This semester was about trial and error. I experimented and failed throughout the semester yet I learned what worked and what didn’t work for my final project. One of the failures I encountered was the 3D printing technique. After I discovered that the 8×8 size scale the engineer department worked with was too small for my project, I decided to look for other 3D printing facilities. Through this process I realized that the scale I wished to work with was going to be expensive. Not to mention the outcome of the 3D printed garment was going to be really stiff which is the exact opposite of what salsa dance costumes require. After I gathered all this information, I decided to take my classmate’s advice and incorporate LED lights yet keeping the technology idea.
Even with this new technique I still encountered challenges. I researched several different types of lights yet I could not find the right one. I went to Home Depot and specifically asked for the LED wearable lily pads but they had no idea what I was asking for. Instead, I experimented with the regular christmas lights and sewed it onto a handmade bow. However, I was not completely satisfied with the outcome. The lights were too big and didn’t look presentable, not to mention the big battery that came with it. I finally ordered the LED lily pads on Amazon. I got 10 lights for $15.99 I knew I was going to need more so I began searching online for cheaper prices. I found a website called SparkFun Electronics where they have various wearable led light products. My next challenge was placing them on the garment. The battery cell was too big and too obvious to place it onto the garment without any embellishment. I tried placing applique to make it unnoticeable but we will see how it turns out.
This semester I think I spent too much time trying to get all the materials I needed instead of making the costume. Next semester I will definitely be spending more time making the costumes since I have most of the materials I need. I will spend about 2 weeks designing the collection which will consist of 3 salsa costumes. I believe that I will be working a lot faster with all the experience I gained throughout this semester from working with Lycra to attaching the LED lights. As for the format I’m still quite unsure how to present my project but I will probably use a blog or maybe make a catalog.
Diana Ponce 