Testing Procedures

Introduction

    The final solution will be a costume intended to be worn by a fairy tale character of our creation. The story will be transformed into a live stage production, and, hypothetically, the outfit will be worn by a live actress on stage. The outfit must be inspired by a marine organism and made completely from scratch. The outfit will be made using proper sewing techniques. The outfit must be appropriate for stageplay. This entails that the outfit must have permanent closures and can easily be taken on and off for quick changes backstage. I will be administering testing and carefully choose the best way to create this final solution.

Testing Type: Exploratory

Testing Stage: Preliminary

State of Solution: Drawing/Sketching

Condition of Testing Stage: Conceptual on paper

Tools and Equipment Required: Paper, pencil, and eraser

Testing Procedures:

1. Review brainstorming

2. Sketch and review alternate solutions

3. Describe alternate solutions

4. Post to blog

 

 

Testing Type: Exploratory

Testing Stage: Secondary

State of Solution: Design Matrix

Condition of Testing Stage: Conceptual on paper/computer

Tools and Equipment Required: Microsoft Excel/data table

Testing Procedures:

1. Construct a grid/data table

2. Determine specifications/limitations involved

3. Determine rating scale (i.e. scale of 1-5)

4. Rate each solution using specifications

5. Add points together

6. Determine highest scoring solution

7. Post matrix to blog

8. Further develop chosen solution

 

See Design Matrix

Testing Type: Exploratory

Testing Stage: Tertiary

State of Solution: Fabric Board

Condition of Testing Stage: Conceptual on computer

Tools and Equipment Required: Microsoft Powerpoint, images

Testing Procedures:

1. Acquire Comb Jelly alternate solution

2. Research images related to final solution (i.e. different fabrics, sequins, etc.)

3. Post images into Powerpoint slide

4. Insert text related to final solution (i.e. “bioluminescent,” “lightweight”)

5. Arrange images in groups on Powerpoint slide according to text

6. Align images with each other

7. Post to blog

Testing Type: Assessment

Testing Stage: Preliminary

State of Solution: Fabric Testing

Condition of Testing Stage: Fabric store/indoors

Tools and Equipment Required: Final solution drawing

Testing Procedures:

1. Acquire potential fabrics for final solution

2. Test the quality of fabric

3. Test elasticity of fabric

4. Compare color of fabric to final solution

5. Compare prices between potential fabrics

6. Determine yardage needed

7. Purchase fabric for final solution

Testing Type: Assessment

Testing Stage: Secondary

State of Solution: Pattern fitting

Condition of Testing Stage: Indoors

Tools and Equipment Required: Pattern, pins, live model, tape, measuring tape, scissors

Testing Procedures:

1. Acquire full-size pattern

2. Acquire live model

3. Test fit at waist

4. Test fit at arms

5. Test length of sleeves

6. Pin/tape garment where seam is required

Testing Type: Assessment

Testing Stage: Tertiary

State of Solution: Initial fabric fitting

Condition of Testing Stage: Indoors

Tools and Equipment Required: Fabric, live model, scissors, pins, thimble, measuring tape

Testing Procedures:

1. Acquire fabric

2. Acquire live model

3. Place fabric on model

4. Pin garment where seam is required

5. Remove garments from model

Testing Type: Assessment

Testing Stage: Quaternary

State of Solution: Sewing technique

Condition of Testing Stage: Indoors

Tools and Equipment Required: Fabric, sewing machine, needles, thread, scissors, thread cutter

Testing Procedures:

1. Acquire fabric

2. Acquire sewing machine

3. Begin sewing seams

4. Check seam for puckering

5. Finish sewing seams

Testing Type: Validation

Testing Stage: Preliminary

State of Solution: Final fitting

Condition of Testing Stage: Indoors

Tools and Equipment Required: Garments, model, pins, thread, scissors, thread cutter

Testing Procedures:

