Design Challenge Two: Jessica Pollak

Sewing Machine, Colorway One/Fat Quarter

Sewing Machine, Colorway Two/Single Repeat

Sewing Machine, Colorway Three/Single Repeat

For this months challenge I wanted to pay tribute to one of the most important inventions made during the Industrial Revolution.  At first, I thought about the typewriter and phonograph.  They were both monumental inventions, but over time they have been replaced. Now we use computer keyboards to type emails and speakers to play music. However, sewing machines serve the same purpose as when they were invented! Sewing machines are still in our homes so we can sew clothing, quilts and curtains.  Factories still use sewing machines to construct goods out of fabric. The sewing machine is timeless!

As I looked at photos of old Singers (which were first manufactured in the 1850’s) I fell in love with the intricate gold designs painted on them and their classic aesthetic.  I wanted to include them in my pattern, as well as other tools still used in sewing.  Even though I was focusing on how little sewing tools have changed, I wanted to convey the spirit of the Industrial Revolution by also including energetic line work and texture in the background. Hopefully you can tell how much I enjoyed coming up with the colorways, thats always my favorite part! Overall this was a great theme for the second challenge. One that could be interpreted in a lot of different ways! I can’t wait to see what all the other designers come up with and I’m crossing my fingers that I’ll make it to the next round!