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Date of Graduation

5-2027

Description

Applied Textile Innovation in Sustainable Design:Evaluating Soy-Based Materials and Embroidery Techniques for Circular Apparel Applications  AbstractThe global apparel industry is recognized as one of the most environmentally intensive manufacturing sectors, driven by high resource consumption, chemically intensive processing, and linear production systems that generate significant textile waste. In response to these challenges, sustainable fashion research increasingly emphasizes the exploration of bio-based materials and circular design strategies that reduce environmental impact while maintaining functional and aesthetic value. This applied design research project investigates the potential of soy-based textiles combined with embroidery and applique techniques as sustainable strategies for circular apparel applications.Grounded in sustainability and circular fashion scholarship, the project draws on historical and contemporary precedents that highlight the use of plant-derived fibers and craft-based techniques as durable and functional components of textile production. Soy-based textiles, derived from agricultural byproducts of soybean processing, present an opportunity to support waste reduction and renewable material systems while remaining adaptable to experimental apparel design. This study specifically examines how soy-based materials perform in surface design and construction when paired with traditional textile techniques such as resist dyeing and embroidery.The project was conducted as a hands-on experimental design process resulting in a panelized vest prototype. All soy-based materials—including soy leather, soy silk, soy wax, and soy milk—were provided by the United Soybean Board. The garment was intentionally designed using modular panels to align with circular design principles, allowing components to be disassembled, repaired, or repurposed into alternative products. Surface design experimentation involved wax resist techniques, bleaching, and repeated applications of soy milk and organic pigments to evaluate pigment adhesion, material flexibility, and visual depth. Hand embroidery using walking and cross-stitch techniques was applied to reinforce stress-prone areas while introducing plant-inspired motifs that emphasized visible craftsmanship. Final construction incorporated limited machine stitching to balance handcraft with scalability considerations.Results from the design process indicate that soy-based materials are well suited to experimental apparel applications. Soy milk treatments functioned effectively as both a mordant and softening agent, improving pigment adherence while maintaining flexibility. Repeated pigment applications enhanced visual richness, though minor reductions in uniformity highlighted tradeoffs between consistency and aesthetic complexity. Embroidery significantly reinforced areas of mechanical stress, supporting research that positions surface reinforcement as a strategy for extending garment lifespan. Panelized construction proved effective in supporting modularity and circularity without compromising material integrity.This project demonstrates that combining bio-derived soy-based materials with embroidery and applique techniques can enhance both durability and aesthetic engagement within circular apparel design. By framing surface design as a functional sustainability strategy rather than a purely decorative element, the study contributes to applied textile research and sustainable design pedagogy. While limited in scale, the findings suggest opportunities for further research through wear testing, lifecycle assessment, and comparative analysis across additional bio-based fibers to evaluate long-term performance and scalability.

Publication Date

2026

Document Type

Book

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Human Environmental Science

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Advisor/Mentor

Cheramie, Lance

Disciplines

Business | Environmental Studies

Keywords

Art and Design

Applied Textile Innovation in Sustainable Design: Evaluating Soy-Based Materials and Embroidery Techniques for Circular Apparel Applications

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