Class Project: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

 One of my classes this quarter is Line Development for Fashion Knitwear and it really started out with a bang!  We had to design a nine-piece collection with the theme Recycle as our first assignment.  Part of the assignment was to find an already existing designer who recycles or does “green” design and come up with a collection to sell to them for Fall 2010.  I chose local designer (and FIDM Alumna) Claudia Grau. She specializes in one-of-a-kind hand crafted pieces that are unique, a little wacky, and overall very creative. Claudia reuses cashmere sweaters, men’s shirts, etc., cuts them up and sews them into new designs.  I was really inspired when I saw her pieces so I knew this would be a good match for me.  Here is her website so you can take a peek for yourself.  

Grau Design

            The first thing was deciding an inspiration for the collection.  I chose Autumn being that it is my favorite time of year.  After that, the ideas for my swatches came pretty quickly as I find autumn leaves so inspiring and the colors so vibrant and cozy.  Since this project involved recycling I named the collection, Autumn Salvage.  The collection was divided into three categories: Silhouette, Pattern & Color, and Stitch Manipulation.  I named each group after a tree that changes color: Hickory, Poplar and Sumac.  Then I made a trip to The Goodwill and found all sorts of gems.  I picked up a whole bag full of sweaters, a corduroy jacket, and a tie and wool skirt.  The colors were primarily brown, orange, red, green, golden and blue (pretty easy to find this time of year).

             My first group, Hickory, was made from a mixture of pieces I knit and parts that I cut up from the store buys.  I used my sewing machine for some of them and hand stitched others.

            My second group, Poplar, had a running theme of reused denim in each swatch.  These denim pieces are ones I already had at home from jeans that became cut-off shorts. I had saved the denim hoping someday to have a chance to use it, and this was the perfect opportunity! I knit little pieces, sewed them to the denim, designed and crocheted leaves, and I created a jacquard pattern that is done in two color ways then sewn as patchwork with a flower mixed with the men’s tie and denim.

            My third group, Sumac, was made up of intarsia patterns.  To sell it to my client I would say that the yarn was unraveled from sweaters, washed and re-knit into the patterns.  I added embroidery and hand stitching to group.
            In all, I learned a lot about designing a collection under time and material constraints.  It teaches you to buckle down and quickly focus (it also makes you think more creatively).  The late nights all paid off and I’m so happy with the collection of work just from this one assignment. I’m grateful for this time in my life to explore and learn (fail & succeed) full time.  Next on my agenda, you hear about MY collection. That is exciting…. please stay tuned. --Adelle
           

Comments

[jasmine]

I love this new blog.
it gives so many new ideas and a good was to use all those old clothes in the closet.
keep your blog going!!

[ilariav.]

Hi there,
I checked out your blog and I found it very interesting, keep up the good work!
I also came across to a similar "re_use",actually REEDO PROJECT sponsored by the University of Bologna.(Italy)

Reedo (www.reedo.org)is a project developed in the first year of the MSc in Fashion.The goal was to set up a new shop to create fashion and design from the reuse of waste matter.
The shop, as non profit project, is just aimed at creating new cultural events regarding the eco fashion world and exhibiting works and ideas of artists working in this field.
All the best for your project.

regards
Ilaria

[my community]

A friend of mine just emailed me one of your articles from a while back. you read that one a few more.

[mulberry bags]

Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright.