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Making clothes from a 3-D printer (Moderated by Deepika)
Posted on: 12/13/15 4:53 AM ET
The link below is to a recent TED Talk about the future of clothing - the wonders of technology! Very interesting talk about the future of fashion. But as I keep telling people when it comes to technology, if the power goes out and the grid goes down, and the "they" don't give you access to your cloud and power, it's going to be the "old fashion way" when it comes to making clothes - if not by sm then by hand.
I enjoyed the talk nevertheless. I think you'll find it interesting too, even if we sewers are going to continue to sew regardless of technology.
3-D Clothing TED Talk
I enjoyed the talk nevertheless. I think you'll find it interesting too, even if we sewers are going to continue to sew regardless of technology.

3-D Clothing TED Talk
Posted on: 12/13/15 7:29 AM ET
I love the concept but just being a marginalized person (disabled native american) I can totally see this, even long term, being more of a privilege thing. Even now, silks and wools are privileges. Some people still spin because they know they couldn't get wool otherwise.
Same with 3d printers. People will still sew cause they cant afford not to.
Only the affluent will really care.
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Same with 3d printers. People will still sew cause they cant afford not to.
Only the affluent will really care.
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Moved to WordPress
https://salvagesewing.wordpress.com
Excited to go to school to get my double degree; Bachelor's in Fashion Design and Business at QUT :D
https://salvagesewing.wordpress.com
Excited to go to school to get my double degree; Bachelor's in Fashion Design and Business at QUT :D
Posted on: 12/14/15 7:03 AM ET
Fantastic video. Thanks for sharing it. I was blown away when I saw a 3D printer several years ago. I had never heard of such a thing. What a surprise to see a spool of black plastic cord turn into components for a homemade ping pong trainer! I never considered that the idea might have roots in forming thread into fabric.
Technology certainly speeds up production time, but design still takes time and thought and intelligence.
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Technology certainly speeds up production time, but design still takes time and thought and intelligence.
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2025 goals:
50 yard dash (1 yard per week)
January: >1 yd self-drafted catheter pants
2025 Contest goals:
February Border Prints: 2 prs pants
April What Was I Thinking stash dive
May Surprise Sprint
June Dynamic Duos
July Embellishments: for heavy wool knit sweater
August Recycling/Upcycling
September Lined Jacket: to replace a fave RTW
November PJs
December Review Past Project: self-drafted projects
50 yard dash (1 yard per week)
January: >1 yd self-drafted catheter pants
2025 Contest goals:
February Border Prints: 2 prs pants
April What Was I Thinking stash dive
May Surprise Sprint
June Dynamic Duos
July Embellishments: for heavy wool knit sweater
August Recycling/Upcycling
September Lined Jacket: to replace a fave RTW
November PJs
December Review Past Project: self-drafted projects
Posted on: 12/14/15 8:51 AM ET
Very interesting video. I think the technology has a way to go yet, tho'. All the "fabrics" look very uncomfortable to me.
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Donna in TC
Posted on: 12/14/15 2:09 PM ET
I've heard about this for quite awhile. Here's a runway show from about 2 years ago! 3D Printing Runway show
Splithoof - I think as with many devices, two things will happen (1) the price will really come down over time so more can afford a printer and (2) there will be entrepreneurs and libraries who printers available for a modest fee once the technology is more established. I already know of some librariries getting them.
I think this technology could serve the "marginalized" , to use your term, as well or better than anyone else. A custom fit and a greater range of styles could be available that might not be otherwise.
Will it become mainstream - I doubt it for a long time.
Besides, was pointed out, when the power goes and you still need clothes, it's back to caveman methodology. :)
Fascinating concept though.
Splithoof - I think as with many devices, two things will happen (1) the price will really come down over time so more can afford a printer and (2) there will be entrepreneurs and libraries who printers available for a modest fee once the technology is more established. I already know of some librariries getting them.
I think this technology could serve the "marginalized" , to use your term, as well or better than anyone else. A custom fit and a greater range of styles could be available that might not be otherwise.
Will it become mainstream - I doubt it for a long time.
Besides, was pointed out, when the power goes and you still need clothes, it's back to caveman methodology. :)
Fascinating concept though.
Posted on: 12/14/15 9:09 PM ET
In reply to Donna Likes Golf
Quote: Donna Likes Golf
....I think the technology has a way to go yet, tho'. All the "fabrics" look very uncomfortable to me.
....I think the technology has a way to go yet, tho'. All the "fabrics" look very uncomfortable to me.
As I, too, was watching the talk, I was thinking the same thing about the wearability. Didn't look too comfortable to me too.
