22nd - 26th January - Lap zip!!

This week carrying on with our pattern crazy assignment I decided to do try some new experiment, with the hope that I could then put these into repeated patterns and use them for my final garment. The first experiment I tried was Shibori, this is a process where you tie up some fabric into different shapes or you could put objects within the fabric such as marbles then you soak the fabric. Once you've done this you then place the fabrics into a vat full of indigo, you then leave it in there for 10 minutes then take it out and leave it to rest for 10 minutes before rinsing off. I really enjoyed how these fabrics came out as the marbles had used created some really interesting shapes. I also enjoyed the deep blue created by the indigo and the contrast with the lighter colour where the marbles had been. Because I enjoyed these so much I decided to make them into repeated patterns.

The next experiment I did was Cyanotypes. A definition - A cyanotype is a type of camera-less photography that involves using two chemicals and sunlight (or UV light) to create a cyan-blue print. These prints can be made on any natural fiber, such as paper, cotton, silk, or wool.

I did this by cutting out stencils from paper in the shapes of eyes and eyebrows. Even though I really enjoyed creating these experiments and watching the sun change the fabric. I don't like them enough to use these for my garment as I have stronger patterns already created with bolder shapes and colours.

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In my construction lessons we were learning about how to sew a Lap zip and trouser pocket. This was really useful and interesting as our final garment has to be trousers and a jacket - our own interpretation of the trousers so could be shorts etc. Overall, I really like how this sample came out and I like this style of zip as I think it looks more professional for shorts or trousers so I definitely think ill be using this.