SDP in progress... Breathe 2

For the Breathe project, I have been given two designs to interpret and construct. These consist of capes/ jackets over base costumes. The group within Breathe that the designs come from is the "Elders". These are, as the name suggests, characters that have been roaming the land for a long time, as well as the sea. They are wise and their costumes may carry relics from the past? Or things that have attached themselves to the characters/ started to grow on them eg. barnacles and seaweed.
I began by researching various textile techniques.

Images taken from the following sources:

Grey, M. (2003) Raising the surface with machine embroidery. London. Anova Books Company Ltd.

Hedley, G. (2000) Surfaces for stitch: plastics, films & fabric. London. Anova Books Company Ltd.

Holmes, V. (2006) Creative recycling in embroidery. London. Anova Books Company Ltd.

Thittichai, K. (2007) Hot textiles: inspiration and techniques with heat tools. London. Anova Books Company Ltd.

I have also experimented with free-style knotting and nautical knots.

Sourced from:

Owen, P. (2000) Knots: the identifier to over 50 knots in colour. London. Quintet Publishing.

once I had made some samples, I went on to make seaweed out of latex and scrap fabrics. these would be additional elements to bring in more varied textures.

The next step was to find cloak/ cape/ jacket bases for the fringing to be applied to. The fringing needed applying appropriate to the design.- where the design is of a woman, it will now be a man who is reliant on the use of a wheelchair. Therefore there are elements to consider during construction- especially with regards to the fringing as it mustn't get caught in the wheels etc.

The fringing needed applying one piece at a time as it is quite a challenge to sew. A heavy duty needle on an industrial machine is essential.

I have also added bits of net amongst the fringing to break it up a bit and I do not like how overpowering the fringing currently is.

I shall cut away any excessively bold coloured ribbons and trim down the lengths so that they are safe in conjunction with the wheelchair usage.
I think that the fringing would look better still if heatgunned in places to give more of a distressed look and to disguise the ribbons.
I will also add latex seaweed in places to add another textural dimension.