Naoki Takizawa Design Illustrates Use of Notches

Naoki Takizawa, SS11, “Mode & Science III – Anthoropometria”.

This image shows a garment by the designer Naoki Takizawa that was part of his Spring-Summer 2011 collection. The image provides a great way of seeing how pattern notches are used to join different shapes of fabric together to ensure that the garment puzzle pieces will join together correctly when sewn.

In the case of this image, the notches are seen as small black lines which illustrate where the seams need to meet each other. Notches are not normally seen on the finished garment and for this reason it can sometimes be hard to show examples of notching in contemporary fashion, except in cases such as this image where the process of making the garment becomes a visible and aesthetic part of the design.

As a general description, notches are used as a form of communication between the pattern maker, cutter and sewing machinist and are created by making small indents on the outside edges of patterns, that are then transferred onto the cut fabric pieces of the garment so that they can be sewn together correctly.

The use of notches was examined previously on The Cutting Class in discussion of Alexander Wang’s collection Fundamentals of Pattern Making: Pattern Notches» and a more thorough explanation of the use of notches is provided by following the link.

It is also worth taking a look at the resume of Naoki Takizawa» who is currently the Creative Director of Uniqlo. Aside from launching his own label at New York Fashion Week in 2008, Takizawa has spent time as Creative Director at Issey Miyake and as Creative Director for the Helmut Lang Mens Line and also completed numerous collaborations.

Image from the Naoki Takizawa website»

Further Reading: