Inquiry Project Process

My Inquiry Project is to try to learn a new pattern to knit with rather than a normal knit stitch. I wanted to use this Inquiry Project as a means to be able to explore and reconnect with a new hobby. I chose knitting a scarf as my project because I wanted to make a detailed oriented project that would be relaxing while keeping my mind focused, similar to meditation. Whenever I had free time, I would be able to work on being productive instead of feeling guilty or uncomfortable wasting time re-watching a movie or TV show. I decide to name my project: Sometimes Happiness is a Bumbleberry Pie.

Here’s the video where I learned the basket stitch

Process of A Basket Full of Happiness

Week 3

I finally finished my scarf project. It took a lot of time but I’m satisfied to say that I feel accomplished from this achievement. Although for me, knitting this scarf felt like a rhythm at one point but it was still very time consuming. However, I found this to be an enjoyable hobby and will most likely be pursuing future knitting (or possibly crocheting) projects as a pastime.

Week 2

The second week continued working on knitting my basket stitch pattern. However, I started rushing at one point and ended up messing up twice. My first mess-up was when I completely skipped a column to knit and it ended up unravelling down 3 rows. I had to go back and redo all of the three rows again because the missed stitch was not salvageable. My second mess-up was when I accidentally knitted my purls at one point instead of purling my purls according to the video which left an awkward blank space in my scarf. I had to unravel my stitches to be able to fix the noticeable gaps.

Week 1

The first week I simply rewatched the YouTube tutorial a couple of times so I wouldn’t feel the need to go back and watch it again. Then, I started to pick out what yarn I wanted and started working on the first couple of rows. I felt confused on where I had to purl or knit, so I had the rewatch the video anyways. The name of the yarn was called Bumbleberry, which was also the name of a type of pie. I found it ironic since the stitch I was using to create my scarf was similar to the cover shell of a pie. At one point, I realized I knitted too many rows where I should’ve purled, so I was set back to near the beginning of my project. I made it my goal for this week to at least be able to finish one section of color.

1. HOW DIFFICULT DID YOU FIND THIS PROJECT?

I found that operating the sewing machine wasn’t very difficult once I understood how to operate it. However, I struggled with understanding the written directions because I found the explanations confusing so I often had to ask the teacher for what to do for my step.

2. WHAT DID YOU LEARN THE MOST ABOUT DURING THIS PROCESS?

For this project, I felt like I learned a lot about how to sew using the sewing machine since this was my first time operating one. I enjoyed using the sewing machine and I’m considering remaking my passion project to involve using the sewing machine.

3. WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY IF YOU HAD TO DO THIS PROJECT AGAIN?

If I had to do this project again, I would have taken the extra time to take more accurate measurements of my doll and try to scale the fitting of my pants better so my doll could properly wear it. I would also like to try using a different material such as denim and try adding extra pockets to the pant legs.

Week 5 – Finale – This was my final week working on my project and I finished sewing my doll pants.

2. My success was that I finally completed my doll pants sewing project.

3. Something I found challenging was that I struggled stringing the elastic in the waistband of the pants because it kept sliding and not staying in place when I was sewing it down.

4. My Goal for this week is to get started on my next project, which is trash fashion.

Week 4 – This week I learned how to use the sewing machine and I did the first 3 steps in the instructions.

2. My success was that I completed the first four steps in sewing the pants.

3. Something I found challenging was that I had to keep redoing the second step when I had to sew the pockets since they weren’t even on each side. I also wasn’t able to complete my goal from last week.

4. My Goal for this week is to finish sewing my pants.

Week 3 – On my third week, I cut out my design and pinned the blueprint to the fabric I chose. Since I was going to use a different doll to wear the pants I had to adjust the length of the fabric.

2. My success this week was that I was able to finish cutting out my fabric to be sewed using the sewing machine.

3. Something I found challenging was scaling the size of the pants so it would fit my doll.

4. My Goal for this week is learn more on how to use the sewing machine.

Week 2 – My second week after I sketched my croquis, I started to assemble my fabric and vision board together. I went on the internet and picked out photos that I thought connected to the pants I was making.

2. My success this week was that I was able to select all of the images I wanted for my Mood Board and the fabric I was going to use to make doll pants.

3. Something I found challenging was finding just the right photos that I wanted to use for my mood board and making a layout.

4. My Goal for this week is get started on taking measurements of my doll so I can make sure the pants fit right.

Week 1 – My first week I interviewed my client, asking them what pants they wanted. Then I sketch out my croquis for how they wanted the pants to look.

2. My success this week was that I was able to finish sketching my croquis and drew what I wanted my model to look like.

3. Something I found challenging was learning how to sketch a croquis for the first time.

4. My Goal for this week is to finish assembling my Mood Board.

This is my cut out fabric for my doll pants

My Mood Board – Little Pockets of Joy

2022/06/20 – Sewing Fabric of Apron and completion

1. This week I embroidered the writing on my apron and sewed all my pieces of fabric together. I completed my apron.

2. Some things I struggled with was trying to embroider the letters and words in a straight line across the fabric. There were multiple times I had to redo letters because the pressure foot got caught in the thread and jam up.

