SELVAGE

University of California, Davis, 2020

sel·vage

noun

  1. an edge produced on woven fabric during manufacture that prevents it from unravelling.

It is found lengthwise along the fabric and often has the fabric manufacturer’s name and logo on it. It is usually cut off and discarded.

15%

Approximately 15% of fabric intended for clothing ends up on the cutting room floor. A statistic found and discussed in an academic article in 2005 by Timo Rissanen, a fashion and textiles researcher.

95%

According the Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association, up to 95% of the textiles that are in landfills each year could be recycled.

81.5 LBS

In the United States, 11.3 million tons of textiles waste are generated each year states Earth.org. That is approximately 81.5lbs per person each year.

92 MT

Of the 100 billion garments produced each year, 92 million tonnes end up in landfills, claims Earth.org.

Inspiration:

Quilting: The process of joining a minimum of three layers of fabric together.

Japanese Kimono: Traditionally kimonos are made from entire bolt of fabric - excess fabric would simply be folded, tucked, and held by hand. Once the kimono has been worn out, it would be taken apart and re-woven into new fabric and made into other items.

Using scraps collected over time and muslin that had been used to test various patterns, the fabric was made. The muslin acted as a based for the scraps to be sew onto.

Different colors of thread was used to sew scarps into place and provide a colorful pattern/texture.

Completed Look

  • Front.

  • Detail.

  • Back.

  • Before and After.

Garment being worn: