Shades of Scenery: Versatile Ensemble from Existing Material

The purpose of this project was to create a versatile design that implements sustainable strategies through 'Reuse,' 'Natural dyeing,' 'Zero Waste,' and 'Designing Light' to portray nature’s shades of scenery that I admire in our landscape. The reuse sustainable strategy was exercised by using a left-over piece of muslin and a basic muslin skirt block from a draping class. The skirt was draped with those muslin fabrics after reconditioning them by dyeing in a natural indigo dye exhaust bath. The designing light concept was fully instigated to create a versatile ensemble that can be worn in multiple ways, which promotes overall environmental benefits.

The draping method was used to form the garments. The top was created by utilizing two rectangular fabrics dyed with several natural dyes without cutting them. For creating a versatile style, hooks and eyes were attached to the back of the top so that if they are hooked, the top was transformed into another style. The back panel can also be tucked into the space formed by closing the hook and eye, which generates an alternative style. The skirt can also be worn as two different styles. This design was awarded Best Graduate Student Award at the American Association of Family & Sciences Conference in Knoxville, TN in 2009, and showcased in the Live Gallery at the ITAA annual conference in Seattle, WA, 2009.