If you design it yourself, it’s one-of-a-kind

Project Frumway has come and gone, and we didn’t win first prize for clothing design this year. But Shalhevet students are still making their own innovative clothing, and you can too. Take inspiration from styles in stores, or from raw materials just waiting to be transformed into unique clothing. Materials abound everywhere from fabric stores to the back of your closet.

Freshman Bailey Bieda won an honorable mention for her design for Project Frumway.

“I like band T-shirts and anything vintage or old-looking,” said the budding designer, who would like to study art and work or intern in fashion design. “My designs were actually girly, very pretty, and ruffly, which is not something I usually wear.”

Bailey isn’t the only Shalhevet student with the desire to design and create.

 “Sometimes when I go to thrift stores, I find shirts that are too big but I like their design, so I cut it off and sew it onto something else, or I tailor it to fit me,” said junior Rachel Lesel, who came to school the next day in a homemade skirt which was originally a tank top from a thrift store, and who also received an honorable mention.

It doesn’t take professional level skills to create a one-of-a-kind garment, only some fabric and a needle and thread, or a sewing machine if you can get your hands on one. The internet is full of free downloadable patterns and DIY ideas and tips. Check out whatthecraft.com and use the search feature to find exactly what you’re looking for, whether it’s a link to a dress pattern or basic sewing instructions. Start by trying your hand at skirts – they’re quick and easy to make and, of course, perfectly wearable at Shalhevet.

Secondhand stores are great for finding materials and notions from existing clothing at low prices. Fabric from a cheap skirt can become a headscarf, belt, or even a vest. Buttons from an old coat can be reused as charms on a bracelet or added to a safety pin and worn as a brooch.

Craft clothes that you really want to wear, and take risks making complicated pieces because, as I’ve found out through experience, the process is fun even if the end product isn’t what you expected.

For an experimental approach, drape fabric on your body in different ways until you have an idea of the type or style of garment you want to make. (Many designers do this on a mannequin when designing their clothing.) If you have scrap fabric, see if the shape it’s already in can be manipulated into a real garment. I’ve made at least two vests from scrap fabric that looked like vests even before I started working.

If you don’t know how to sew, revamp clothes you already have by cutting creatively or bleaching fabric in a pattern or design. Find your own style and use any special artistic skills you have to make your clothes more unique. Paint with fabric paint for interesting patterns or detail or use knitting or crochet for bohemian styles.

The best part of creating something to wear yourself is having something unique and completely your own.

“When I finished my polka dotted dress, I felt a strong sense of accomplishment,” said junior Tziporah Thompson. “It’s fulfilling to wear something you made with your own hands.” Tziporah made this dress as a summer project with help from her mother, who guided her through the process.

 “When I’d make costumes I did it because I wanted to be unique and have something totally different from other people, and I felt that making something would make me more proud to wear it,” said senior Meirav Cafri. Meirav has made costumes of poison ivy, Jessica Rabbit, and Columbia from The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

No matter what you make, make it your style. Infuse your creations with your own uniqueness, because that’s what makes it fashion design.