Table of Contents
Directory 1 : Personal Project Report.................. 3
1. Investigating................................................... 3
2. Planning........................................................... 5
3. Taking action.................................................... 7
4. Reflecting........................................................... 8
Bibliography......................................................... 10
Appendix............................................................... 11
Appendix 1............................................................ 11
Appendix 2............................................................ 14
Directory 2 : Process Journals.............................. 19
Journal 1 : First questions for investigating........ 19
Journal 2 : Pictures of Quju................................. 20
Journal 3 : Brain storming ideas.......................... 21
Journal 4 : The GRASPS........................................21
Journal 5: Sources for the personal project......... 22
Journal 6 : OPVL................................................... 26
Journal 7 : Criteria template version 1................. 28
Journal 8 : Criteria Template................................ 29
Journal 9 : Me doing the project........................... 31
Journal 10 : ATL Reflection.................................. 33
Timeline................................................................. 34
Product Display..................................................... 35
Directory
1 : Personal Project Report
1.Investigating
The goal of my personal project was to create an ancient Chinese garment called Quju or in other words Hanfu in order to introduce to my school and perhaps to a wider audience, an aspect of traditional Chinese culture. I wanted some how to become a delegate of ancient Chinese civilization in a multiracial environment like that of the International School of Athens. I also wanted, through this personal project,to convey to the public my love for this purely Asian dress which formed the basis for the Japanese kimono and the Korean Hanbok.
I knew from the start that this project would require highly challenging work for me. Obviously, to achieve this, I would have to do meticulous work that would take about two months to complete.I should first find a relative pattern, buy the appropriate fabric as well as all the required material, then cut the fabric on the pattern and finally proceed to sew the parts made to arrive at the final product. I understood then that it would be a difficult job considering the fact that I did not have much experience in sewing before this project.
I chose this project because I really like the elegant demeanor of people’s Wide robe sleeves and Feather fan and silkker chief in ancient times. In Chinese classical literature, the elegant generals wearing Hanfu maintain a kind of calm style against powerful enemies;get the victory of the war with confidence. Therefore, wearing a Hanfu and make a Hanfu let me experience the pride and style of ancient heroes. The global context that could better express and present my project is that of personal and cultural expression and especially the part that refers to ways to express culture, beliefs and values. What I wanted to do through my project was, first,to introduce the students of my school and perhaps other people who could see my final work in traditional Chinese costumes and via that to culture, beliefs and values that this clothing tradition presents. My final goal was to create a garment that hides a whole story, the aesthetics of a people and through it their conception of the world. I was hoping that when the students in my school see the final outcome of my project, they would appreciate and admire traditional Chinese clothes and maybe love Chinese culture a little more and try to understand it. At the same time, I myself got the opportunity to also express my personal point of view of the culture of my country.
When I started my personal project, I knew the form of Qu ju but not the tradition behind this habit. In general, my knowledge of traditional Chinese costumes was limited to the general knowledge that Westerners have on this subject. However, three years before during a long stay in my native country, I followed courses to learn how to make clothes for dolls. During this month-long internship, I saw a Hanfu coat up close for the first time and I was amazed. The shape of the coat, the material and colors used,the flexibility and the lines of the silk developed throughout the coat impressed me. From that moment, I said to myself that one day, I could try to make a garment like this and I started looking for information on the Internet to learn more details concerning the story hidden behind this garment as well as the role it played in the lives of Chinese people in the past. What I have found is that even modern Chinese people show great respect for this habit and there is a whole ritual for the creation and the way of wearing a Quju. On Internet I had the chance to find patterns of Quju (appendix 1). From that moment art and mathematics, drawing techniques in art, and measuring scale in mathematics have all helped me a lot. And I used to take the course of three-dimensional costume making when I was studying in a middle school in China. At that time, I made Quju for wooden dolls. This experience made me more experienced and confident in making a real-life scale version of Quju.
New understanding gained from my research.In the design of the drawings, I better understand how the elegant style of Hanfu is realized; during the production process, I really felt how much hard work it takes to achieve a goal.
The main sources I have used come from sites and videos found online as well as from a book also found in the World Wide Web. However, I had trouble finding sites rich in information in English.
This is why, at the beginning of my research I consulted articles in Chinese to get an idea of what exactly Quju is and how to create it, but as long as I could not use them in my project as a reliable resource (given the language) I continued research on the network. I still had trouble finding pictures of Quju since this costume is part of Hanfu but there are several models of Hanfu. Another difficulty I had in my research was finding a video that could help me sew and make the costume.
2. Planning
In carrying out my personal project, I designed and developed the criteria (appendix 2) to be used to evaluate myfinal product and to make my work as challenging as possible.
