December 13, 2025
This afternoon, I went to my second sewing and fashion design class.
Today, I made a skirt on a model (not to scale) figure. I learned the shapes involved and how to measure the length (e.g. drawing on the cloth to find the center and sides of the fabric, and making room so that I can have ‘seam allowance’ which connects the skirt at the end).
I also continued learning sewing, and I was able to start and end a line by threading a needle, putting it through the cloth, and tying the knot (at the beginning and end), all by myself.
This class was very interesting because I saw that even if something looks right at first (e.g. the shape of the front of the skirt), once you start to add the other pieces, then you may see areas in need of improvement (the skirt wasn’t symmetrical and had excess fabric on one side because a part of it was slightly lopsided). I think this experience taught me that once you see the larger picture, you are able to tell what parts need improvement and what parts are good.
This also reminds me of the story of Jacopo da Pontormo, an Italian painter who isolated himself for 11 years while painting in the Basilica of San Lorenzo, and he eventually died before he could finish. Jacopo did not take any breaks to look at the larger picture, and he had no external criticism or feedback, as it is said that Pontormo did not let anyone in the church until he could complete the art. In the end, the art connoisseur Giorgio Vasari described the frescoes as having too many people and being “horrendous,” and led to myths of the artist going mad. I believe this relates to my experience because until I saw the larger picture, I had no idea that the skirt was not ‘coherent’ or symmetrical, and it is always a good idea for other people (even if they are not experts) to look at your piece (finished or not) so that you can keep improving.
Overall, I discovered a lot about practicality of designs, like making the seams and rechecking how the skirt fits. I also want to learn more about making non-clothing but useful objects, such as a pouch or a bag.
