Patches and potential

Patches and potential

By Sylvie Lefebvre

This dress exemplifies the merits of mending over purchasing. I chose to use patchwork as a means of decoration as well as repair. This is to demonstrate how clothing can be revived and made more unique in the process. I was inspired by the patches and prints used in the servants tunic and strived to create the same look in my piece. 

Close-up of mannequin with cross pieces on bodice and skirt showing Indian inspired print

This cotton Regency-inspired dress interweaves the story of India and Britain's relationship during the Regency era and that of sustainable fashion. Indian cotton muslin ushered in a dramatic change to fashion. Cotton was worn by people of every socio-economic class and the printed patterns were highly reminiscent of those from India. The design that we know as Paisley became one of the most prominent motifs. Whilst given the name of the city in which so much British cotton was produced, the actual design was re-appropriated from historic Indian patterns and surface designs. 

The tunic garment that inspired my piece has been mended by using different printed cottons to patch holes. The wearer could continue to work in the garment instead of purchasing a new one. I used the traditional method of English Paper Piecing to create a visual that was similar to the tunic, while combining traditional Indian block prints.

When mending an object there are many different techniques to choose from. I chose a very decorative technique to show the merits of mending in lieu of buying new. Just because something has flaws does not mean we should throw it away. We live in a society that prioritizes quantity over quality and buying new, rather than wearing something twice. This throw-away mindset is new to our generation; society has never been so wasteful and products are made poorly just so that we purchase more.  

Patchwork has for centuries been a method of economy. It uses fragments of various fabrics to create something new. This could be pieces of old dresses or scraps left over from the construction of a new garment and everything in between.