Breaking the rules in pattern cutting: An interdisciplinary approach to promote creativity in pedagogy. Issue 1 (1st April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Almond, Kevin; Power, Jess
• Is Part Of: Art, design & communication in higher education. Volume 17:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 33
• Page End: 50
• Publication Date: 2018-04-01
• Subjects: Art -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- Periodicals; Design -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- Periodicals; Creative teaching -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 707.11
• DOI: 10.1386/adch.17.1.33_1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1474-273X

Abstract

The aim of this research is to explore how the discipline of pattern cutting can be taught, investigated and practiced through innovative, interdisciplinary approaches. Interdisciplinarity involves the combining of two or more academic disciplines into one activity (for instance in this enquiry, pattern cutting is merged with disciplines such as health and engineering). The study discusses how interdiscipinarity can break rules, which involve going against a set of regulations that direct a practice or method within an area of activity. This mutinous concept can make pattern cutting appear more exciting and creative to the student and often leads to them exploring different concepts and approaches. The research was based on secondary sources gathered from a review of research papers presented at The Second International Conference for Creative Pattern Cutting, held at University of Huddersfield, 24 and 25 February 2016. This conference was purposively selected due to its discipline relevance and international representation and was unique to the authors because they organized and chaired the event. To date, this has been the sole global platform to disseminate research in pattern cutting and the approach is described as a methodology of conference organization, using content analysis and interviews with the individual authors of selected papers. It focuses on works that considered new ways to pattern cut by effectively implementing interdisciplinary activity into its practice. The findings discuss how the disorderly methods impacted on the student's experiences. Ultimately this supports the development of original, novel and innovative pedagogical approaches to pattern cutting practice and has the potential to enrich the fashion industry, encouraging pattern cutters to develop essential skills to cross discipline boundaries.