Crafting

The final concept is further refined against various criteria like the use of material and manufacturing limitations. Depending on the user profile, the designer at this stage creates several style options and zeroes in on the one that addresses the aesthetics concerns in the best manner. The final product design is showcased by creating small-scale mock-up models, CAD models, or working prototypes. The final product which meets the product brief conditions is then taken up for mass production.

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With some verbal feedback from potential users (shown in the last video on the connection page), we decided to remove the conception prototype involving a pant-like design.

Taking the final concept ahead, we created two similar prototypes. One on our own with the help of our mothers as we could not find a tailor who was willing to do the job at a reasonable price. We tried & failed at making the other prototype hence we found a tailor for the task. We made the prototypes out of old sarees at home.

• We first draped the saree on ourselves to figure out exactly which part needed to be stitched and how much cloth needed to be left for wrapping around and draping the pallu.
• We then removed the saree and carefully stitched the plates in front.
• We then attached it to a petticoat and stitched it together on one side.
• Then we looped it in and added a drawstring so that it can be tied on the side.

Here are the pictures showing  step by step design & working of our saree from prototype 1:

   

Prototype 2 was carried out as it is from the conception stage due to highly positive feedback, hence we won't repeat the video content here.

In the final design, we decided not to stitch the pallu as it restricts variety in the use of our product. We noticed that different people have different traditional styles to wear a pallu, so leaving the pallu unstitched would ensure that women could wear the saree however they want. Here are some pictures of our grandmothers wearing our prototype(s) in different styles.

One of the final touches that we wished to add to the design were pockets. Although they aren't a need for the elderly women out of habit & weren't relevant to our prototype testing, we believe it'll be an essential feature if the product were to hit the market.