As I am now busy with level 3 dressmaking city and guilds it is time to update this page with some new notes. I’ve decided to choose the “New Look” as my inspiration for the rest of the course (something we have to choose) and as the basis for the pattern I am going to design from scratch (eek – have never done pattern designing before).
One of the things I have to do is use mood boards to show what I find inspirational. If you would like to take a look, here is my very first try.
and another moodboard, but this time as a word document – some accessories! as no new look dress would have been complete without the under garments and shoes to carry it off.
accessories
Embroidery
I have now completed my first (ever!) attempt at embroidery using different stitches. I will never feel the same urge to browse the needlework patterns compared to dressmaking, but having that it wasn’t too bad. I think all of my basting stitching and handwork required with making clothing has paid off and made me more proficient in accurately wielding needle and thread.
I never envisaged taffeta as being a good base for embroidery stitches but you learn something new every day as they say…
The inspiration behind the design is my theme – the new look. To me the new look is all about beautiful objects which capture the eye. To bewitch.
So here it is:
Beading
I’ve (very slowly) been completing my beading sample. I must say, I have not been converted in to an ardent fan. It’s pretty, but apart from maybe adding a very small detail somewhere I can’t see me spending the hours (literally) on a really small area. I have dresses to make in the mean time!
The new look is again inspiration. I have tried to show a lady in a full skirted dress on the dance floor. The odd things on the left hand side are something my tutor says I must show examples of. I think they look like little caterpillars.
I think the face has not quite worked, but the rest is ok
Free motion machine embroidery
Lesson one, best not to try this with black thread and red fabric with white polka dots. It doesnt come out very well. Alas, discovered this after attempting first sample. Anyway, have given this a shot, and discovered its not too bad! much easier then hand embroidery (quicker too) and something I think I actually have a chance at improving to a level where I can use it in some of my projects. The following picture is supposed to be based on Dior.
Can you see an hour glass, corset, rose, the number 8 (an important number to him) and my very poor attempt at writing his name?
Oh, one last thing, you dont need a fancy machine to try this!! you just need to be able to disengage your feed dogs (the little things under the needle which move your fabric along).
well, this page has been a little quiet recently. But fear not, the little brain cells have not been idle and have been busy churning through the masses of pictures I put together in my mini mood boards.
I’ve now mixed them all up in to one “big” mood board. It all needs to be stuck on to a big bit of card so please forgive the carpet. But I am pleased at how it is coming along.
I think I’ve now settled on “inspired by Dior” as it enables me to mainly focus on Dior, but also focus on other designers inspired BY him which broadens the field a bit
Venice inspiration
As part of my trip to Venice I was determined to add some research to my course notes, which so far do not have anything which I would call “wow” factor. I thought a trip to Burano island (where they have 7 special lace stitches handed down through different families) would help solve this gap in my current work.
I met a very nice lady who hardly spoke any English at all, but I grasped enough to appreciate how much work went in to lace making and how little the ladies earn per hour. I find it extremely sad that two bottles of water is valued as equal to a piece of work which takes such craft and skill. There’s something wrong there!
Anyway, here are the two little pieces I got, each showing a very different style.
and if you like your beads…
Murano glass is famous around the world. They have dozens of shops on the island. Less easy to find is a place which sells loose beads. I finally found one which did, but the prices do not come cheap. These little pretties range from 30 (euro) cents to the “don’t think too deeply about it” 3 euro plus. I could have spent a LOT more than this on individual beads if I wanted to. The ones in the photo below are for two necklaces.
I got some tiny beads (plain black bag, and plain blue bag) for my own beading work and for a friend. But they won’t photograph well without opening up the bag, and they will go everywhere! so, when I have done some work with them you will get to see them in detail.
the shop owner has them stored in sweetie jars!
and now my own lace samples…
I’ve just finished two lace samples for the course. The idea is that you join two large pieces together and in the second one join a scalloped edge. The black lace is something I have worked with before (80% cotton) and has a lovely pattern. The second (blue) is not something I would use next to my skin. Polyester synthetic stuff, pretty – and thats about it!
you can see where the double layer is visible
not too bad if I may say so myself. Hopefully the tutor will agree!
Time to show some work on “the portfolio”
I’ve worked very hard the last week to try and make a start of my portfolio to showcase my samples and inspiration. Alas, my camera has decided to hide itself. So these are taken with the help of my computer.
Sample: didnt massively enjoy the amount of time this took. BUT another embroidery sample finished!
sample: seam finishes X 12
inspiration: more Dior – collars
inspiration: delicate layers
Inspiration: love the draping and buttons
Inspiration: Dior dress and coats