1. Acquire final garment

2. Acquire model

3. Place garments on model

4. Check fit of each garment

5. Mark seams or spots that need fitting

6. Fix any issues

7. Place garment on model

8. Ensure outfit looks as desired

9. Repeat steps 4-7 until garment fits correctly

Observation Sheet
Testing Type: Exploratory Testing Stage: Preliminary	1. Were at least three alternate solutions sketched? 2. Were these ideas sketched based off of brainstorming? 3. Were these ideas original? 4. Do these sketches meet all specifications required?
Testing Type: Exploratory Testing Stage: Secondary	1. Was a professional-looking/organized design matrix/specification chart created? 2. Does the matrix include pictures of alternate solutions? 3. Were specifications, a scale, and a point system included? 4. Did one alternate solution have a higher score? 5. Is chosen solution viable to use as final solution?
Testing Type: Exploratory Testing Stage: Tertiary	1. Is fabric board created electronically? 2. Are pictures of chosen solution included? 3. Are pictures of chosen fabrics included? 4. Are words related to chosen solution included? 5. Are pictures neatly organized on Powerpoint slide? 6. Does fabric board illustrate final solution?
Testing Type: Assessment Testing Stage: Preliminary	1. Do all potential fabrics meet desired image of chosen solution? 2. Does chosen fabric have desired elasticity? 3. Does chosen fabric have desired color? 4. Does chosen fabric have desired sheerness? 5. Does chosen fabric have desired quality? 6. How expensive is chosen fabric compared to other potentials?
Testing Type: Assessment Testing Stage: Secondary	1. Does pattern fit model as desired? 2. Is pattern an appropriate representation of final solution? 3. Does pattern size need to be altered in any way?
Testing Type: Assessment Testing Stage: Tertiary	1. Does fabric fit model as desired? 2. Are the seams lying where they should be? 3. Do any changes need to be made to the garment?
Testing Type: Assessment Testing Stage: Quaternary	1. Is seam puckering? 2. Does the fabric bunch up while sewing? 3. Are the stitches staying in place? 4.Is the fabric reacting to sewing technique as desired?
Testing Type: Validation Testing Stage: Preliminary	1. Does garment fit model as desired? 2. Do seam look as they should? 3. Does garment look as desired? 4. Does garment need to be altered in any way?

Fabric Board

 

Works Cited

 

“6mm Flat Sequins PHOSPHORESCENT Night Glow.” Amazon.com. Amazon, Inc., n.d. Web.

4 December 2013.

“Comb Jelly.” Monterey Bay Aquarium. Monterey Bay Aquarium, n.d. Web. 3 December 2013.

“Coral Chiffon Fabric.” Etsy. Etsy, Inc., n.d. Web. 4 December 2013.

“Ibiza Stretch Twill Black.” Fabric.com. Fabric.com, Inc., n.d. Web. 5 December 2013.

“Natural Disaster Couture: Halston’s Glow-In-the-Dark Sequin Gown.” Inhabitat. Inhabitat, 28

August 2011. Web. 3 December 2013.

 “Poly Chiffon Satin.” China-Direct-Buy. DIYTrade, 14 Dec 2007. Web. 3 December 2013.

“Vega Wang’s Bioluminescent Couture.” Fashioning Tech. Syuzi, 4 November 2010. Web. 5

December 2013.



Design Matrix

Specification Chart
Specifications	Comb Jelly Shirt	Cuttlefish Dress	Jellyfish Dress
Garment must be designed for an original fairy tale character	5	5	5
Garment must be inspired by a marine organism	5	5	5
Garment must have permanent closures	5	5	5
Garment must be appropriate for stage play	3	2	3
Garment must be made of quality materials	4	4	3
Garment must be safe for the wearer	5	5	4
Garment must have aesthetic value	5	5	4
Cost to make	3	3	2
Complexity to produce components	3	3	2
TOTAL:	38	37	33

Rationale Report

Introduction: Character Fashion Design Challenge

            The Technology Student Association (TSA), an organization made of students interested in technology, holds multiple state and national competitions each year. TSA utilizes STEM – science, technology, engineering, and mathematics – to create different categories and events for state and national competitions. My partner, Alyssa, and I used one of their events as inspiration for our senior project. We must create two outfits for a fairytale character of our creation. The two outfits must be inspired by marine organisms and involve an educational aspect. I have created three alternate solutions for this project after researching different marine organisms. The rationale below determines which alternate solution best suits the project.

 

Comb Jelly Alternate Solution

Introduction

            My first alternate solution resembles a comb jelly. Comb jellies possess bioluminescent abilities and appear to pulse through the water. Glow-in-the-dark sequins sewn onto the shirt in lines appear similar to the comb jelly bioluminescent features. Lightweight and non-fitting material mimics the comb jelly’s pulsing movement through the water.
 

