I borrowed two mannequins to display the children’s clothing I made because I misunderstood the brief.
Since there weren’t enough mannequins, I displayed the rest of the clothes on children-sized hangers.
Since part of my presentation included children’s clothes and children-sized mannequins, I decided that it would be nice to package the rest of my weekly samples into a picnic theme (picnic for children!). I reused containers I had to be sustainable (and save some money). I had the metal biscuit tin, cracker box, sandwich bags, tissue box (it’s not tissue inside but rather all my transfer prints, you can pull them out to see like how you would with tissue), cups.
I decided on the theme Birds in NTU. I wanted to raise awareness of the many different kinds of birds residing or visiting NTU that are commonly overlooked (since we are always rushing or heads down into our phones). These photos are all taken by me and the drawing is by me too. I want to draw your attention to how colourful the birds are, as well as the way their feathers are layered in my mood board.
SAMPLES
Specimen 1 : Thermoplastics
Method: I wrapped plastic spoons I collected from hawker stalls inside the 100% polyester fabric, I used threads to hold them in place. I wrapped aluminium foil around it and placed it in a boiling pot of water for 1 hour. I took them out of the aluminium foil and cut the threads to take out the spoons. I repeated the steps 3 times (2 – 3 – 2 “feathers” each time). After all the organza has dried, I hand sewed the 3 layers together. I learnt from my experience making the brooch in my samples that if I used a sewing machine to attach them together, the puffed look will flatten out, hence I had to hand sew.
This is to mimic the layers of iridescent feathers on the neck of the Olive Backed Sunbird.
Specimen 2: Plastic Fusing
Method: I cut up raffia strings into the same length and unraveled them. I overlapped them slightly at the edges so that they will fuse to become one piece when heat is applied. I placed a layer of baking paper over and put a hot iron over it. I can’t remember how long I put the heat for but it was long enough such that the piece fused, shrank and became matte (somehow it lost its shininess in the process).
This is to mimic the Pink-Necked Green Pigeon’s green body feathers.
Specimen 3: Threads
Method: Cut two small pieces of water soluble fabric. Cut threads of desired colour to equal lengths. Place the threads on top of a piece of water soluble fabric. Ensure that they are side by side and don’t overlap each other. Place the second piece of water soluble fabric on top. Secure both ends using a pin. Run the sewing machine back and forth down the center. Ensure all threads are secured. Dip the water soluble fabric into water till it dissolves. Place it on a piece of baking paper. Use the handle end of a spoon to comb it into shape. Leave it to dry. Peel it off carefully when dry.
This is to mimic an individual feather.
Specimen 4: Paper Manipulation
Method: Fold paper continuously. Also I purposely bought black paper that has nice texture lines to mimic the lines of the feather even further (it’s not particularly obvious here though).
This is to mimic an abstract/simplified form of the Great Cormorant feather.
APPLICATIONS
Application: Make a dress out of it.
Application: Make a curtain out of it or just use the patterns and print it onto cloth to make into curtains.
Application: Headdress for the royal wedding, or any event.
Application: Decorative rim for mirrors.
Method of presentation
I wanted to present them in a museum way, much like William Farquhar’s botanical drawings collection in National Gallery of Singapore or an exhibition in Natural Museum. The samples are held in place using metal pins. The labels are placed at the bottom underneath.
I printed photos of the sample applications on the Polaroids to mimic photographs in the past, to be in line with the whole theme of how it was like in history.
FINAL OUTCOME
To wash and sculpt 10 pieces of “feathers” takes me an hour. I use the handle end of a spoon to comb it into shape.
Pinning down all the “feathers” I’ve chosen to use into their place on the stretchy cloth mesh. It is designed to be asymmetrical. One side starts from in front of the left ear and covers it; and the other side ends behind the ear.
I tried wearing it and decided that I should sew on a hairband underneath it so it can be securely slid onto the head without fear of dropping off.
I’ve sewn on two hairbands. One long one in the center and a short one at the green “feathers” area since I realized that the feather was popping out as there was nothing holding it down onto the hair. After finishing that, I cut out the stretchy mesh cloth that can be seen.
Final setup
Final Project: Birds in NTU inspired
I borrowed two mannequins to display the children’s clothing I made because I misunderstood the brief. 
Since there weren’t enough mannequins, I displayed the rest of the clothes on children-sized hangers.
Since part of my presentation included children’s clothes and children-sized mannequins, I decided that it would be nice to package the rest of my weekly samples into a picnic theme (picnic for children!). I reused containers I had to be sustainable (and save some money). I had the metal biscuit tin, cracker box, sandwich bags, tissue box (it’s not tissue inside but rather all my transfer prints, you can pull them out to see like how you would with tissue), cups.