To GwenH: Thanks for the CNN link. Caveman style? You went back further in time than I did!
And speaking of caveman style, it's coal, yes, good old fashion coal, that supplies the energy for the electricity! If that runs out, nothing will work.
Posted on: 12/14/15 9:16 PM ET
In reply to GwenH
While this seems logical - even today people can't afford electricity. Water. It's still a privilege. You still need a house over your head or local access to a library, etc.
Marginalization runs far far deeper than people realize.
Edit: I do speak from partial experience. Because I was born much lighter than my family, there was a big discussion over whether or not to have me documented as a Native or to give me better chance not being documented. I ended up being undocumented. Those that were ended up mostly on reservations, very poor. If you watch Cherokee Word For Water, which is still a movie that skips a lot, you'll see the struggles we have simply getting water.
We hunt because we can't afford to eat and then they take away our hunting licences....
It's a BEAUTIFUL concept, but it requires accessibility some just simply don't have.
Sewing will not die. There will always be a class poor enough to use it as long as capitalism exists.
-- Edited on 12/14/15 at 9:20 PM --
-- Edited on 12/14/15 at 9:23 PM --
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Marginalization runs far far deeper than people realize.
Edit: I do speak from partial experience. Because I was born much lighter than my family, there was a big discussion over whether or not to have me documented as a Native or to give me better chance not being documented. I ended up being undocumented. Those that were ended up mostly on reservations, very poor. If you watch Cherokee Word For Water, which is still a movie that skips a lot, you'll see the struggles we have simply getting water.
We hunt because we can't afford to eat and then they take away our hunting licences....
It's a BEAUTIFUL concept, but it requires accessibility some just simply don't have.
Sewing will not die. There will always be a class poor enough to use it as long as capitalism exists.
-- Edited on 12/14/15 at 9:20 PM --
-- Edited on 12/14/15 at 9:23 PM --
------
Moved to WordPress
https://salvagesewing.wordpress.com
Excited to go to school to get my double degree; Bachelor's in Fashion Design and Business at QUT :D
https://salvagesewing.wordpress.com
Excited to go to school to get my double degree; Bachelor's in Fashion Design and Business at QUT :D
Posted on: 12/14/15 9:17 PM ET
I love the idea of disabled being able to produce custom clothes for their bodies. I would like to see a government initiative for this.
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Moved to WordPress
https://salvagesewing.wordpress.com
Excited to go to school to get my double degree; Bachelor's in Fashion Design and Business at QUT :D
https://salvagesewing.wordpress.com
Excited to go to school to get my double degree; Bachelor's in Fashion Design and Business at QUT :D
Posted on: 12/19/15 4:10 AM ET
In reply to Splithoof
Splithoof, I am thinking you should send look up Anouk Wipprecht & consider discussing this. She's very dedicated, but quite down to earth sci fi fan whose hard work has been turning a lot of heads. Really something of a surprise to her she is in fashion at all.
Tis not difficult or unthinkable that life on the fringe of postmodern production should give you a unique gift in perspective & input!
That what holds us down, may also be what we pull ourselves up by...
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Tis not difficult or unthinkable that life on the fringe of postmodern production should give you a unique gift in perspective & input!
That what holds us down, may also be what we pull ourselves up by...
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Pfaffbulous, dahling.
Posted on: 1/10/16 4:02 PM ET
I find mass produced clothing a bargain. I don't make things for myself to save money, because the cost of good fabric is more than half-decent clothing I get at the discount places or scrounging for things on sale.
Although this is an interesting idea, i suspect that plastic clothing will have limited appeal, both economically (3 D printers will come down in price, but not so much everyone has one) and as far as comfort goes. As far as I can tell, the pieces still have to be assembled, so John or Jane Doe with the printer will still need to know how to sew the pieces together.
Another thing to consider is what looks good on the computer screen may not look so good on the actual body of the wearer. I've had to drastically modify projects mid-stream because what looked marvelous on the pattern envelope looked pretty dreadful on me. Maybe that's another reason I still buy most of my clothes.
-- Edited on 1/10/16 at 4:06 PM --
Although this is an interesting idea, i suspect that plastic clothing will have limited appeal, both economically (3 D printers will come down in price, but not so much everyone has one) and as far as comfort goes. As far as I can tell, the pieces still have to be assembled, so John or Jane Doe with the printer will still need to know how to sew the pieces together.
Another thing to consider is what looks good on the computer screen may not look so good on the actual body of the wearer. I've had to drastically modify projects mid-stream because what looked marvelous on the pattern envelope looked pretty dreadful on me. Maybe that's another reason I still buy most of my clothes.
-- Edited on 1/10/16 at 4:06 PM --
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