The lozenge pattern, which consists of beads arranged in a diamond shape, has a special significance in ancient Egyptian history. Archaeological discoveries from the Old Kingdom have uncovered garments decorated with this pattern, leading to debates among experts. Some believe these beaded creations were only used for funerals, while others think they were also worn daily. One notable example of this pattern is royalty's beadnet dress, a stunning garment. It combined the lozenge pattern with shimmering beads, creating a captivating effect.

The aim of this project is to:

• Create a parametric library of accurate 3D models representing ancient Egyptian beadwork patterns in fashion.

• Explore the feasibility of translating these 3D models to fabric material using 3D printing techniques.

• Study the durability and wearability of these 3D-printed designs.

• Revive the Egyptian heritage by applying modern technology to ancient fashion.

• Preserve and celebrate the rich cultural legacy of ancient Egyptian fashion.

• Provide contemporary audiences with the opportunity to engage with and appreciate historical art forms in a tangible and immersive manner.

Design Requirements

• Mimicking the lozenge pattern structure.

• Adding the "Parametric Design" feature to ease structure variations.

• Making the whole beading process faster and easier.

• Producing an Open-Source reliable library for anyone to use.

The design process for the lozenge pattern underwent multiple stages, beginning with careful observation and progressing through iterative trial and error. Currently, we are advancing further by drawing inspiration from the rich heritage of the past.  

The Observation

The Lozenge pattern evokes a sense of satisfaction through its regular triangular tessellation, prompting us to envision a series of angled lines intersecting and running parallel to each other. Taking these observations into account and considering the design requirements mentioned earlier, a preliminary draft of the lozenge pattern design was created. This design incorporates a feature that enables the insertion of threads during the printing process, resulting in a cohesive beaded mesh in a single piece. 

During that phase, multiple layer heights and different thread diameters and materials were experimented to discover the design constrains and best implementation thus results.

Different-Thread Trials:

Printing the mesh with its final shape was esthetic but not practical because the bigger the mesh, the larger the printing area, and more time will be required to produce a large piece. What if we made use of the free spaces in the pattern to produce more beads?

In order to successfully adapt a traditional craft to modern times, it is crucial to grasp its fundamental principles. Let's explore the step-by-step process of creating a lozenge pattern using the traditional beading technique: 

1. First we will get two wires connected at a common point.

2. We will add the rhombus-side beads.

3. We will add a connecting bead to close the shape  and secure the structure.

Upon closer examination, you will notice that the wires do not overlap. Instead, they pass through the middle bead in a parallel manner.

The assembly process of the final piece took two different approaches. Initially, the idea was to create several printed patches with a lozenge pattern and then tie them together using the leftover threads. However, this method didn't turn out to be visually appealing or practical for a wearable piece because it would have resulted in visible seam lines.

But then, the internal structure of the middle bead was modified. This allowed for extensions to be added to an already completed section of the piece. The extensions were carefully attached using the extra threads, and new threads were introduced to connect the new beaded structure. This approach resulted in a seamless and consistent overall shape for the final piece.