Selection Of Yoke Design

YOKES

INTRODUCTION:

A yoke is a segment of a garment usually placed at the shoulder, above the waistline (at midriff) or below the waistline for controlling and supporting fullness needed over the bust, chest, hips etc. Yokes help to keep the upper area of the waistline of a garment trim and smooth. Yokes are sometimes designed just for decoration and may not have any fullness.

SELECTION OF YOKE DESIGN:

The yoke design to be used on a garment will depend on various factors, The important factors are listed below with examples.

1. Design of the fabric:

There should be harmony between the shape of the yoke and design of the fabric. For eg, material with large checks or stripes are not really appropriate for yokes with round or curved shapes. They are suitable for straight line yokes, Floral designs or curved line fabric will be more suitable for round or curved yoke.

2. Design of the garment:

The design of the yoke should harmonies with the design of the garment. Yoke can be designed, which repeats the shape of the design details of the dress. (Such as collar, cuff, pockets ect.) but with slight variations to avoid monotony. To relieve the mono of curved lines. Straight line tucks are stitched on the lower section of the garment.

3. Purpose and use of the garment:

Yokes are the best for school uniforms and home wear garments. Select simple yokes style. For party wear garment, the yoke design can be of noval and decorative shapes such as scalloped, asymmetrical etc. with contrasting material and decorative edging of lace, frills etc.

4. Sex and Age of the wearer:

Round and curved yokes are more suitable for girls while straight yokes are more suited to boys. Older women should select simple yoke designs and avoid style which are too decorative.

5. Figure and personality of the wearer:

Deep narrow yokes with vertical decorations include vertical eye movement giving an impression of added height and less width, thus making a person look taller and slimmer. Hence select such yoke designs for a short plump figure. Horizontal lines in yokes make a person look shorter and fatter and are suitable for thin figures. A yoke wide at the shoulder and pointed towards the waistline gives the impression of a narrow waist and wide shoulder. A person with round face should avoid very round yokes as well as straight line yokes because repetition and contrast both emphasise the roundness.