Sam Saslow
3/2/22
Senior Project
Proposal
For my senior project, I am planning to further my interests in sewing and learn how to professionalize making sustainable fashion. This past summer I have gotten very interested in sewing and making clothes. I have worked on upcycling many pieces of clothing from bags to pants to sweatshirts, and more. I take inspiration from designers and brands I like and through social media when making my clothes. I display all the work I have created on an Instagram account (@soandsewfromwherever). While creating clothes I have always tried to make my clothes sustainably by using second-hand fabrics, clothes from thrift stores, and clothes that I no longer wear anymore. So far throughout my experience of making clothes, I have begun to learn the effects of fast fashion on the environment, communities, and individuals. My experience with sewing thus far has just been upcycling clothes and making clothes pretty quickly without taking my time. With the opportunity of the senior project, I am planning to explore new forms of sewing and really grow at making clothes. Instead of upcycling my clothes, I want to focus on making clothes from scratch by using patterns. In addition, I want to take my time on each piece of clothing I create as opposed to just trying to finish the piece like before.
Essentially my plan for my senior project is to create a series of clothing both upcycled and from scratch while making everything sustainable. The series of clothing will be a fashion line under my name. During this process I plan on learning new skills such as making clothes from scratch, learning about measurements in making clothes, and becoming a better designer and sewer. I can accomplish this by taking the senior seminar for those interested in sewing or if that is not available I plan to sign up for sewing classes that meet once a week. In the midst of this I also plan to learn more about the effects of fast fashion, how I can sew sustainably, and how to source sustainable materials. I will do this by reading on fast fashion, attending webinars on fast fashion, and doing research on where to source sustainable materials. I know that I can source used patterns from ebay, recycled fabric from Fab Scrap, and second hand clothes from thrift stores. When I am not partaking in a senior seminar or a sewing class I plan to make clothes from home with the materials I have being my sewing machine, fabrics, patterns, and more. I will also go out and source materials for my project, and learn about fast fashion through reading, and fill my community service requirement by doing service in my own community or through an organization related to the theme of my project such as Fab Scrap.
By the end of this project I plan to have created 2-5 pieces of clothing from scratch and 10-12 pieces upcycled. Since I have never made clothing from scratch I am aware of how long it will take me to accomplish a piece and how challenging it will be. With the pieces I have created, my plan for my final product is to either display a fashion show where I have people modeling my clothing or a photo shoot where I can display a “lookbook” for the line I have created. I know that if I do a fashion show I will have to keep measurements in mind for the pieces I create for those that will wear them. I will fill three buckets of this project, creative, experience, and service. The creative aspect of my project is creating clothes and a fashion line. The experience aspect will be accomplished through senior seminar or the class I partake in, and the service aspect will be filled by doing community service either in my community or related to my project.
This project will challenge me and help me grow in various ways. I will learn how to sew with patterns and make clothes from scratch as opposed to only upcycling. Pattern making is very challenging along with making clothes from scratch. I also plan to learn new techniques and skills for sewing through the senior seminar or class I take to help me become a better designer. I will also be challenged with keeping my project sustainable in all aspects and learning more about sustainable sewing and the effects of fast fashion.