ayusheemakes

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CLO3D

I’m currently taking a CLO3D class. It’s a fashion design software used to visualize garments in 3D and output workable patterns for manufacturing. I’m learning that the fashion industry incorporates a lot of cool tech like this and AI to increase speed and precision.

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Weaving Continued

Last weekend I attended my second weaving workshop. I expanded my practice by

Exploring various weave structures (rib, twill, pebble, plain, etc)

Attempting advanced techniques (clasped weft, pickup, floating selvedge)

Experimenting with different fibers and colors

And finally, designing and executing an original 6 foot piece

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An Update on Project 4

I got my muslin set back from the dye bath! It’s such a lovely, vibrant green. But there was one thing I didn’t account for. The dye bath was for natural materials and my thread was standard polyester so it was left undyed! The contrast white thread on the green is kind of a vibe but it also makes all my mistakes (and there are many since it’s my first button-up) quite visible. I haven’t decided if I’m going to leave it as is or go in with another synthetic dye or marker to cover it up. Either way, it was a great lesson on textiles and dye!

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Make 9 Challenge

This year I’m going to attempt the “make 9” sewing challenge (including a couple of fiber arts/illustration projects). It’s just like it sounds—you choose 9 projects you want to complete in a year. Here’s a list of the projects I will attempt. Good luck to me!

1. Punch needle coasters: I bought this kit to complete this past holiday season but December really got away from me so I want to have these ready to go for next year.

2. Knit sweater (We Are Knitters): Another kit I bought this past holiday season (I clearly was way too ambitious). 

3. Procreate illustrations: I took a Procreate (digital fashion illustration) course this past Fall and would like to finish the last few assignments.

4. Paint muslin outfit: I had made a muslin shorts and button up shirt set earlier last year. The prototype came out so good that I want to convert it into a wearable piece. I’ve already sent it to a local dye bath to get the base color dyed and then plan to collaborate with my mom to hand paint something on it.

5. Matching set (shirt, shorts, hat): Same project as above but replicating the look in one of these beautiful fabrics I ordered from India (Fabriclore).

6. Workout set (Sew it Academy): Probably a side effect of living in LA but I have some stretchy tie dye fabric I want to make a matching workout set out of.

7. The Wilder Gown (Friday Pattern Co): I want to practice my gathering skills with this dress.

8. Brocade pants: In progress from pre-pandemic. A pair of blue brocade pants I need to finally finish.

9. Mood pants: I bought this amazing striped tan and black velvet fabric from Mood when I visited NYC last fall and plan to either make a jumpsuit or pants/top set.

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Camp Workroom Social

A few weekends ago I attended a 4-day sewing camp in the NY Catskills. I signed up on a whim and went by myself. I viewed it as an opportunity to expand my sewing knowledge, connect with like-minded sewists, and as a bonus, rewrite my terrible 6th grade camp experience.

I’m so glad I took the plunge—it was one of the most enriching experiences of my life and exceeded my expectations in all ways. The itinerary was jam-packed with sewing, supplemental fairs, and even some good old-fashioned camp activities (I went zip-lining and pet an owl!). There were 9 course offerings from which I signed up for the beginner-friendly jumpsuit course.

Sewing in the middle of the multi-hued fall woods was pure magic. And the community was such a generous, welcoming space to be in. I attended right after a very personally tough week and the experience was as wholesome and healing as I needed.

Special shout out to powerhouse camp director Jennifer Wiese of Workroom Social whose spirit, hard work, and attention to detail are really what make the camp run. 

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Intro to Weaving

This past weekend I attended a 5 and a half hour weaving workshop at Alamitos Bay Yarn Company. Weaving may sound a bit random but it has been a budding interest of mine for the last year or so. I first encountered weaving during an online textile course. Then, during a visit to Oaxaca (known to be a textile haven) this past March, I visited a workshop where they demonstrated dyeing, spinning, and weaving techniques. Finally, when hunting down some yarn for a knitting project, I stumbled across Alamitos Bay Yarn Company. A weaving workshop was taking place the day I visited. It seemed so peaceful and idyllic, especially in its beautiful, bayside surroundings. I promised myself I would sign up for a later session.

