual shaped pattern pieces. However, I keep all scrap pieces of fabric to use later on, I mainly use scraps like these as sewing machine testers to help choose a type of stitch or to check the tension on the bobbin is correct.

I decided to iron crease in the fabric where all the edges and folds were, to try and achieve clear defined 3-D shapes.

For my first three designs which are the more simple designs I was easily able to tell were the folds and creases were meant to be. However, for the 3 last more complex designs I had to draw a light pencil line to know where to iron the crease into the fabric. Before, I did this I trialed ironing creases with no line for these designs and it did not work as the creases were not in the right places.

These are the lines I drew on my fabric pattern pieces for my last three designs before I ironed them.

After I had finished sewing my all my pattern magic designs I cut the seam allowance on each design using pinking shears.

This is my first constructed pattern magic design with one cube.

This is my second constructed pattern magic design with one cube.

For my next pattern magic design with two cubes, on one of the cubes I accidentally cut two far into the seam allowance, causing a hole in the corner of the cube. I amended this by hand sewing the corner up.

I have now learnt from this, to only slightly cut into the seam allowance to begin with as I can cut further in later on if I needed to relive more of the tension in the fabric.

I found that my forth design, which as 3 triangles and 4 pattern pieces the most difficult and complicated pattern to sew and construct.

My first attempt did not turn out very well and I could not figure out for a little while what had gone wrong.

I realised I had to sew a side (shown by the red line) on all three triangles before sewing the separate pattern pieces together, as this seam and side was missing on my first attempt.

This is how my second attempt turned out and I am very happy with the outcome and that I had managed to identify and resolve the previous issue.

This is my fifth constructed pattern magic design with two layered cubes. I then pushed the small cube inside of the larger cube once I had finished sewing.

This is my last constructed pattern magic design with two layered triangles. I then pushed the small triangle inside of the larger triangle once I had finished sewing.

One thought I had whist creating all of these pattern pieces was whether you could use fabric interfacing to strengthen the fabric and give you more of a defined 3-D shape. As the creases I ironed in the fabric before sewing the designs, completely disappeared not long after, leaving more of a curved edge cube shape.

I found sewing all the designs with only one pattern piece, so much easier and straight forward to do, than those with multiple pattern pieces. I think I found this because for the singular cube in the middle and the layers cube and the triangle as almost all of the sides and seams to be sewn were very similar and I did not have to cut not the seam allowance and reposition the fabric as much.

I am pleased with my first attempt at pattern magic designs. In the future, I would love to explore this type of design further with incorporating it with in the design of a garment, maybe trailing using interfacing and also using different coloured and patterned fabrics.

I decided to pin my samples onto my mannequin to try and help me envision where they could go on a garment and be most effective.

Creating my own patterns inspired by the Pattern Magic designs

I previously created a research post called Pattern Magic Research, where I analysed the key features of the pattern magic designs.

In this post, I will be showing how I created my own designs and pattern pieces, so I can create my own samples, which are in a similar style to the pattern magic cover pictured below.

SOURCE : https://www.waterstones.com/book/pattern-magic/tomoko-nakamichi/9781856697057

I started by gathering all my materials I needed to create 6 different patterns, with all different designs.

I used scissors, a pencil, a multi- coloured pen, a rubber, masking tape and sketchbook paper.

I also used a patternmaster.

Three of the patterns and designs I created by following my fashion lecturers tutorial on how to make them, I made them almost exactly the same.

For my next 3 I created them all by myself, so they are my own designs, I found making these patterns slightly harder and they took me a little longer as I had to figure how to cut my design to create a 2–D pattern/net.

All of these patterns, I made did not include seam allowance, this needed to be added to the appropriate sections, when cutting the pattern out of fabric.

For my first pattern, which is using only one cube, which measures 6cm by 6cm, I created a short time-lapse video showing how I made it.

I had to cut my first pattern, as when the pattern laid flat and was 2-D, two sections of the pattern overlapped, therefore it would not work as you could not cut your pattern out of fabric. In order to overcome this issue I chose a point on the pattern to cut to create two separate pattern pieces, which can be joined together in the sewing process and to create effective cube.

