Industrial Revolution/ Fashion/ Textiles/ Fashion Studies/History of fashion

Industrial Revolution

Before industrialization of fabric production, its cost was high. And high cost prohibited most people from possessing too many clothes. So, most people had to spin their own yarns, weave and knit their own fabrics and then sew their own clothes in their free time.

Lower classes could not afford to buy fine weaves so were forced to wear homespun clothes.

Industrial Revolution transformed England rapidly. With the inventions in the field of apparel like development of spinning and weaving machines increased the process of garment production. Industrialization led to riots and then certain laws were also passed to stop the implementation of machinery at large scale as this could lead to unemployment.

Contributors to change:-

1. Opening of new markets in Spanish colonies
2. Abundant imports of Indian cotton and
3. Extension of French silk mills

Changes that occured due to Industrialization

1. Manchester transformed itself from a market town to the centre of the cotton industry.
2. Norwich produced wool and coventry silk.
3. Opening world market for England due to fall in prices.

Block/ Pattern Making

Block

Block is also called as a Sloper.

Sloper is a very basic set of pattern pieces that are used to make or develop additional patterns of any styles.

Block refers to paper cutting of basic bodice, basic skirt, basic sleeve or any basic pattern from which other designs can be developed.

Block represents dimensions of a specific form or figure. 

Block has darts to fit the contours of a body, it doesn't have design features, it doesn't have seam allowances. 

Block is the foundation for pattern development.

One needs to choose correct block for design development as it saves time during new design development and also affects the final shape. 

Basic Block can be drafted to fit individual figures by using personal measurements instead of standard measurements.

Important information that is present of a block are:-

1.  Name of the Block eg:- Basic Bodice Block Front, Skirt Front, Basic Block Back etc.

2.  Grainline

3.  Size eg:- 32, 34, 36 or S, M, L

History of fashion- CLASS 12 FASHION STUDIES - INDIAN DRAPED COSTUMES UNIT 1

Indian Costume

Categories of Indian Costumes:-

1. Uttariya or the Upper Garment
2. Antariya or the Lower Garment
3. Kayabandh or Sash
4. Kachcha
5. Ushnisha

Uttariya was made of cotton or silk. It had ornamented borders and fringes. Its drape helped depict the profession of the wearer. Like, in court, it could be draped on one or both the shoulders diagonally across the chest.
or it could be loosely draped across the back with the free ends hanging down both the lower arms or wrapped around the wrist.
Working class wrapped it snugly around the waist, leaving arms for easy movement.

Women wore Uttariya as a head covering hanging straight down the back or secured with a headband. It could be held in place by wearing tight fitted caps under or over it.


Antariya was made of white cotton, linen or muslin. It was worn by both the sexes. Occasionally it was embroidered with precious stones.
Antariya worn by women was initially made of opaque fabric and later it was made of transparent material. A small piece of cloth was fixed to the sash in front which was passed through the legs and was tucked at the center back. It was also worn like a wrap around skirt around the hips.


Kayabandh - or a sash was fastened at the waist and was knotted in front. The method of tying the sash was either simple or elaborate. Common people and peasants wore a short version and the higher class wore a calf length or ankle length garment.

Ushnisha or a turban. It was worn by men. It was worn with the hair and twisted into a top knot and the rest was wound around the head.