Category: Independent Project

Currently, 5 out of the 6 elements in my Thanksgiving Dinner have been completed. The only element left is the asparagus, which I’m planning to complete by tomorrow.

The methods of creating the first five elements are shown below:

Plate: First cut two identical pieces of cloth then sewed together the bottom portion with minimal stuffing. Then cut small portions off each of the four corners only to sew them back together with stuffing for a slight 3D effect.

Macaroni and Cheese: first felted into long strands of yellow wool, then felted each strand into itself after cutting them into appropriate lengths.

Mashed Potatoes: Felted each ball first then combined the two scoops via felting.

Turkey: First cut out the individual pieces. Then used reactive dyes to dye the cloth into a light brown color. Then sewn the pieces together after putting in sufficient wool stuffing. Then added velcro to the sides so the wings and drums become detachable.

(Planned) Asparagus: Cut out circular sponge pieces, wrap them in green, then add texture on the top tip area by stacking green cloth then cutting them into the desired shape.

IMG_1032

I have finished cutting the different parts necessary for the dresses and made a mock-up and sewed the top of the actual yellow dress. I fitted the top part of the dress to myself, not sure how the bottom will be if it is not as stretchy. Pictures shown above.

Screen Shot 2021-11-30 at 1.52.48 PM

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Over the break, I looked at a lot of machine embroidery tutorials and used Inkscape to make two designs of fruit stickers. I still have to learn how to finalize the design that is ready for the machine but these two will be the test run, which will hopefully work so I can make more intricate and bigger embroideries.

Over the break, I went through the process of setting up the files with PEmbroider for one of my visualizations. Since I won’t be able to see the results of the process until class Tuesday, I paused on going through with all of my files. Once I see this sample and streamline the vector png process, I plan to get a computer from IDEATE lending with adobe illustrator to vectorize my screenshots much faster than before. Overall I didn’t get much done over Thanksgiving break and plan to make up time quickly.

Below is the original png and the whiteout version of it.

Original png

Whiteout Png

I was able to finish tracing and cutting all the final pieces and watched a couple more online videos of people making a more traditional qipao. I also went to Walmart to purchase a nude zipper, more bias tape, and more nude thread to be used when sewing. Because the fabric already has designs of flowers and birds, I decided to also challenge myself to emborder on top of them. When I was at Walmart, I found some embroidery items that I can practice with.

I am a little behind my original schedule but I plan to finish sewing and adding the bias tape/buttons/zipper by this Friday. I would like to use this weekend to add the embroidery designs after seeing how the qipao looks and fits.

Below is an image of the cut pieces and all the supplies I purchased online and from Walmart.

patterns&supplies

I have ordered ramie fabric online and am expecting to receive them by this Friday December 3rd, so I will not be able to begin constructing the bojagi just yet. I began collecting some other textiles that I may also incorporate into the bojagi to add variety in texture.

For the past week, I have been familiarizing myself with hand embroidering and brainstorming/sketching designs that I would like to hand or machine embroider onto my bojagi piece. Most recently, I began sketching branches, leaves, and persimmons on Adobe Illustrator to potentially use it for machine embroidering. I’m waiting to see how machine embroidering may or may not work on more transparent fabrics like ramie to see if machine embroidering is a tool that will be useful for me.

persimmon illustration progress

hand embroidery experimentation

I’m still brainstorming ideas for the overall layout of the bojagi. I feel like my mind has been very scattered with this idea, so I need some more time to sit down and focus on painting a better picture of what it is that I ultimately want to create.

Until my fabrics arrive, I will fully develop my bojagi layout and finish drafting the illustrations for embroidery.

I created a file for computerized embroidery. I drew one lotus in Adobe Illustrator. Then I used PEmbroidery to create 4 copies of it. I explored different types of stroke and fills to create 4 different versions of the lotus. I also added text on top. I plan on adding this embroidery onto my jacket.

I also started hand embroidering flowers onto my jacket. I looked at tutorials on how to embroider these different types of flowers. Then I drew on the pattern with an air erasable pen.

Core Concept:

I want to make a more traditional qipao for my final project. In the past, I made a more modernized qipao where the zipper is on the back, the dress is shorter and less tight, and the fabric design is black with colorful butterflies. This time, I want to include more traditional elements. This specific qipao would have a zipper on the side and two slits. It would also be longer and tight-fitted. I also plan to use fabric with designs of birds and flowers. The qipao would also be made to fit me and hopefully be used as a dance costume for a future performance.

Materials:

I have already purchased the fabric I plan to use to make the qipao. I am unsure what the material is called but it is thick and stretchy. For the buttons on the front, I plan to use Chinese qipao buttons that look like butterflies. I will also be using a long black zipper and nude bias tape. I would also need a sewing machine and other sewing-specific materials (like a zipper foot) which I will borrow from Ideate.

Timeline:

11/26 – finish cutting all the pieces, ready to be sewn together

11/27 – finish sewing everything together

11/28 – finish making minor changes

– The timeline above might change a little depending on when the buttons arrive

Below are some images of the pattern, design, and what I hope the final outcome to look like:

qipaoSketch

qipaoPattern2

qipaoPattern1

qipaoDesign