Overstitching as an Approach to Thread Art and Fashion

Abstract

Fashion generates codes for interpreting individual identity. Among fashion designers, identity is mainly developed in two different contexts: commercial and artistic. Commercial fashion designers are particularly focused on developing designs using fabric and style lines, whereas fashion designers whose primary goal is innovation are keen on developing designs by means of a peculiar manner of presentation or a new conception of fabric. This study documents a personal experimentation with new concepts for fabric construction. Acknowledging that fabric is a crucial element for fashion, this researcher set about investigating the potential use of sewing thread for creating fabric. The aims of this research are 1) to analyze possible techniques for generating unique forms of fabric and 2) to create new fabrics useful both for fashion and decorative art. The study demonstrates the possibility of approaching artistic fashion by manipulating overstitching. This study provides a new dimension whereby fabric can be generated from overstitched threads using a variety of techniques; non-woven, patterned non-woven, interweaving, knitting, and embroidering.