After thinking a lot about what I wanted to focus on, I selected the criteria below: aesthetics, audience, materials,function, cost and impact.
First, I chose the aesthetics criterion because I thought that I had to concretize before starting to make my project the quality of the final product as well asproviding accessories that could accompany it. This criterion is of major importance as long as my primary goal is to create a product as original as possible to be able through it to promote a part of Chinese clothing culture. So I wanted to put the goal of creating an aesthetic costume like these photos found on the Internet and perfect in terms of cutting and sewing in order to be identical to the ancient traditional Chinese clothing.
The second criterion that I wanted to include concerns the audience for my final project. Although my costume is rather designed to be presented as part of the school and to be appreciated by classmates, students and teachers of the school, in my strong interior, I also had the will to find the opportunity to present it to a wider audience, perhaps parents of students or visitors who might admire it during a school activity or celebration. The final product will then generally be made to be presented, but it could also be worn by a member of the school community, which led me to make the decision to create it at a size that will be within the reach of a large number of people. The material also was an important criterion for me. Before starting to create my personal project, I would have to decide on the quality of the fabric chosen to use. The material used should be made from a long fabric of excellent quality and based on a pattern on which I could cut the costume.
Another criterion that I used was that of function. I thought about including this criterion since it is in line with my ultimate intention and my initial motivation, namely to present an ancient traditional Chinese costume and via it elements of Chinese culture. However I also had to think about the ease or not of wearing it and that should also be part of my goal.
The cost of this creation was also an element to be counted. To create a high-quality costume, you would first need to purchase high-quality fabric that is always in keeping with Chinese style and trends. In terms of time, I would have to work on consecutive days so as not to lose the thread of my work and of course finish the manufacturing of the costume in time.
The last criterion I chose was the impact that my final product could have on my audience. This criterion was very important to me.
What made my criteria challenging was first the size of the costume because I had to make a real Hanfu and not a garment for a doll, a child's toy. In addition, I had minimal knowledge of sewing so I had to search for videos that could help me move forward with my project.
Regarding the process to follow, I first wrote on a sheet of paper brainstorming ideas related to the subject who could help me to concretize and systematize my ideas. Subsequently, during the same week I defined my goal, and completed the GRASPS. At the same time I started doing a more systematic search on the internet to find sites that could help me with my work. Thirdly, I thought about the criteria I would designate to reach my goal. I did two drafts to the point of deciding which one would best meet my requirements.
During the months of December and especially the two weeks of vacation, I spent on achieving my outcome, that is to say sewing. I chose this period to do it to be completely devoted to it, not to interrupt the procedure and finish it on the time line that I had noted myself. Of course, there was preliminary work. First, buy the right fabric(within my budget), secondly, by washing and drying it (avoid shrinking due to special fabric) after by drawing a design of the clothes on the cloth and cutting it, by locking the trimmed semi-finished products (to prevent cracking)and finally by sewing two pieces of semi-finished product together into one garment. When the final product was finished, I started reporting. In general,I respected most of the deadlines. I have included a step by step process in the appendix 3.
It is certain that I had some obstacles to overcome to make my personal project. The most essential for me was the creation of the costume given the lack of experience in the sewing field. When I was in the fourth step, I also quickly realized that locking the trimmed semi-finished products is really simple but needs to do a lot work and I wasn’t sure that I could finish it on time.
I managed to overcome this obstacle by demonstrating patience, consistency and discipline in me while sewing but also by trying to respect my personal deadlines. My parents also encouraged me a lot while my sister helped me measure the size of the suit.
Another problem I had was that because of the school work, I couldn't concentrate on sewing the costume. When I started making it in November, I interrupted my work several times to study and after that I could not easily resume. So, I decided to do the rest of the work during the Christmas holidays.
3. Taking action
My product is a cyan Quju, which is a bitasymmetrical on the left and right sides, and there are two lotuses on the matching waist band. I choose to do it in a cyan color because in China, parents are complete, and those with incomplete grandparents wear cyan.
I believe that my final product more or less meets the criteria. I would like from an aesthetic point of view to had a more elegant image (for example more color and accessories) but I did not have much time to put more effort into it.
Because it is Chinese Hanfu, it can reflect the cultural background of China, so it can meet the standards of Personal and cultural expression. When my teachers and the students of my school see my final project followed by a board which would contain information on the history of Quju, and the photo of my sister who wears the costume, they will certainly admire this aspect of traditional culture Chinese and maybe will realize that it was hard work to be done by a 15 year old student. It is true that the realization of this costume required design skills and hands-on production skills. I love Hanfu very much, and I hope more people can understand it and love it through my final outcome. That's why I chose to do this personal project. I would like to learn more about Chinese culture with Hanfu and spread our traditional culture to more people.
