Apparel, textiles and design faculty are participating in Design Days this year. Come and explore our discipline through hands-on projects conducted in our studios. This is a great opportunity to experience our program, learn about campus life at the U of I and get to know our faculty.

Friday, June 28

Mood Board Workshop — Lori Wahl
Morning
Niccolls Building, room 204

• As a creative tool, designers from architects and graphic designers, to apparel designers and filmmakers will first produce mood boards in order to explore a particular theme, look and feel before proceeding with subsequent designs. In this workshop, aspiring designers will produce a collage of images, color, textures and found objects to explore visual concepts and story ideas that will provide direction for projects in subsequent workshops.

Distressing and Discharge — Sonya Meyer. Lori Wahl and Chelsey Lewallen
Afternoon
Niccolls Building, room 303

• Changing the color and texture of fabrics has been practiced throughout history. Using various distressing and dye discharge techniques, participants will alter the appearance of denim into a unique surface design.

Saturday, June 29

Stitching — Sonya Meyer
Morning
Niccolls Building, room 303

• Stitching with a needle and thread is an ancient process that transcends time. This workshop elevates the humble needle and thread to a decorative tool as participants learn about kantha and sashiko stitching and visible mending strategies.

Product Construction — Chelsey Lewallen
Afternoon
Niccolls Building, room 303

• Sewing fabric together to create garments is the foundation of the apparel industry. Learn to operate our industrial sewing machines and construct a three-dimensional product using only straight seams. No prior sewing experience required.