Gay Paris

well, Paris was last week. We went for Premier Vision as well as to buy fabrics for the Collections. To be honest, I've already got plenty of my fabrics (though not all!) so only went for a browse, but still got a couple of things as the quality was so good and the price was so low!
I remember in the first year, we were advised that we should expect to spend several thousand £ on fabric in the final year! Some of the girls got their entire fabrics over there and I don't think anyone's spent anything like that which is good news!
I've still got a couple of fabrics left to get and it's frustrating me. There's one fabric I need fairly immediately and I've somehow not managed to get hold of it!
I also want a couple of jerseys for the tops within the range and I'm still after the loop-backed sweat for one fo the jackets too!
Other than that, fabric wise I'm sorted (!).
There are a couple of other things coming to light now thought that I need to sort out really soon;

The embroidery on the back of the black bomber- I'm hoping the textile department will be able to help out with the technique for that!

The printing for the tops and labels- Again I'm going to fish for pointers on silk screen printing for these-I know the garments are simple for them thought so I'd quite like to get those finished so that I'm at least making progress!
Lastly on the crafty query list is that I want to have the belt buckles made, but I think I know a man who knows a man, so that one might be possible too! Anyway...

In terms of making progess...

I've got the first top done (for the black collection), as well as a second top ready for the general collection. I've also done the pattern for the first jeans, so that should giude me with the other pairs (hopefully will make the following pairs quicker to make!) Also, I'm now on the third toile of the velvet bomber. The instructions from the Winifred Aldritch book are (surprise surprise) entirely wrong! That means it's taking me an age to perfect the garment. It's so frustrating!
Well I think that's it for the update for now,
I'll keep trucking on and try not to get too stressed!
I'll be back as soon as there's more to tell!

range finalised...

Above is an illusration of my proposed final collection. Its been another strange week, but I've finally got it to a stage where I'm fairly happy with the designs.
The outfit to the left of the colour palette is the ensemble for Alternative Fashion week. The garments that make up this outfit are split within the range (as shown to the right).
In terms of making, I've struggled again this week. I've been working on the initial jeans pattern and so far it's not going well. I based the pattern on the directions from Winifred Aldritch and they're so unwearable its ridiculous!
So back to the drawing board with that 1. I'm just mad that I've lost so much time on it!
Elsewhere things are going ok- feel like I'm falling behind overall, but I just need a good day or two then I'll be on a roll!

Off to Paris this week, so Ill lose 4 days work there, but I hope I can get plenty done before we leave!
Anyway- I think that's about it. All up to date again.
I think there's 24 garments to make now, so I'd better crack on!
I'll update if there's any developments.
Thanks

garment 1, check!

I've finished my 1st garment!
It's towards the Alternative Fashion Week collection, but will probably fit into my Grad Collection anyway.
It took me 4 toiles to get it to this point, and I'm actually really pleased with it! the fit's ok and the sewing is actually not bad!
I'll add images as soon as possible.
The next step is the trousers- I think I'll use a flat fronted formal trouser pattern and then amend it with the jeans details I want!
I'll update on how that goes!
Also been doing more research on the neckwear etc (ties and bowties)
Have got plenty of really good images and ideas now for that, so that means my sketchbook's coming together nicely again!
I have to get some presentation boards done over the next couple of days ready to update the lecturers with on Thursday!
That's about all for now, I'll post again with any developments
Thanks

blue beck!

I've had a rough couple of days work wise-
on Friday I started a really straight forward, simple toile with the intention of completing it, the pattern and several finished garments by now.
However, the toile went very wrong, and I'm still working on it now!
It's set me back a little and making me really doubt my skills and wonder if I should be doing a collection at all.
I did wonder about recruiting an expert machinist for the next couple of months to be at my beck and call and save me, but

1-I don't know who to ask,

2- I can't afford to pay and

3 I'm very stubborn and want to be on hand to point out any errors!

Basically, I'm going to muddle on and hopefully will be able to make something presentable eventually!
If I carry on like I am now, I might be dehidrated soon from all the blarting!
anyway-
I'll stop moaning now and get on with it!
thanks

RSA photoshoot

I did my RSA photoshoot last week, we went to the Georgian House Hotel on Ashbourne Road, Derby. The decor is gorgeous in there and was perfect for the style of shoot I wanted.
My muse was on hand to assit me and everything went really smoothly!
Here's the top three pics from the shoot, hopefully these'll be heading for the portfolio now: