Introduction
Scenario
The Technology Student Association (TSA) hosts multiple competitions each year. One of the events, Fashion Design, requires the group of students to design and create two outfits for an original storybook character of their creation. My partner, Alyssa, and I used this prompt as inspiration for our project. We must design and produce two outfits for an original storybook character that are inspired by marine organisms.
Design Solution
My outfit consists of a shirt inspired by a comb jelly with a matching black skirt. The comb jelly shirt will be made of a light pink chiffon fabric. Sequins painted with fluorescent fabric paint will be sewn onto the shirt in rows to resemble a comb jelly. The skirt will be made of black cotton polyester blend. The final solution drawing is shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1: Comb Jelly Shirt Solution
Relation to Systems Engineering
Innovation
An innovation is defined as “the act or process of introducing new ideas, devices, or methods” (Merriam-Webster, “Innovation”). The design and construction process of creating new garments has long been established and is well-practiced. Alyssa and I are simply using these concepts and processes in creating our own original pieces. We are using existing fabrics and sewing techniques to create these outfits.
Engineering
Textile engineering involves creating fabric from different yarns and threads. A textile engineer is constantly finding new and innovative ways to create better quality fabric. A textile engineer must be experienced in the textile industry and must explore new techniques for production and innovation of making the fabrics.
Manufacturing Type
Making the garments involves craft manufacturing. Craft manufacturing, or craft production, involves making goods by hand. Alyssa and I will be sewing each of these garments without heavy machinery. Sewing machines will aid in sewing the seams of the garments. Craft manufacturing causes each final product to be unique.
Manufacturing Categories
Textile manufacturing is definitely involved in creating the garments. The clothing industry includes the making, sewing, and selling of clothes and accessories. Figure 2 shows numerous clothes being sold at a store. Hypothetically, the garments Alyssa and I will be producing will be part of the clothing industry and textile manufacturing.
Figure 2: Clothes in a store
(Apparel Industry, Web)
Science Concepts
Related Concept/Organism
My final solution is inspired by comb jellies. Comb jellies (Figure 3) are marine organisms that glow in the dark. The shirt designed will glow under black light to mimic the comb jelly’s bioluminescence. Comb jellies move by “pulsing,” so the shirt will have a lightweight, flowy quality. The chiffon fabric mimics this pulsing movement.
Figure 3: Comb Jellies (National Aquarium, Web.)
Technology
Technology Used in Final Solution
Producing the final garment involves multiple technologies. The first, in order to print the patterns used in creating the final shirt and skirt, is the plotter (Figure 4). The plotter prints images and CAD drawings on a large-scale paper. The patterns Alyssa and I created were plotted on paper and fitted to the model. Once pattern fitting is completed, Alyssa and I must cut the fabrics by hand. Most clothing factories cut these patterns using industrial laser cutters. After fabric is cut, we must sew the seams by hand using a sewing machine (Figure 5 and Figure 6). All factories must sew seams by hand because this is a delicate process.
Figure 4: Plotter (Design-Jet Plotter, Web)
Figure 5: Workers sewing fabrics (BusinessLine, Web)
Figure 6: Sewing machine (SewingMachines.us, Web)
Mathematical Computations
Creating garments involves minimal math computations. These simple equations, however, are crucial in correctly producing clothes. In creating the garments’ patterns, one inch must be added to the measurements to place the seams. The equation for this is below:
(measurement + 1)
The measurements taken of the model were in inches, so another simple math equation is converting inches to yards to buy the fabric for the garment. Alyssa and I, while buying the fabrics, gave the measurements needed in yards to the sales associate (Figure 7). The equation for converting inches to yards is below:
(inches/36) = yards
Figure 7: Cutting fabric (CBS Tampa Bay, Web)
Conclusion
My final solution, the comb jelly shirt and skirt, involves using textile engineering, textile manufacturing in the clothing industry, and craft manufacturing. Producing clothing involves well-practiced techniques, such as sewing seams on a sewing machine. My final solution is a shirt inspired by a comb jelly with a matching black skirt. The shirt will have lines of sequins sewn onto it which glow under blacklight. A plotter will be used to print the patterns onto paper, and a sewing machine will be used to sew the seams. Simple math will be used to measure where seams go on the pattern and to determine how much yardage of fabric needed for final solution. My final solution relates to Systems Engineering and STEMM, as shown in full detail.
Works Cited
“Apparel exports can treble on central incentive: AEPC.” Business Line. The Hindu Business
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“Apparel Industry.” Supply Chain Visibility Best Practices. N.p., 5 June 2009. Web. 29 January
2014.
“Best Fabric Stores in Tampa Bay << CBS Tampa.” CBS Tampa Bay. CBS Local Media, 24 July
2012. Web. 29 January 2014.
“HP, Plotter.” Design-Jets. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 January 2014.
“Innovation - Definition.” Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 28
January 2014.
“National Aquarium | Leidy’s Comb Jelly.” National Aquarium. National Aquarium, n.d. Web.
29 January 2014.
“Sewing Machine Shopping Guide.” Sewing Machine Selection Guide. SewingMachines.us, n.d.
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