November 5th, 2014 marked another major mile stone for Guppies Group Inc.; We completed our first Design Deliverable! During the research and continuous work on the Design Deliverable, Guppies Group inc. utilized as many outside resources to fully understand what needed to be done in order to make our prototype.With our gained knowledge came a question – how are we supposed to build children flotation device that is fully functional?
Guppies Group Inc. discussed, collaborated with our various ideas and then we finally came to a concise idea of what we wanted our design to look like- a combination of a belt like contraption and arm bands that could be easily adjusted. With our design in our mind we first needed to gather all of our materials to create our prototype(Means to make a model that will represent a beginning version of your product. From this model many people will test, modify and change to end up with their final product) . As a group we have decided that the best material to prototype our flotation device will have to be made with plastic vinyl(Preferably clear because it is a lot cheaper). In previous discussions, Guppies Group Inc. wanted to use a gel to fill the flotation device with something other then air. With a little research, Guppies Group Inc. discovered that such feat would be impossible for the gel does nothing to help with buoyancy and we decide to just have air fill the floatie. Guppies Group Inc. then decided to look for possible snaps, buckles and closures to help secure the floatie and allow adjustability.
Guppies Group Inc. will need to begin to gain and extend their skills by learning how to sew. Sewing will be a helpful skill to our project because Guppies require to attach their vinyl to their prints and shape their prototype. There is a video that Guppies Group Inc. could watch in order to lean and master this skill, but I think the usage of our wonderful Magical Ninja Librarian, Shawn Mauser, could also help enlighten us on a few basic sewing skills. There are also new sewing machines in the Maker’s Space that could be used. I personally only know how to sew with a needle and have never learned with a machine. I am hoping with the few lessons that I can pick up the skill and help out with the prototyping. A few questions I have are:
What is the best method to approach when sewing for the first time?
Should Guppies do a practice sewing project to practice skills?
If you know of an other resources for GGI could use to learn how to sew please comment below!
PC:
StarPathDesign 
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