The workshop didn’t disappoint. The instruction was fabulous and the environment was wholesome and supportive. The store owners seemed thrilled to have a couple younger people of color attending. The entire experience made me contemplate the power of community and the difference between communities I’ve dipped my toes in. I’ve found that older, creative communities are wonderfully giving and safe. Some of my favorite recent friendships have been cross-generational.

Once I got the hang of it, I entered a meditative flow. The last time I remember feeling this way was during another repetitive yet detailed task: making dumplings. I have tried my hand at many crafts over the years (pottery, knitting, crocheting, tufting to name a few) but weaving may be at the top of the list now. It was incredibly immersive and I can see myself building a relaxing morning practice of it.

Maybe next I’ll go even further up the garment pipeline and attempt to spin yarn or shear wool off a sheep!

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Illustrator Flats

This past semester I took a course on Illustrator Flats. Although I've taken general Illustrator before, learning it within the context of fashion was eye-opening and I learned to create beautiful, digital flats for a variety of garment types!

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The End of Sewing 1

Sewing 1 was a great class to improve upon my sewing skills. I learned many new techniques that culminated in a bucket hat, button up shirt and elastic shorts.

These shirt and shorts were done in muslin. I plan on redoing the project in some fun block printed fabrics I bought from India. Stay tuned!

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Seams & Scenes

Experimenting with every stitch setting on my sewing machine and a tote bag with fun indigo fabric from Jaipur, India (which stained my hands while working with it) for my sewing class.

Scenes from Oaxaca, Mexico

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Garment Sewing Fundamentals 201

This past week, I took Garment Sewing Fundamentals 201 through Workroom Social with the fabulous Christine Haynes. Here are all the techniques I learned!

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Draping Fun

For this semester’s final project I had to pick a design that applied some of the lessons learned in class. I chose this image of Audrey Hepburn as inspiration.

As a novice sewer, I found the project quite challenging—it incorporated buttons, pleats, princess seams, a collar, and organza balloon sleeves. A lot of these elements were new to me so I struggled but ultimately learned A LOT.

The final design ended up a bit more Cinderella than I anticipated (especially because of the color) but I’m proud of what I accomplished! I gained so much respect for sewists—draping requires so much technical skill, strategy, and math.

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Scenes from the Last Month

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Ramping Up Play

My last 2 weeks were full of play!

I got back into dance after YEARS. It’s still the only thing that puts me completely in the zone.

I’m learning how to crochet.

I started a new draping class at Otis. Being on campus in a creative atmosphere is so invigorating.

I made falafel and baba ghanoush to shake off some cooking inertia.

I took a virtual garment fundamentals workshop where I connected with an amazing community and picked up some new tips and tricks

My heart is full and my inner child is tickled!

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Barcelona

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Final Projects

As the semester comes to a close, I'm reflecting on my progress since my first fashion design class. I've rediscovered my love for art through my fashion illustration class and my initial anxiety has dissipated into enjoyment. This semester's textile class has reconnected me with my inner child. I love working with my hands and the projects take me back to high school, especially since I've been getting my mom involved!

Shirts made with freezer paper stencil technique

Silk painted scarf

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New Toys

I made/got some new toys this month!

A huge set of alcohol markers for fashion illustration

A rickshaw rug I made in a tufting class

And here's my completed male runway illustration

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Male Fashion Sketch, Shibori, and a New Tattoo!

Male fashion sketch

In last week’s fashion illustration session we took on the male form. This is my progress so far, next steps are working on his face and then rendering with marker. More updates to come!

Shibori

Shibori, a Japanese tie-dyeing technique using natural indigo, was assigned as homework for my textile class. I have fond memories of tie-dyeing with my mom as a kid so I enlisted her help. I chose to dye linen to make formal cloth napkins and I loved the end result.

New Tattoo

Finally got tattoo # 5 after a long wait. It’s a lullaby my mom used to sing to me from a 1960s Bollywood movie. Chanda hai tu, Mera suraj hai tu, O meri aankhon ka tara hai tu (You are my moon, you are my sun, you are the star of my eyes.)