Making prototypes - addition, deforming, reforming and wastage
When producing The first working model of a design used for testing, development and evaluation., a variety of processes can be used, classed as:
- forming
- wastage
- addition
Forming
When textile material is transformed from its Standard sizes for a material, component or product., usually A way to describe that a material is normally much thinner than it is long or wide. from a Flexible material wrapped around a tube or turned over and over on itself without folding., into a product or garment the term Taking fabric and using it to cut shapes that, once sewn, will become a 3D-formed garment. is used. This term is used with any product that has been made from material. Products that have been made from timbers, metals and polymers have all been ‘formed’ from a stock form of that material type.
- gathering - achieved by sewing two parallel lines to the top of a piece of fabric that can be pulled gently to A gathered piece of fabric. up the fabric and create fullness
- pleats - folds of fabric that are sewn into place and used to shape skirts
- shirring - created by sewing thin elastic, known as shirring elastic, into a garment in rows, creating elasticated panels
- darts - used to shape a garment on the bust, waist or back by sewing parallel lines on the inside
- seams - formed at the point where two pieces of fabric are joined, they can be plain or overlapped to be hidden
- hems - used to neaten edges and to finish raw edges, they are generally straight but can be used to create a decorative edge
- felting - uses bonded fabrics, such as felt, which can be moulded over a A solid shape that is often used to make a mould. by heating and wetting it, the fibres can be pulled into shape and permanently set, used to make seamless hats
Wastage
Wastage is the process of cutting away material with tools and equipment. Creating textiles products will always involve a certain amount of waste, cut away from the pattern shapes needed, but good design can minimise the amount of fabric wasted.
- die cutters - shaped blades inside a foam stamp that can press through and cut several layers of fabric at once
- laser cutters - use a The process of creating a 2D or 3D design using computer software. drawing to make controlled laser cuts through fabric accurately and quickly
- shears - sharp scissors are used to cut a clean edge in fabric
- pinking shears - a type of scissor that cuts a zigzag edge to stop fabrics fraying
- heat element - a hot blade that can be used to cut through synthetic fabrics
Addition
Addition is the process of adding on material to another piece of material. At least two single pieces of material need to be combined for addition to take place.
- a godet - a pleat of fabric that is sewn to the underside of a fabric, it can be made in a contrasting colour and adds volume to a dress skirt
- piping - created using a thin strip of fabric cut on the The diagonal direction across a fabric. and stitched around cord, this is inserted into the seam around the edge of soft furnishings or bags to improve wear and look attractive
- quilting - achieved using layers of fabric that are stitched together around a central wadding to create a thick, warm quilt