Through out my personal project, I had the chance to collaborate with different people. First of all, in the design stage,I searched for relevant Hanfu design drawings and learn from others' design ideas. During the planning process, I communicated with the instructor at any time and received guidance and help from the teacher. During the production process, my relatives and friends helped me to complete some of the work. This kind of team work helped me a lot in completing this project.
In the process of design and production, I replaced the traditional embroidery process by hand drawing. It does not only takes less time, but also feels smooth.
4. Reflecting
In my opinion, my product meets my criteria in practicality and reluctantly meets my criteria in aesthetics.Because of lack of experience and time, I perhaps didn’t meet the highest level in all of that but in general I met thecriteria I had planned.
The process of this Personal Project will be very helpful for my future scientific research reports and academic training. But I think that more than that, through my personal project, I understood that I can do difficult things; I can be creative, methodical and have very good self-management skills if I have a good plan.
Through the production of this project, I need to extensively collect materials about Hanfu production, but also to compare and filter out a better choice, and to design and improve. And then I have to make it by myself, so the understanding of Hanfu has been unprecedentedly improved in breadth and depth.
Regarding the IB learner profile attributes I believe that I developed those communicators, open-minded,knowledgeable, balanced, reflective, thinkers and inquirers. For examples,through my project I communicate with my supervisor and my family. Finished the Personal Project learning more things about Chinese traditional clothes culture makes me more open-minded. And because of the Personal Project, I can use the internet or books to search information about Hanfu. That makes me more knowledgeable and thinker because I had also to choose the best resources to include in my personal project. I learn to find a balance between daily study and Personal Project time, and to reflect in my personal work.
Regarding ATL skills, I was able to develop them all more or less. First, I was able to develop Communication and the Social skills by communicating with my supervisor through out the process of carrying out my projects as well as with my classmates and my family with whom I wanted to share my experience and my final work. Then, I developed the Thinking skills as well as the Research skills by surfing the Internet to discover the best resources and reflecting on the credibility or not of the information included. I also worked on my thinking skills every time I encountered a small or big problem that I had to overcome. Finally, I particularly developed my Self-management skills by planning my project and striving to stay faithful to my time line and my deadlines.
In the end of my personal project I could say that the process of making Quju was a very good academic training process for me. From the initial planning stage, then searching relevant materials, designing drawings, seeking help and guidance, and teamwork, until the final stage of writing a summary report, I went through a complete scientific research project process. This will also help me a lot in my future academic studies.
Bibliography
Book
ZHU FA YUAN, WU QI XING, XIA HAN NING, WU KE , 2010, “Fundamentals of Chinese Culture”, Unit 2. Available on :https://books.google.gr/books?id=aVp_DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT255&lpg=PT255&dq=quju&source=bl&ots=5xayV88S0&sig=ACfU3U13v8wcRih76OFUX90DLdBUiLLV9g&hl=zh-CN&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiAkZvJ9IPnAhUkyKYKHXjvDJM4ChDoATAGegQICRAB#v=onepage&q=quju&f=false
Articles
UNKNOWN,Jan.15, 2020, “Ancient Chinese clothing”, Wikipedia. Available on: https://wiki2.org/en/Hanfu
SU YANXIAN, Jan. 22, 2018, “Traditional Hanfu costumes tell their own story”, Shine. Available on: https://www.shine.cn/feature/art-culture/1801229335/
Images
https://www.tanhualang.com.cn/zhizuo/4462.html
https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%9B%B2%E8%A3%BE
Videos
Yintzhaha,March 14, 2015, “汉服裁剪教学视频 曲裾” (“Hanfu tailoring”). Available on:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5RwstHW8JA
March 17, 2019. Available on: https://www.bilibili.com/video/av46572854?p=2
Jan.1st,2010. Available on:
https://www.bilibili.com/video/av81612959?from=search&seid=3263457858767712482
Appendix
Appendix1
https://www.tanhualang.com.cn/zhizuo/4462.html
Appendix 2
The step by step process
Directory 2 : Process Journals
Journal 1: First questions for investigating
1st meeting : October 11th, 2019
1.What is your goal ?
Make a Hanfu (Quju) and paint on it what I saw and learn during the semester.In the case of more than enough materials, I will make some Hanfu accessories, such as waistband, hair bands, hood*, purse,Sachet，Hairpin, cloak,embroidered shoes, apron*, etc., the priority order is inorder.
2.Why did you choose this for your personal project?
Because I love Hanfu very much, and I hope more people can understand it and love it. Learn more Chinese culture with Hanfu and spread our traditional culture to more people.
