summary

Ever since I was a child, I would go shopping and try something on that was perfect, but I always thought I could make it better. I never acted on this because I never had the time. When a senior project was presented to me, I decided this would be a perfect time to see what I could do with a sewing machine and maybe make clothes that I was obsessed with. I started this project in February and have made fifteen pieces so far, but have about five other ideas. I started out by ordering six fabrics of all different lengths, but mostly one and a half yards. With 1.5 yards, I thought that I could make at least two items per fabric. As it turns out, I was very wrong about how many items come out of 1.5 yards. It really depends on what you’re making though, because different lengths make different things.

My first shirt ever was inspired by a shirt that I saw online. It didn’t come out the way I had anticipated, but it was definitely a learning experience that set the bar for the rest of the project. My whole idea behind this project is to get a grasp for how much math, thought, and fabric goes into a piece of clothing. I have generally taken it for granted in a sense that I would buy something and think nothing of what had gone into it. How can a shirt cost $2.80? I started out by finding the fabric I wanted, which was a tough feat that I was happy to get over. I chose a purple fabric and started thinking logistics. Trish and I got out the pattern paper and we started sketching one side of the tank top, which would eventually be the whole top. Since it was the first piece, we thought it would be easier to be reversible with a neckline that could either go in the front or the back. Pattern paper is essentially a normal thickness of paper with inch wide squares all throughout it. This makes things so much easier when it comes to straight lines and measuring. What I’ve realized throughout this project is that you need to make the item bigger than you intend on having the final project. Say you have a shirt that is supposed to be hip length – I would add a half-inch for seam allowance.

That is getting ahead of ourselves, though. So after you cut out the fabric (and you have to remember to cut a front and back) then you always sew shoulder seams first. This was an interesting revelation – do not sew the bottom together because then you cannot wear the item. Learned that the hard way. So then once you do shoulder seams you can do side seams. This is all very broad because each piece is a different experience and calls for different moves. After you do shoulder and side seams I generally try on the piece and fix whatever I don’t like so far. It’s hard to make pattern paper then match the new piece that comes from little cuts and alterations. It’s been cool in a sense that I can make the pieces fit my body type perfectly.