Complex Project Successfully Delivered!
Product supplied:
- 4m x 3m ‘petals’ for the Te Papa Bug Lab Exhibition on tour in the USA
In 2024 Te Papa approached Flagmakers to recreate the worn fabric petals which fit over the wire frames that form an enclosure as part of their internationally recognised Bug Lab Exhibition
This was a challenging project as we did not have the wire frame (armature) to test fit the fabric petals to. The fit is critical as it displays images of bugs over the entire frame which is also backlit.
With our qualified in-house pattern-making fashion expert, Michelle Israelson, we were able to take a pattern off these spare petals and then convert these into a digital format. Our head designer, Marie Bailey, created the digital grid pattern of these very large 4m high petals. Connie Chan and her sewing team were also instrumental in finishing the highly detailed complex petals so the fit was exact.
The second issue was the choice of fabric required to both have the correct stretch to allow for an easy fit yet not too much stretch as to risk the fabric relaxing over time. Plus a fabric that would also allow just enough light to show through to highlight the images. This fabric search and testing took us several months.
Following the production of the petals and shipping to the US we received the following feedback from our very satisfied client, Jake Yokum, Exhibition Organiser:
“In my opinion it’s a great result for a long-distance fabrication with no armature to test fit from you and the Flagmakers team Victor. Also, I think the colour of, and digital printing matching turned out fantastic, when you compare them to the originals standing next to them.
Highly appreciated for all your diligence and manufacturing values applied to this project, to create the final high-end product for our touring exhibition”
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