Preface
The word fashion invokes a myriad of patterns in our mind that not just reflect upon the creativity of a person, but rather the whole persona of the designer comes into the fore. The word itself creates an aura of glamour and the conceptuality and the creativity of an individual. It talks volumes about the latent talent and the way one perceives fashion. Fashion is an industry which has become a serious business, where lot hard work goes in visualized fantasy.
When we talk about designing, it is not just about the garment but the textile, the feel, the accessories it comprises of, the whole appearance and how well it is carried out on the ramp. How well it is accepted depends on how appealing it looks to catch the fancy of the people who can make or mar the designer’s reputation.
Sheer toil goes into the making of the outfit. Once it is visualised in the mind of the designer, one has to think about the fabric, the fall of the fabric, the season, the occasion (it can be for morning or evening wear), the theme, etc. The cut plays an important role in the making of an outfit. If the cut is not outstanding, then the whole effect is ruined- the cut could be classic or casual. Age plays an important role because it is a decisive factor of designing. The model is also taken into consideration because ultimately it is the model who would do the justice to it.
This book is a compilation of all the essential facts one needs to know to make a career in fashion and textile designing. The details in the book depict the practicalities of the two fields of creativity, which go into making a work worth appreciation and admiration.
Contents
Part I Textile Designing
1. Careers in Textile Designing ………………………………………. 8
2. Tasks and Skills of a Textile Designer ………………………… 10
3. Job Outlook for Textile Designers …………………………….. 14
4. Textiles – A Historical Perspective …………………………….. 16
5. Preparing Fabric for Use ………………………………………….. 1 8
6. Check the Grain Line Before You Buy ………………………. 20
7. Returning the Fabric to Grain Perfection …………………… 22
8. Pre-shrinking of Fabrics …………………………………………… 24
9. Wool Fabric Types …………………………………………………… 26
10. Wool Preparation ……………………………………………………. 28
11. Ramie …………………………………………………………………… 30
12. Micro-fibres …………………………………………………………… 33
13. Sewing with Knit Fabric ………………………………………….. 35
14. Interfacings ……………………………………………………………. 37
15. Selecting Interfacing …………………………………………… …… 39
16. Types of Interfacing: Fabric and Stretch ……………………. .41
17. Types of Interfacing: Application ……………………………… .43
18. Jute: The Golden Fibre …………………………………………… .45
19. Twist Balance ………………………………………………………… 47
20. Technologies Used in Textile Designing ……………………. .49
21. Use of computers in Textile Industry ……………………….. 52
22. Various Systems Used in Apparel Industry ………………… 55
23. Textile Terminology (A-H) ………………………………………. 58
24. Textile Terminology (1-Z) ………………………………………… 63
Part II Fashion Designing
1. Fashion ………………………………………………………………….. 70
2. The’ Purpose of Clothing …………………………………………. 72
3. Haute Couture ……………………………………………………….. 74
4. Haute Couture Caters for Exclusive Customers …………. 76
5. Fashion Designers …………………………………………………… 78
6. Natural Fibres ………………………………………………………… 80
7. Man-made Fibres ……………………………………………………. 82
8. Types of Cotton ……………………………………………………… 84
9. Other Types of Fabrics ……………………………………………. :86
10. Cross Stitch ……………………………………………………………. 89
11. Exploring Pattern Possibilities with Cross Stitch …………. 91
12. Pattern Making in Cross Stitch …………………………………. 93
13. Giving New Look to Normal Clothes ……………………….. 95
14. How to Start a Good Pattern ……………………………………. 97
IS. Tips for making a T-shirt …………………………………………. 99
16. Making a Neat and Round Neck …………………………….. 101
17. About Blueprints ………………………………………………….. 103
18. Tips for copying a Design onto Fabric ……………………… 106
19. Choosing Fabric for Plus-sized Designs …………………… 108
20. Types of Fabric for Plus-sized Designs …………………….. 1l0
21. Wide or Narrow Pants …………………………………………… 1l2
22. Gowns …………………………………………………………………. 114
23. Designing the Perfect Gown …………………………………… 116
24. Computers in the Field of Fashion Designing …………… 118