Red Dress 2022
“The YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts is holding its 20th Annual Red Dress Fashion Show. The purpose of the event is to raise awareness about heart disease in women and raise funds to support their HEARTplus Program.
Heart Disease is the #1 killer of American women, but it does not have to be. The event will educate women about their risk of heart disease, provide them with information on how to speak with their health care provider and tell them how heart disease has affected the lives of women like them. The YWCA HEARTplus Program focuses on outreach, education, raising awareness and increasing understanding of the risks of cardiovascular disease, particularly among women of color, older women and low-income women. This program also assists women with obtaining health screenings necessary for them to identify their own personal risk.” - YWCA MA website
The sketch
Different dye combinations I had received a bolt of narrow red fabric. It had been stored in a basement and had some staining on the first few layers. Dying was the best way to cover those.
Some of the pieces drying after a dye bath
Playing around with the fabric to get an idea for the skirt
Weaving the dyed strips to make the skirt pattern
Bodice edit
Fitting on the mannequin
One of the fittings
Final Flat lay
All of the dyed sections are pockets for a utilitarian and elegant look
Final fitting
Outfit complete with final styling
Canopy Fabrication 2023
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The Design
Designed by Aaron Fractal. Uses 26,000 sq ft of stretch knit
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First stages
Surging on the hem around the edges of each section
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Second stage: Tabs
Sewing tabs around the sections on the hem
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How it hangs
Testing to see how the tabs will hold. This is one of the medium size pieces.
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A few of the pieces
A few of the pieces drying after getting a fire retarding treatment
