Old English Golfclub Headcover – product design

Let’s start from the beginning, for this project I was inspired by my passion for golf, and pity for any golfclub that has to sit out in the cold enduring god knows what on the golf course. Not only did I have something in mind and how to design it, but with this being an upcycle project, I wanted it to not only be a cool idea, but useful as well. However, I first needed an aesthetic! Why else would I be taking this class if not for the aesthetics?

Example of a sock golfclub headcover

The aesthetic I would be going for is a mix of two. On one hand I think it would be cool to stick with that old style of clothing and use a lot of neutral colors and shapes, but I also want to incorporate a mass media type vibe by placing logos of my favorite brands all around the headcover. It would be similar to how a skater or skier puts a ton of stickers on their helmet or board. This would mix two opposite genres and potentially be a cool crossover. One of the main aspects of this design to focus on is the color pallet. Not only do I not like staring at a ton of colors just thrown together with no rhyme or reason I’d prefer there be some thought behind it and not make it move too far away from the original “old English” aesthetic and those colors. So, what is old English? To me it screams plaid/neutral colors, overlapping patterns, and a clean design. Not as in I need to wash this a lot to keep the aesthetic, but more like not messy. When I think of my design, I want it to emulate old golf culture too, to bring out the aesthetic even more. For example, back then there were no public courses limiting the player base to only the top 1% thus making the aesthetic be more pretentious and put together. An example of this aesthetic is shown below. Notice the neutral/natural colors and leather boots with high thick socks.

Example of Old English golf aesthetic

However, there are already golf club headcovers that are very similar to what I have been describing. So, to put my own spin on it I thought it would be a good idea to also bring in a skater/skier aesthetic and put a bunch of logos of my favorite teams and brands. Originally this came to mind as my old White Sox hat was sitting right next to my clubs and since this is an upcycle project, I wanted to use old things I never use anymore. Along with this I wanted to incorporate some old craftsman techniques and design choices that fit with the old English design and don’t have it end at the sock. This could include adding some leather or buttons to make it seems older. So, I went to Goodwill and looked for the closest thing I could get to my vision.  I didn’t find exactly what I wanted but I still looked for things with striped patterns, natural color palettes, and leather details. This style often illustrates a historical, medieval, or gothic feel, commonly seen in traditional blackletter typography, coats of arms, and vintage textiles so I stuck looking for black logos and darker neutral colors. The most disappointing thing was not finding a sock that was light enough, but I did find a leather belt that was made up of interwoven leather pieces for a couple bucks and cut the ends to take a single strip and wrap it around the head. This was to add a leather element which I associate with the time period of Old English (early 1900’s) and add another color to the design.

Example of “Skier/skater” aesthetic

To modernize this aesthetic, I introduced a juxtaposition to the Old English theme with a mass media element by adding modern logos that I liked. This was a deliberate contrast between the historical and the contemporary additionally adding a personal touch to the overall project. This was achieved by incorporating logos into the design like the White Sox, Titleist, and Star Wars patches, representing modern consumer culture alongside classic patterns and textures. The result was a cool combination of past and present, merging the ornate qualities of Old English designs with the bold, recognizable imagery of mass media. I knew I wouldn’t find the perfect materials and colors when searching but the image below illustrates my original vision for the project.

My rough draft of the finished product

Gathering Materials

A key goal of this project was to utilize thrifted and repurposed materials. I sourced the main components—socks, patches, a belt for the leather, and a pom-pom—from a local Goodwill store. By choosing second-hand materials, I was able to reduce waste while also incorporating unique textures and colors that may not be available in traditional fabric stores. I first got the idea of the patches from my old White Sox hat sitting next to my golf clubs. I used to wear it all the time, and ultimately it got worn out, so using the logo was a great way to bring it new life.

I also wanted the final product to be adaptable. The design allows for future modifications, whether through additional patches, stitching, or embellishments. This aligns with the core philosophy of upcycling: creating something that changes over time rather than being disposable.

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Putting everything together

The construction process was time consuming, requiring hand-sewing techniques and strategic problem-solving. Since I worked with a mix of materials, each with different textures and thicknesses, I had to adjust my approach throughout the project making it a lot harder than I thought it would be. Below is the final product, as you can see the sock is gray and not stripped but has a lot of other details. In the future if I ever find a sock just like the one in my rough draft, I got to make a whole set for my clubs.

Challenges

1. Sewing into a Sock
   One of the first challenges I faced was sewing into a sock. Unlike rigid fabrics, a sock’s stretchy, knitted structure makes it difficult to stitch without distorting the shape. More importantly, I couldn’t sew through both sides of the sock without affecting its entire shape. To solve this, I carefully cut along the underside seam, sewed the necessary elements onto the fabric, and then stitched the sock back together. This allowed for me to easily go in and out of the sock. However, when putting back together the sock the rigidness of the patches made it hard for them to stay flush with the sock as it bent.

2. Thick Patches and Loose Knit Fabric
   The patches I selected were thicker than expected, making them difficult to hand-sew through. Additionally, the sock’s loose-knit fabric made it challenging to keep the thread tight without altering the sock. This added to the patches not sticking onto the surface very well.

3. Relearning Sewing Techniques
   Having not sewn since sixth grade, I underestimated how difficult it would be to achieve clean, even stitches by hand. I had to relearn basic sewing skills and adjust my approach as I worked through each challenge. Looking back, I should have taken my time to make sure the stiches were taught and stayed that way when cutting the needle off.
   The worst angle imaginable illustrating the arts and crafts aspect of the project

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Final Outcome and Reflection

The final product successfully blended Old English aesthetics with modern mass media themes, creating a unique, upcycled fashion accessory. More than just a functional item, it became a symbol of sustainability, creativity, and problem-solving.

What I Learned

1. Sustainability in Fashion
   This project reinforced the importance of upcycling in reducing waste. By sourcing materials from thrift stores, I was able to create something new without contributing to unnecessary consumption.

2. The Value of Handcrafting
   In a world of mass production, the act of hand-sewing and customizing an item added a level of personalization and meaning that store-bought products often lack.

3. Creative Adaptability
   Facing unexpected challenges pushed me to develop problem-solving skills, whether through modifying my sewing techniques or adjusting my design on the fly.

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Conclusion

This upcycle project was not just about creating an accessory—it was about exploring sustainability, craftsmanship, and understanding aesthetics and art. The process taught me the value of reusing materials, embracing challenges, and appreciating the art of handmade design. I should have planned out the materials better as both the sock and patches had issues to deal with.

Looking ahead, I hope to continue experimenting with upcycling techniques, refining my sewing skills, and further exploring the art of balancing two different aesthetics. This project has shown me that ordinary objects and raw materials can be combined and transformed into something beautiful, functional, and personal.

Citations:

Example of golfclub headcovers: https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/360288038917969808/ Author: Ebay

Old English golfers: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/155796468333221832/ Author: Unknown

Skier/skater helmet:  https://www.newschoolers.com/forum/thread/795081/Ski-Snowboard-Helmets—Stickers-or-not- Author: Steezy_Doge 2015

ChatGBT used for organization