3.Is that connected with your personal interests?
Yes, it’s related,because I really like the elegant demeanor of people’s Wide robe sleeves and Feather fan and silk kerchief* in ancient times and the shock of "Laughing and jesting with his bride so fair, While enemy ships were destroyed as planned Like castles in the air.", Therefore, wearing Hanfu, making Hanfu is likes feel that the slightest facial expression to the heroes of ancient times.So my personal project chose to make a Quju.
4.What are your experiences on that?
I also studied stereo scopic costume production when I was in China. In that course, although it was just a doll costume, I also make a Quju and had a little experience.
5.Why do you believe that this project is or could be important for you and for other people?
Because I really like Hanfu and I know that other people also like it.
Journal 2 : Pictures of Quju
October 11th, 2019
https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%9B%B2%E8%A3%BE
Journal 3: Brain storming ideas
Journal 4 : The GRASPS
GRASPS
• Goal : My goal is to create a Chinese traditional dress called Qu ju or in other words Hanfu to present to my audience through that a part of China dress culture, as well as beliefs and values that are connected.
• Role : As student of the International School of Athens, I have to show and explain to other students, classmates and teachers and perhaps visitors to our school my creation.
• Audience : the students of my class and of my school, the teachers and perhaps other people they will see my project during a school activity or a school celebration.
• Situation : I will create a traditional Chinese costume based on information, pictures and videos that I will find in Internet.
• Product, Performance, and Purpose : A traditional Chinese costume called Hanfu.
• Standards and Criteria for Success : After creating my own criteria adapted to my work, the final outcome will be assessed related to the MYP criteria of the MYP personal project.
Journal 5: Sources for the personal project
October 21st, 2019
1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5RwstHW8JA
This is a video that teaches how to make aQuju.
2. https://wiki2.org/en/Hanfu#Song_and_Yuan_dynasty
The article talks about an exhibition of Hanfuat National Wetland Museum of China.
3. https://wiki2.org/en/Hanfu#Song_and_Yuan_dynasty
The article of Wikipedia presents someinformation about the ancient Chinese clothing as well as the impact of Hanfuand the Hanfu movement in the 21stcentury.
4. https://www.tanhualang.com.cn/zhizuo/4462.html
5. https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%9B%B2%E8%A3%BE
6. https://www.bilibili.com/video/av46572854?p=2
It is a video about the Qu ju.
7. https://books.google.gr/books?id=aVp_DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT255&lpg=PT255&dq=quju&source=bl&ots=5xa-yV88S0&sig=ACfU3U13v8wcRih76OFUX90DLdBUiLLV9g&hl=zh-CN&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiAkZvJ9IPnAhUkyKYKHXjvDJM4ChDoATAGegQICRAB#v=onepage&q=quju&f=false
(The following pages are downloaded from the book "Fundamentals of Chinese Culture". I have included the pages here because sometimes it is not available on the previous site. I used Chinese words to find it).
Journal 6 : OPVL
th2d meeting : October 25 , 2019
Primary sources
https://www.bilibili.com/video/av17408847?from=search&seid=9832458177249737157&rt=V%2FymTlOu4ow%2Fy4xxNWPUZ50EaQWOr1fWvalg%2F5TRq3w%3D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5RwstHW8JA
Secondary sources
https://wiki2.org/en/Hanfu#Song_and_Yuan_dynasty
https://www.shine.cn/feature/art-culture/1801229335/
https://books.google.gr/books?id=aVp_DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT255&lpg=PT255&dq=quju&source=bl&ots=5xa-yV88S0&sig=ACfU3U13v8wcRih76OFUX90DLdBUiLLV9g&hl=zh-CN&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiAkZvJ9IPnAhUkyKYKHXjvDJM4ChDoATAGegQICRAB#v=onepage&q=quju&f=false
Journal 7 : Criteria template version 1
3rd meeting, November 1st, 2019
Journal 8 : Criteria Template
November 1st, 2019
Journal 9 : Me doing the project
November 2rd, 2020
Journal 10 : ATL Reflection
November 25th, 2019
To carry out the personal project, I first had to have Self-management skills to beable to plan the whole process and be on time with all the deadlines given by myself or by my supervisor.
It was also necessary to develop communication and social skills to the extent that I had to communicate with my supervisor during the production of the project as well as with my classmates and my parents to solve small problems(go to buy the fabrics, to agree with my sister to serve as a model for my creation etc.).
Of course, I also had to develop research skills since this whole project required looking for information to move forward. I had enough trouble finding information in English given the feature of the subject.
Finally, I had to develop my thinking skills since each time I faced a problem I had to make decisions to exceed it and to continue.
Time line
Product Display
