Skip to main content
Kent State University Home

Open Access Kent State (OAKS)

  • About
    • About
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Rights and Reuse
  • Browse
    • Authors
    • Collections
    • Communities
    • Subjects
  • Login

Minimal Waste Athletic Wear

  1. Open Access Kent State
  2. Conferences & Events
  3. Undergraduate Research Symposium
  4. 2017 - Kent State University Undergraduate Symposium on Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity
  5. Art/Fashion
  6. Minimal Waste Athletic Wear
File
Author(s)
  • Morgan Manuel
Abstract

The fashion industry has long since been guilty of having a negative impact on the environment. One such issue is the generation of textile waste during production. In traditional pattern making and fabric cutting approach up to 15 percent of fabric is wasted, which if not recycled ends up in landfills. Zero-waste cutting is a concept that allows fashion corporations to focus on sustainability as a design approach whereby no fabric is wasted during production. Minimal cut, tessellation and jigsaw cutting are some techniques to achieve zero-waste. My challenge was to design an active athletic apparel, suitable for running, but utilizing zero-waste methods. By using jigsaw cutting less than two percent fabric purchased was wasted. The result was a three-piece athletic outfit comprising of a t-shirt, sports bra, and leggings. Combining functionality with visual appeal, I designed an orchid motif which I laser-cut into the razorback of the sports bra to add breathability. The same motif was also printed on the front of the t-shirt and the side of the leggings. Side pockets on the sports bra was designed to hold keys or identification and a large, zippered pocket on the back of the leggings to hold a phone or a snack while running. This project is unique and much research is done combining zero-waste cutting with active sportswear. As a runner myself, making something that was practical for a runner was important to me and as a designer I wanted to combine aesthetic appeal with functionality and sustainability.

Format
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
2017-03-21
Contributor(s)
Faculty Mentor
Ms. Archana Mehta
Subject
  • Fashion Design
Modified Abstract

The fashion industry has long since been guilty of having a negative impact on the environment. One such issue is the generation of textile waste during production. In traditional pattern making and fabric cutting approach up to 15 percent of fabric is wasted, which if not recycled ends up in landfills. Zero-waste cutting is a design approach focused on sustainability where no fabric is wasted during production. My challenge was to design a wearable and practical athletic apparel, suitable for running, but utilizing zero-waste methods. The result was a three-piece athletic outfit comprising of a t-shirt, sports bra, and leggings combining aesthetic appeal, functionality, and sustainability. This project is unique and much research is done combining zero-waste cutting with active sportswear.

Comments

-Full size mannequin to present garment in person

Download full text 1.23MB
  • Biographical Sketch-Morgan Manuel .docx
  • Display
  • Facebook
  • Linkedin
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Email
Open Access Kent State
University Libraries

Street Address

1125 Risman Dr.
Kent, OH 44242

Mailing Address

P.O. Box 5190
Kent, OH 44242-0001

Contact Us

  • oaks [at] kent [dot] edu

Quick Links

  • About
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Rights and Reuse

Information

  • Accessibility
  • Annual Security Reports
  • Emergency Information
  • For Our Alumni
  • For the Media
  • Health Services
  • Jobs & Employment
  • May 4th, 50th Commemoration
  • Privacy Statement
  • Website Feedback
Kent State University Home
© 2021 Kent State University All rights reserved.