My major textiles project is a golden yellow dress with a short underskirt that has a floor length detachable skirt. The design is very balanced with the overall shape of the dress being feminine as it follows the shape of the body. The bodice is corset style with cups that have small yellow free motioned flowers and pearls. The bodice and underskirt fabric has a smooth glossy surface contrasting with the low lustre organza. There are long puffy sleeves made from yellow silk organza with a cuff at the bottom. The large ruffles are on the shoulder of each sleeve made from the organza to add volume and rhythm to the design. On the lower section of the sleeve there are white free motioned embroidered flowers and leaves with white free motioned bees and pearls scattered amongst the embroidery with lengths of white insertion lace spaced evenly The golden yellow colour contrasts nicely with the white details. The silk organza over skirt has the same components of the sleeve and allows for a wide range of movement. All the embroidery and pearls add texture to the design, whilst the lace insertion trims create line and direction drawing the viewer’s eye to the focal elements. The zip on the bodice provides ease of wearing and the darts and gathering allow for added shape and structure. My main motivation for my major was to make people aware of the demise of the bees. I come from a farming family and without bees, nothing in nature would be able to survive. Without bees my farm would not be able to work properly, demonstrating the importance of bees to the survival of society. I was able to achieve this awareness by my project having bees as the main concept behind the whole design which is seen through the embroidery of bees, pearls as a symbol for pollen and the golden yellow colour representing honey and the colour of bees. Overall the whole experience of creating this major project has been significantly valuable and enjoyable as I got a lot out it. I valued the opportunity to do textiles as a subject as it taught me skills that are not in other subjects. I will be able to take these skills learnt and apply them to my future career and life ahead. I thoroughly enjoyed the design process and seeing my idea come to life whilst creating my project. The most challenging aspect for me was time management and being able to believe in myself that I had the ability to get it done which I did! This whole experience made me realise that I am capable of anything I can put my mind to. Textiles allowed me to have a creative platform to voice my concerns of the bee’s demise and I am forever grateful for the life lessons I learnt along the way.