Creating a One Cube Pattern Magic Template – VideoDownload

These are my first finished pattern pieces for one cube.

I decided as my first one cube design had two separate pattern pieces, instead of just one. I wanted to try and create one with only one pattern piece. So I placed my one 6cm by 6cm cube into the centre of my piece of paper and I then drew lines on the cube and piece of paper in red pen. This time to create my flat pattern, I drew the red lines from each of the four bottom corners to the four corners of the A4 piece of paper.

My next designs has developed on the previous one and has two cubes, measuring 6cm by 6cm. This design has 3 separate pattern pieces.

This design has 3 triangles 6 cm by 6cm on it and it is slightly more complicated with 4 separate pieces.

The next design has two layered cubes with the second smaller cube, which is 3cm by 3cm, on top being pushed in so there is the larger cube, which measures 6cm by 6cm, with the smaller cube sunken inside.

The final design has two layered triangles with the second smaller triangle, which measures 3cm by 3cm, on top being pushed in so there is the larger triangle, which is 6cm by 6cm, with the smaller triangle sunken inside.

I am very happy with how all 6 of my patterns turned out. I think that actually making the pattern piece, it gave me a clear idea of how it would be constructed and sewn together using fabric.

My layered fashion illustrations inspired by the work of Edgar Artis

I created all my designs below by placing items onto my drawing of a model to create garments.

I started by drawing two templates to add my designs on top of.

These pieces below I created using jelly babies.

These pieces below I created using pistachio shells.

This piece below I created using a banana skin.

This piece below I created using long grain rice.

This piece below I created using cotton wool balls.

This piece below I created using a variety of different size and shade of pink buttons.

This piece below I created using my pencil sharpenings.

I found all of the pieces I created in a similar style to the work of Edgar artis, quite easy to create, although for some of the designs it took a little while to get the items positioned in the right place. I found this, particularly with the pistachio shells as they kept slipping and moving and then I needed to start again.

If I was to create this again I would plan or sketch out my designs first and decide what materials I am going to use, instead of making it up as I go along and using what I can find. This would allow me to create a much more thought out and detailed design, which would be so much more effective.

I think that I would like to explore this particular style of layered illustration further in the future.

I am very happy with how my layered illustrations turned out, I thought they were all quite effective and met the key features of Edgar Artis’s work.

My layered items onto magazine cut-outs inspired by the work of Small Ditch (Martha Haversham)

Martha Haversham uses a variety of different pieces of rubbish, she finds out and about to create her art pieces. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, I personally did not want to pick up and handle other people’s rubbish to create my pieces inspired by her work. So I decided to find as many random items as possible around my house to create them instead.

I started by cutting 2 pairs of legs out of a magazine and an arm. I also gathered a piece of plain paper to use as a background, to try and get some clear photos. Also to lay my random items on and the pieces cut out of the magazine on.

This was made using legs cut out from a magazine and a scrunchie.

This was made using legs cut out from a magazine and a New York snow globe.

This was made using legs cut out from a magazine and a plug.

This was made using legs cut out from a magazine and a plug reversed.

This was made using legs cut out from a magazine and a cotton pad.

This was made using legs cut out from a magazine and an a green artificial leaf.

This was made using legs cut out from a magazine and an a yellow artificial leaf.

This was made using legs cut out from a magazine and a face mask.

This was made using legs cut out from a magazine and a face mask.

This was made using legs cut out from a magazine and the piece of cardboard that is wrapped around a rubber.

This was made using legs cut out from a magazine and the piece of cardboard that is wrapped around a rubber.

This was made using legs cut out from a magazine and hot glue gun sticks.

This was made using legs cut out from a magazine and a black thread cotton spool.

This was made using legs cut out from a magazine and button head pins.

This was made using legs cut out from a magazine and a large bulldog clip.

This was made using legs cut out from a magazine and a random instruction leaflet.