2022/06/13 – Cutting out Fabric of Apron

1. What I did last week was that I started sketching and cutting out the parts of my apron.

2. Something I struggled with was properly cutting out the fabric in a straight line.

3. My success this week was that I was able to draw out all the parts of my apron.

4. My goal for this week is to finish my apron.

2022/06/06 – Beginning of Design an Apron

1. What I did last week was that I started designing my apron that I’ll be giving my dad for Father’s Day. I finished my croquis of my apron and selected the fabric I would be using.

2. Something I struggled with was drawing the proportions of the croquis for the design of my apron.

3. My success this week was that I was able to finish my design for my dad’s new apron.

4. My goal for this week is to draw out the plans for my apron.

2022/05/30 – Trashion Fashion Process Completed

1. What I did last week was that I attached the ruffles to the dress’s sleeves and the bottom later of the dress to the cardboard dress. The dress is now finished.

2. Something I struggled with was cutting and trying to attach the bottom part of the dress without cutting or wrinkling the paper.

3. My success this week was that I was able to finish my Trashion Fashion Project

4. My goal for this week is to select fabric for my apron project.

2022/05/24 – Trashion Fashion Process Continued

1. What I worked on last week was that I continued to work on my Trashion Fashion Project. I worked on creating the lower part of my dress and hot-glued the cardboard pieces to the part of the cardboard. I prepared a paper underskirt to add volume to the bottom part of the dress. I also cut out paper slips to be ruffles for my dress’s sleeves.

2. Something I struggled with last week was that I had to re-glue the cardboard strips to the top part of the cardboard dress because they kept on falling off.

3. My success this week was that I finished cutting out the cardboard strips for the bottom part of my cardboard dress.

4. My goal for this week is to finish my Trashion Fashion

2022/05/16 – Fiber Environmental Project

1. What I did last week was that I started and finished my Animal Fiber Environmental Project about silk.

2. Something I struggled with was finding trustworthy sources about information on the process of silk production.

3. My success this week was that I was able to finish my silk project.

4. My goal for this week is to finish my Trashion Fashion.

2022/05/02 – Trashion Fashion Process Continued

1. What I did last week was that I continued recreating my original design for my cardboard fashion. I also constructed the skeleton of my project and put together the front part with staples and hot glue.

2. Something I struggled with was cutting out and shaping my cardboard since I have a limited supply and I didn’t want to wasted any cardboard.

3. My success this week was that I was able to continue on cutting my cardboard and shaping it into my design.

4. My goals for this week is to finish the my trashion fashion project.

2022/05/02 – Trashion Fashion Process Continued

1. What I did last week was that I recreated my original design for my cardboard fashion. I also constructed the skeleton of my project and put together the front part with staples and hot glue.

2. Something I struggled with was cutting out and shaping my cardboard since I have a limited supply and I didn’t want to wasted any cardboard.

3. My success this week was that I was able to get started on cutting my cardboard and shaping it into my design.

4. My goals for this week is to at least finish the top part of my trashion fashion project.

2022/04/25 – Beginning of Trashion Fashion

1. What I did last week was that I finished my doll pants and moved on to starting my Trashion Fashion project. I brought spare cardboard that was left over from a package delivery and drew out a design to make a cardboard shirt using discarded fabric from banners.

2. Something I struggled with coming up with an idea for an accessory to design for my Trashion Fashion project. 

3. My success from last week was that I completed my doll pants project.

4. My goals for this week is to get started and be close to completing my Trashion Fashion project.

2022/04/11 – Final steps to finishing doll pants

1. This is my doll pants process so far.

2. My success was that I’ve nearly completed my doll pants project.

3. Something I found challenging was stringing the elastic through the waistband and sewing it there. The elastic kept stretching into the gap and I found stitching it difficult since it kept moving.

4. My Goal for this week is to get started on my trash fashion project and choose what my artifact will be.

2022/04/04 – Sewing Doll Pants

1. My doll pants sewing process so far

2. My success was that I completed the first four steps in sewing the pants.

3. Something I found challenging was that I had to keep redoing the second step when I had to sew the pockets since they weren’t even on each side. I also wasn’t able to complete my goal from last week.

4. My Goal for this week is to finish sewing my pants.

2022/03/28 – My Doll Pants

1. My doll pants sewing process so far

2. My success before Spring Break was that I used the sewing machine for the first time to complete the first step on assembling my fabric for doll pants.

3. Something I found challenging was sewing a steady line with the sewing machine.

4. My Goal for this week is to finish at least steps 1 to 5 for my doll pants.

2022/03/21 – My Mood Board

1. My Mood Board Process So Far

2. My success last week was that I was able to select all of the images I wanted for my Mood Board and the fabric I was going to use to make doll pants.

3. Something I found challenging was learning how to sketch a croquis for the first time.

4. My Goal for this week is to finish assembling my Mood Board. 

2022/02/14 – My Love Monster

1. My Love Monster Process

2. My success last week was that I was able to finish my Love Monster plushy. I’m going to name him either Kumquat or Voodoo. 

3. Something I found challenging was making the final slip stitch on my Love Monster.

4. My Goal for this week is learning how to use the sowing machine. 

My Love Monster Design

What I want to learn in Textiles 11

In Textiles 11 I first want to learn how to learn how to use a sewing machine. After that I want to learn how to design and alter my clothes such as my shirts.