Fabricating Fashion

Pre-requisites for enrolment

No previous experience required. Some experience of hand and machine sewing desirable.

Special Information

Essential materials you will need to bring to the first class:

• An A4 hardback sketchbook / notebook

• A range of drawing materials; pencils, pens etc.

• Some old fashion magazines

• Scissors

• Craft knife

• Pritt Stick

Materials and equipment provided for students as part of the course and included in course fee:

• Some basic sewing equipment / threads / needles /scissors etc.

• Sewing machines

• Iron/ironing board

• Heat tools

Essentials Materials and equipment students will need to provide themselves:

• Selection of needles (embroidery / general selection) and pins

• Fabric scissors and small embroidery scissors

• A quick un pick (small sharp device for unpicking stitching)

• Threads for hand and machine embroidery (black, white, gray with one or two colours)

• Election of fabrics: organza, cotton small print, and denim/indigo fabrics. Approx 30cm. fabrics can be recycled, shirts sheeting etc.

• Hard backed sketch book / drawing paper, scrap paper for collage

• Some drawing materials, pencils, charcoal, pastels, inks

• Scissors / craft knife

• Glue – Pritt stick, PVA

• Brushes, sponges, spatulas, rollers, things to apply paint with

• Small selection of acrylic paints. optional

Additional recommended materials and equipment students can provide:

• Bond-a-web / interfacing (Vilene)

• Baking parchment / silicon paper

• Fabrics scraps, buttons, ribbon and odds and ends found in your sewing box

• Selection of papers / thin card  /recycled paper / wrappers / tickets / labels etc.

• Selection of sewing machine needles and bobbins

Content of Course

Over the class sessions the course will cover:

1. Introduction to fashion design and embellishment.

2. Garment embellishment – stitch / fabric manipulation.

3. Design and fashion drawing / building a sketch book.

4. Project 1 Basic garment construction.

5. Project 2. Recycled Fashion.

6. Presenting your work.

Teaching method(s)

This course will be based and delivered in specialist art and design studios or workshops and will typically include a range of practical exercises, introductions to techniques, processes and concepts, and set projects which lead to more focused and personal exploration. Each week, students’ progress will be monitored and supported by the tutor who will suggest follow up reading, research and practice to undertake each week to support their studies. Teaching will include practical demonstrations, one to one tuition, group discussions and critiques.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate contextual awareness of the creative potential of fashion, textiles and stitch;

• Realise the creative potential of fashion textiles and stitch through samples and experimentation, evolving ambitious personal creative outcomes;

• Select, edit and present a coherent a range of samples and finished works which demonstrate a creative an informed use of stitch and textiles techniques.

Sources

Core Readings

Recommended:

FUKAI, A., 2002, Fashion: the collection of the Kyoto Costume Institute: a history from the 18th to the 20th century, London: Taschen

GEOFFROY-Schneiter, B., 2001, Ethnic Style, Translated by Dusinberre, D., New York: Assouline

KUMAGAI, K., 1982, Ladies Fashion illustration, Tokyo: Graphic-Sha

REDMILE, B., 1984, Machine Dressmaking, London: B T Batsford

WALKER, H., 2011, Less is more: minimalism in Fashion, London: Merrell

Web Sources

Web sources may be suggested during the course.

Class Handouts

Course information will be provided on enrolment and handouts provided during the course.

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email COL@ed.ac.uk or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.