This was made using legs cut out from a magazine and fairy lights.

This was made using legs cut out from a magazine and a travel size toothpaste.

This was made using an arm cut out from a magazine and a mask.

This was made using an arm cut out from a magazine and a mask.

This was made using an arm cut out from a magazine and pen pot holder wellie boots.

This was made using an arm cut out from a magazine and embroidery scissors.

This was made using an arm cut out from a magazine and a large bulldog clip.

This was made using an arm cut out from a magazine and a plug.

This was made using an arm cut out from a magazine and a travel size toothpaste.

This was made using an arm cut out from a magazine and unusual plastic paper clip.

This was made using an arm cut out from a magazine and unusual plastic paper clip.

This was made using an arm cut out from a magazine and a cotton pad.

This was made using an arm cut out from a magazine and a pritt stick.

This was made using an arm cut out from a magazine and two full bobbins.

This was made using an arm cut out from a magazine and a black thread cotton spool.

This was made using an arm cut out from a magazine and some tiny pegs.

I found all the pieces I created in the style of Small Ditch (Martha Haversham) very quick and easy to create. Maybe in the future, when we are not in a pandemic I will trail with using rubbish that I find out and about to create similar pieces to Martha’s work. I really enjoyed creating pieces in the style of her work, as I have never created anything like this before. I would love to explore this style more in the future with projects that it suits.

I believe that the pieces I created were effective and met the key features of Martha’s work other than using random pieces of rubbish.

I think that the favourite piece I created was the second one down on the blog with the snow globe and legs with heels, I like this particular as it is so unusual and random.

Draw Everything

Below is a photo of quick starter task I did were you draw random items, without really thinking about it, under a 10 minute timer.

My fashion illustrations inspired by the work of David Downtown

Below are the images, which I used to base all my illustrations on.

I am creating these illustrations in a similar style to the work of David Downtown. I explored the key features and style of his work in a previous blog called David Downtown Research.

For all three of my illustrations below I started by lightly drawing the outline of the model and garment in pencil on 3 separate pieces of paper.

For my first illustration, I took inspiration from a particular piece of David Downtowns work, where he used a block of yellow to create the background and for the colour of the dress. He also used a black outline to create the drawing, with some variation of thickness of line.

I used felt tip pens to create my illustration below.

For my next illustration, I used a Black watercolour pencil and I particularly focused on the lines within the drawing, similarly to David Downton who in some drawings uses a combination of different lines to create the illustrations.

For my last illustration I focused on the trousers being the bold bit of colour within the illustration and then using a thin line to create the shoes and the shirt. In some of David Downton’s work, he uses a bold and bright colour for both the bodice and trousers or skirt.

I am pleased with these three illustrations, the only issue I faced was smudging, which is a particular issue as I am left-handed.

Bibliography

The Vouge Cover

Link : https://www.streeters.com/news/british-vogue-november-2018-cover-story?epik=dj0yJnU9UEYzUGN0NWNveU9zS09TYkJfM3BiWHdScHotSEFQRW4mcD0wJm49SV9BZVlJVXBXWU5ibXIxMmJyNXRodyZ0PUFBQUFBR0FOV2ZV

My fashion illustrations inspired by the work of Kareem Iliya

For my next 6 illustrations in the style of both Kareem Iliya and David Downtown. I have chosen 3 images, shown below to base all of my illustrations on. I thought it would be really interesting to see what different outcomes you can get by using different styles of illustrations.

This is a Vogue cover.

SOURCE : https://www.streeters.com/news/british-vogue-november-2018-cover-story?epik=dj0yJnU9UEYzUGN0NWNveU9zS09TYkJfM3BiWHdScHotSEFQRW4mcD0wJm49SV9BZVlJVXBXWU5ibXIxMmJyNXRodyZ0PUFBQUFBR0FOV2ZV

This is an image of Dua Lipa in the February issue of the British Vogue Magazine.

This is an image of a Giorgio Armani model in the December issue of the British Vogue Magazine.

