Learning to pattern cut

This was a really good lesson and I learnt so much, before I had been really worried about this project and learning to pattern cut, but now that I feel I know the basics, I feel this will help me understand more.

We were asked to carry out an exercise to teach us in a very 3D way as to how the basics of how pattern cutting works, this involved all the steps from using out block pattern, to creating our new own pattern and finally making a toile.

Although the toile didn't turn out that successful, it was learning the concept behind it that was more important for my first attempt. 

Here are the steps that I carried out:

Creating seams and samples.

We have been given the task of creating samples of seams, pockets, zips and hems. I think this is really good as we can then familiarise ourselves with the industrial sewing machines, and all the different techniques. I have taken some photographs of some of the different things I have been working on.

Plain Seam

Sewing double stitch seam

As this sample was done at home I have sew zigzag stitch a long the edges rather that the overlocker to stop the fraying. 

Rounded patch pocket template.

You press around the template that is slightly smaller than the pocket itself to get the shape you are looking for. 

This is the result of that technique before attaching it to main garment. 

Finished curved patch pocket. 

I also created a standard patch pocket, which was just as simple to create. 

This is what I am working with currently a inseam pocket. I plan to first make it out of calico before using the appropriate fabrics that would be used normally. 

I am trying to show a number of skills in this file and not what had just been asked of me, I am trying to look into other techniques I can learn and put in there, as well as trying to use the appropriate fabrics, to explain and show further why that technique is used.

Sourcing Fabric in Shepherds Bush.

I went to Shepherds bush to collect contacts and samples for my fabric book, I noticed a very different price bracket for the fabrics hear, they seemed much more affordable, so this is something to bare in mind, when I come to purchasing my fabric. If a shop didn't do samples, as the prices were reasonable I would buy half meter lengths, I thought this would be helpful as I was collecting samples for possible fabrics for my current project, and by getting lengths I can create samples with it, to get a feel as to how easy it is to sew and manipulate, before purchasing. 

Here are some of the contacts below:

My second trip

I visited Fortnum and Mason's as this is somewhere I hadn't ever been to before, I did find it interesting as they sell a great variety of very high quality items. The environment and atmosphere of the inside is similar to liberty with the same dated grand exterior.

Whilst I was in Fortnum and Mason's I took a look at the underwear and accessories, looking at the seams, and fabric that they have been made from. This was really beneficial as a lot of the under pieces were made from silk this is obviously something  that is effected as to what the budget is and who you are designing for.

I also went on the hunt of some more fabric samples over the last week. I went to Broadwick road again and got some samples that are below. In the the fabric shop named Silk, the gentleman was awkward and wasn't happy to give me the names of the fabrics which was a little frustrating, but this is something that I can learn from.

PURE London

I attended The PURE London event, which was a really good and interesting day. It aloud me to really understand as to how working as a stylist, buyer, trend forecaster ect, would work. You can see how you barter to get a good price for a number of garments, at the price you are looking for. And from a designers point of view, you can see how important branding, advertising and merchandising is. 

I attended a number of fashion shows and interviews during the day, I watched two WGSN trend predicting fashion shows, which I have posted some photographs of. They had a tutorial a long side them, to help people to know what to buy and how to combine and merchandise the pieces. Which was really educating, it does give you an idea of all the number of jobs available in the fashion industry.

A few examples of the styles to expect to see in AW11: