Student 23

Object One: Sewing Machine

This Singer Tradition sewing machine is one of the first sewing machines people would typically recommend to beginners, it has simple instructions and settings making it easy for anyone to use with just a bit of practice. Sewing in itself is typically a process that many disregard as simple as one becomes well versed in stitching together pieces of cloth.

This sentiment couldn’t be farther from the truth, even a rather simple sewing machine can become a rather complex tool when imagination becomes a factor in creating new works of clothing or plush. When sewing many people are often allowed to start on basic sewing skills with templates or tutorials but as people begin to grow in the hobby it's much easier to experiment with the fundamentals of sewing. For instance, after making my first few plushies and pillows on my sewing machine I could start to experiment with the stitching of the seams I would use on each of them. I found that some pillows would squish or stretch depending on where I would place the seams of what sort of stitching I used. I then can apply my knowledge to different pieces of clothing, such as my jackets or patchwork clothing.

A sewing machine can be adherently simple on its first usage but after more time experimenting and finding out what the settings have to offer many more opportunities to experiment with my clothing open up. Through experimentation with my sewing machine, I learned many different techniques that I could apply to my clothing not only to improve its quality but also its functionality.

Object Two: Plastic model kit

Plastic model kits are extremely challenging in nature, not only to the person who takes up the task of assembling the model runner by runner but to the designers who take the time to model the intricacies and mechanical details of the illustration on the kit based on. The instruction manual of this kit goes into great detail about the improvements done to this model so it can remain mechanically superior to its predecessors. But the final product given by the instruction manual is not where the improvements end, the builder is most often encouraged to take steps and improve on the model on their own.

The community of modelers is extremely capable when it comes to the modification and improvement of model kits. Sometimes defects or oversights on the designer of the kit can be found in the final product, and many times models seek their mission to find new ways to improve on these issues. For example on this specific model kit, the back wing parts are meant to extend outward, revealing an interior section of the wings; the model has issues opening this section up and does not closely resemble the artwork when doing so. Modelers have found a solution to this by using modeling putty, toothpicks, and dish soap; the modeling putty aids in covering seams that show from the plastic being sandwiched together, a toothpick to help mold the putty, and dish soap to lubricate the joint being stuck by the tight plastic.

The solutions that are often proposed are refurbished from older kits that presented similar issues, with their application being reworked to suffice in a newly released model. Modeling is all about the imaginative process of creating new information for others to further improve the hobby, and the artwork that surrounds it, evidenced by a community that appreciates communication and collaboration in finding ways to improve their models.

Object Three: Patchwork Hoodie

This hoodie was first composed out of leftover purple fleece, scraps of orange and green fabric, and an old discarded women's t-shirt. Most of these objects are considered trash, recyclables, or possible keepsakes for some. One thing I hold dear to myself is upcycling the process of taking “discardable” or “useless” material and giving it a purpose once more. This hoodie is a testament to that concept, taking these extra, useless, and discarded materials and shaping them into the form of a themed patchwork hoodie.

Many people participate in the action of upcycling, while it requires people to find a new purpose for material that is largely scrapped or devoid of use, it requires them to engage in their imagination. People can take pill bottles and melt down the plastics to make figurines or take old shoes and create entire plant nurseries from the soles of the base of the shoes themselves, and even make art installations of cans to make good use of them. What came to mind for me was the fabric that I use on a semi-frequent basis and leave discarded in a corner piling dust. By taking this fabric and pinning it together, taking away the excess and forming it into something new I find out that these scraps can serve more use than cutting away from the large sheets I have stored away in my room.

As this hoodie is beginning to be stitched together scrap by scrap I realize that creating something from objects people see as pointless proves the contrary, this hoodie even though being made from the remnants of useless fabric can be worn once more. By applying my imagination I can create a theming to my hoodie giving it appeal to me and others and creatively put to use the scraps that are leftover in cutting up portions of the fabric. By wearing this hoodie I prove that the fabric does not need to be discarded, instead, it takes imagination to create something out of the remnants we have around us.