Prior to creating my fashion illustration, I decided to look at the key features of Kareem Iliya work to help me with my piece created in a similar style to Kareem. I created a post about this called Kareem Iliya Research.

I started by creating a outline of the three different garments and models onto three separate pieces of Plain A4 paper.

For my first illustration inspired by the work of Kareem Iliya, I decided to create a black silhouette using a black watercolour pencil. Once I had created my pencil silhouette, I then got a paint brush and a bit of water to activate the watercolour pencil, this is then very similar to watercolour paint.

Once my silhouette had dried, I then got a purple watercolour pencil to create a purple background around my silhouette.

For my next illustration I took inspiration from a particular piece of Kareem’s work, which is a silhouette filled with different coloured inks, that have all dispersed and mixed. As I don’t have any inks, I have used watercolour pencils to create something that is sort of similar, However if I created it using ink, I believe that it would have been more a effective illustration.

To create my illustration in a sort of similar style to Kareem’s piece, I chose 5 different watercolour pencils, which I then used to fill in the silhouette.

I then used the paint brush and water to try and blend the colours together.

For my last illustration, I created a blue silhouette using a blue watercolour pencil. Once I had finished creating my pencil silhouette, I then left it to dry before adding my background.

I created my background using a black watercolour pencil, I wanted the background to really highlight the silhouette of the garment and model.

I really like this style of illustration, which highlights the silhouette of the garment rather that all the detail on the garment.

I am happy with the illustrations I have created. In the future if I get the opportunity to explore creating illustrations using inks, I think that it would create really effective and nice illustrations.

My fashion illustrations inspired by the work of Silja Goetz

The image I am going to use to base my illustration of off is the image below of a Vouge cover. I will create this illustration in the style of Silja Goetz, who’s work I explored in my research blog post called Silja Goetz research.

SOURCE : https://www.streeters.com/news/british-vogue-november-2018-cover-story?epik=dj0yJnU9UEYzUGN0NWNveU9zS09TYkJfM3BiWHdScHotSEFQRW4mcD0wJm49SV9BZVlJVXBXWU5ibXIxMmJyNXRodyZ0PUFBQUFBR0FOV2ZV

To create this fashion illustration, I first decided to draw an outline of the model and garment as a guide onto a plain piece of A4 paper.

I then gathered a variety of different light pink magazine papers with different textures to create a collaged dress from. I then got a pencil and divided my address outline into a variety of different sized triangles, I then cut triangles the same size out of my collage papers. Once I had cut the triangles out I laid them on the outline to ensure they were all the right size before sticking them down with a glue stick.

Here is my finished illustration inspired by the work of Silja Goetz.

I am happy with my finished illustration, it was really quick and easy to create. If I was to explore this type of illustration further in the future, I would experiment with using different shapes.

My embroidery into a Fashion illustration inspired by the work of Maurizio Anzeri

I started by finding an old fashion illustration, which I can print off to then embroider into.

This is the vogue cover from the 1909, December 11th issue, which I decided to use for my second embroidered illustration.

SOURCE : https://archive.vogue.com/issue/19091211

Prior to creating my embroidery into an old illustration, I decided to look at the key features of Maurizio Anzeri’s work to help me with my piece created in a similar style to Maurizio. Here’s a link to my research blog Maurizio Anzeri Research.

I was planning to embroider into several old photos in the style of Maurizio Anzeri, however the one I did below took a little while to complete so I decided to stick with just the one embroidery into imagery.

Below is a few step by step images of how I created my piece.

Here is my final embroidery into imagrey inspired by the work of Marizio Anzeri.

To create it in a similar style I decided to focus on the key features of Marizio Anzeri work. So I used an old illustration and 5 green embroidery threads all with slightly different tones. I also focused on a key feature of the illustration, which I decided to be the ballerinas tutu skirt and embroidery into that.

I am very pleased with the final outcome of my embroidery into an illustration, the only downside to this particular type of illustration is that hand embroidery is very time consuming.

Bibliography

Vogue Archive

Link : https://archive.vogue.com