Pros

            This alternate solution clearly displays the resemblance between the shirt and a comb jelly. This shirt does not require many different sewing stitches. The chiffon material making up the shirt costs very little. The glow-in-the-dark sequins cost around ten dollars for a large pack. Material does not affect the shirt’s production. The shirt’s ability to glow can easily be displayed on stage. The shirt can effortlessly be taken on and off for quick-changes backstage. The shirt looks professional and feels comfortable for the wearer.
 

Cons

            Although this outfit seems easier to make than the other two solutions, I would have to order the sequins online and then sew each one on the shirt by hand. Sewing each one on requires time and tedious work. The sequins may not glow on the shirt as well as intended. Sewing shirts proves to be more difficult than sewing a simple dress. The chiffon material may be more on the expensive side. This shirt may also be too casual for a stage costume.

 

Conclusion

            Overall, this solution proves to be viable and relatively easy to produce. This solution consists of a shirt that resembles a comb jelly. Glow-in-the-dark sequins sewn onto the shirt create a bioluminescent effect, mimicking the comb jelly.

 

Cuttlefish Alternate Solution

Introduction

            A cuttlefish inspired this dress. Cuttlefish change color using special color pigments that open and close depending on their surroundings. They use this characteristic to camouflage themselves and intimidate prey. Special fabric paint allows the garment to change color in sunlight. Wire sewn into the bottom mimics the cuttlefish’s movement.

 

Pros

            This alternate solution proves to be very unique. The dress would stand out on stage. The dress seems quite comfortable for the wearer, especially an actress on stage. Changing in and out of it would not be difficult.

 

Cons

            This alternate solution would not be easy to produce. The wire would have to be sewn into the bottom by hand. Obtaining the color-changing fabric paint/ink is difficult and expensive. I am not sure how the fabric would react to the ink either. Showing the dress’s ability on stage would not be easy; the paint requires sunlight or UV rays to change color. The dress requires difficult sewing techniques.

 

Conclusion

            All in all, this solution would not be viable to make. The fabric paint to mimic the cuttlefish changing color is expensive and may not work. Showing the dress’s ability to change color in sunlight would also be difficult on the stage.

 

Jellyfish Alternate Solution

  Introduction

            A jellyfish inspired this dress. Lightweight chiffon ruffles sewn into the bottom mimic the jellyfish’s tentacles. Jellyfish possess the ability to glow in the dark. LED lights sewn into the bottom of the ruffles imitate the jellyfish’s ability to glow.

 

Pros

            This alternate solution proves to be great for stageplay. The LED lights can easily be displayed on stage. The dress is elaborate enough for a stage costume.

 

Cons

            The dress may be hard to put on and off during quick changes backstage. Assembling the dress would be the most difficult part of this solution. I would have to individually sew each ruffle onto the bottom of the dress. This seems to be time-consuming and tedious to create. Measuring the dress would be difficult because of the high-low style. The dress requires a lot of fabric. The dress may not be very comfortable for the wearer either.

 

Conclusion

            Overall, this solution does not meet all of the requirements of the project. The dress would be time-consuming and difficult to assemble.

 
 

See Design Matrix

Conclusion

            Out of the three alternative solutions, the comb jelly shirt is the most viable for this project. According to the design matrix, the first solution is the best choice to further develop, design, and make. The shirt is the least expensive and easily shows its ability to glow on stage. The comb jelly shirt is my chosen solution.

Alternative Solutions

Comb Jelly Shirt

A comb jelly inspired this shirt. Comb jellies possess bioluminescent abilities and appear to pulse through the water. Glow-in-the-dark beads or sequins sewn onto the shirt in lines appear similar to the comb jelly bioluminescent features. Lightweight and non-fitting material mimics the comb jelly's pulsing movement through the water.

Cuttlefish Dress

A cuttlefish inspired this dress. Cuttlefish change color using special color pigments that open and close depending on their surroundings. They use this characteristic to camouflage themselves and intimidate prey. Special fabric paint allows the garment to change color in sunlight. Wire sewn into the bottom mimics the cuttlefish's movement.

Jellyfish Dress

A jellyfish inspired this dress. Lightweight chiffon ruffles sewn into the bottom mimic the jellyfish's tentacles. Jellyfish possess the ability to glow in the dark. LED lights sewn into the bottom of the ruffles imitate the jellyfish's ability to glow.