week 22 (3/3/25) - (7/3/25)

On Monday, I took the opportunity to ask Lareen about how I could create my design especially since there are some parts of the design that I have not learnt yet in the course. To this end, Lareen suggested to use a dress shirt and take the sleeves to use for my garment, when I thought of this even further, I considered how else I could use the shirt for this project and  had the idea to use it and (since my dad, who owns these types of shirts, is larger than me) I could alter it to fit me and use the shirt, I will ask Sam about it on Tuesday. Other than this, I also proceeded to learn about more pattern cutting skills by looking into the pattern cutting books in the cupboards. I found an interesting one, but I will admit that it was a bit tricky to understand, however I had an idea, and it connected with that pattern so I decided to try it out to see if it would work with what I had in mind. I didn't get to test it out thanks to the talks happening for the first part of the session, but I was able to get the shapes of the pattern down correctly. I will test it out to see if it works or if it is very difficult.

I had a photoshoot later that day that I had an idea for before going into it, so I think the final photos have a clear visual and I was able to quickly get on with my photoshoot. I didn't need to have a person in it for my idea, but I decided that having a person in it could add some depth. For this shoot I wanted to focus on perspective, and I think I was effective with this concept in my final photos.

Tuesday’s lesson with Sam began with a talk from a previous student about how their life is going after he moved to Manchester for Uni. I listened in and learnt a lot of things about how his Uni life operates and all the opportunities he has taken no matter how small which has led him to become connected with people in the industry. While I have little interest in fashion marketing and promotion, which is the degree that Rhys is studying, I still gained an insight to how the industry works and different developments that are going on in the UK fashion industry, like a rise in Fashion within Manchester. Other than this, I also began work on pattern cutting and considering how i can change and use the shirt that my dad has given me to create something unique and interesting. This is because I discussed with Sam about my idea of altering the shirt and she said she wants more than just altering since it is more about how you are using the construction to your advantage so I can show off my skills and ideas. I have considered things like, adding fringe to my sleeves with buttons on them, creating a panel on my sleeves with a different fabric. adding some crochet so I don't just use buttons, possible weaving on the collar and how I can link each part of my garment to each other. I think this has allowed me to consider further how even the smallest details can improve a design. I won’t change my final design page but I will add some pages on more design considerations after it to show my development and thought process.

 

I started of Wednesday by taking my pattern that I had created on Monday and trying to sew it together. This is where I found my problems, there was a certain amount of wearable ease which I had forgotten about when sewing it the first time, though I was able to get a decent product, nonetheless. The second time around I accounted for ease, but it was very tricky, and I struggled with making sure I wasn't catching the other side of the fabric, this ended with a product that had a lot of pleats and the 3D aspects that were supposed to be there were flattened. I should try this again so that I can see if I can improve the product, but I'm not sure since it's different from what I have done before.

On Friday I began on my pattern cutting. This was alright for the most part because I was just using what I had learnt before to inform what I was doing; my only possible issue would be the skirt and where the splits start and the waistcoat where I’m not sure if it will work because I have never done it before. We will see how it goes. I think I will use the blocks to create it and if it doesn't work, I will use my body as well to ensure that it can fit someone. I use my body measurements if I need to because I am quite standard in terms of size; I fit into 12-14 sizes, my body is proportional, and I am an average height for a woman. My body also doesn't tend to fluctuate between sizes so I can reliably use my body to apply some level of alteration to be able to fit somebody, knowing that if it was being modelled for a photoshoot, it would likely be worn by myself.