Final Illustration

I have been given the task of illustrating Laura Martins design. The only reason this is a tricky item to have to draw, is because you have to interpret the look and colour of denim in 2D.

I began by spending the time mixing, acrylic paint, water colours and pro marker pens in oder to attempt to get the correct look. Below are the experiments:

I am pretty happy with this illustration even though it is simple, I think that it gets the colour match to the fabric quite well. The style of the illustration is a type of young woman that would wear this item. 

Moving on from this module I plan to keep a collecting fabrics and to carry out a photo shoot for my portfolio. I have really enjoyed this module. I am also looking into trying t go on a crash course for pattern cutting in the summer to really get a good understanding of all the basics and be able to develop them. The only thing is this project i regret that my dress felt a little rushed due to a number of reasons.

Finishing Final Garment

I am generally a organised person, and work hard all the way through the module rather than just at the end, this is an ethos I followed for this project but feel that when trying to make a perfect dress, it becomes far more time consuming than you would expect.

These pictures below are before I have pressed my garment smartly ready for the fashion show.
The final Processes:

I sewed the two front small collar piece's onto the dress front after having been able to overlock the facing inside.

As you can see from the inside of the garment, it has all been finished nicely and professionally inside.

I had some trouble with the zip as Janet didn't buy the correct type for a dress, she bought an open ended zip.

This meant that I had to try and blend it in with the back of the dress.

Sewing the shoulder pieces with the back facing, gave a really smart and tidy finish.

Hand felled hem, because the fabric isn't that thick.

After sewing my dress up, I realised that I should have maybe sewing it with french seams, not realising how fragile the fabric was. This meant I have to overlock with both seam allowances together. 

Poorly sewn bias binding to arem holes.

I had to try many times and attempts to get this fine fabric to git and not move of fray to much when sewing to get the clean finish to your garment. 

So I created some more thicker bias binding, in hope that this would help.

Final Dress Side

Final Dress Front

Because of all of my problems and time spent when sewing bias binding, I have done my best here, and if for more time would keep continue developing it so you can get it right.

Sewing facing and Pockets on final dress.

I have now completed the neckline as far as I can without an overlocker.  I have done a top stitch on the edge of the facing by the collar so that it lies flat, and does try and poke out. The problem is that I don't want to compromise on the quality of my dress by using a zig zag stitch on my domestic machine to finish the raw edge of the facing inside, or the wrong colour on the industrial overlockers in class.

Unfortunately there has been a lot of trouble with over lockers in this module to to lack of information, I have never been taught how to thread one or change the needles. I also wasn't told I have to buy my own thread for it, as I thought these were provided by the uni. So I feel that I have now fallen behind because of these things.

I am pleased with how my garment is looking, I had some trouble sewing on the pockets due to the top stitching thread pulling on the silk material. But I managed it in the end. I am glad that I decided to sew the pockets with the two different fabrics as I think this gives a far smarter finish to them.

I have finally been working on the back of the garment, ironing the facing and sewing it on before pressing it to finish, I am really happy with how it has turned out actually and it stiffens the back seam well.

Fabric Samples

I decided to visit a fabric sale that designer Alison Rodger was hosting. I am really glad that I went as I picked u some really interesting samples from fabric suppliers such as Pongees and Henry Bertrand.

Here are some of the pieces I picked up below:

Sewing and Constructing Neck Line.

I then began to construct the neckline on my garment. I began by pocketing the neckline pieces and pressing them neatly to get a really good result before beginning construction of the neckline.

After talking with my teacher we have decided that because of the pattern, I have been given and how he toile turned out, that the neckline needs strengthening and needs to be sewn differently to get the best result.

This was the main area of concern, the point on the neckline. as this is a really weak area, so I have fussed it.

I then sewed the collar on making sure that the two pieces met in the middle so that it will help strengthen the area. 

I then cut fussing for the facing to strengthen the neckline further.

As you can see, because of the way we are now constructing the neckline, there will be no raw edges to see. I am now going to go on and continue this at home until I need the use of an overlocker, and will have to finish it in class.