Walking the Runway!

Tonight, was the first time I had a dress I designed walk the runway! My final pattern making project walked in Hemline's fashion show and it won 1st place out of the Junior class designs! 

I have a video, and a few more pictures, but they're on a different camera so they'll get up another time. I'm  currently getting ready for the move to NYC! 

Refresh

Challenge: 5 easy pieces, that coordinate to be worn on a weekend trip. Pieces must be able to easily convert from day to night and be suitable for your destination.

The Result...

Sorry for the poor quality picture, its from my phone.

Schooling

Currently, I'm in my second pattern making course and I am super excited because as our final project we get to design and make a dress. Even though the end of the semester is in May, we are already starting to get our designs finalized.

This is my working sketch, I'm still tweaking things, playing with armholes and things like that. 

I found this fabric at Mood which I really really really want to use, but its $14 a yard, and on top of an underlay, lining and notions... it would make the dress really expensive. So I'm going to have to really think, maybe look around for something cheaper, and start saving. 

It Lifts and Separates

 I may have mentioned, I've been consumed with school lately continuously working on projects. Well, this week as the semester draws to an end, so do my projects.

I think my favorite, but most intense class this semester has been pattern making. I spent many nights and countless hours in the classroom working hard on my patterns. My pattern work, wasn't as good as I would have liked. So when given the chance to challenge myself I went for it.

Our final project was to make a bustier foundation garment. We had to make a bustier with princess seams, or we could make a bustier with bra cups, which was a bit harder.

After my first sew up, I was starting to regret my decision. As you can see, the muslin was HUGE on Betty.

But it really wasn't that bad, it only had to be taken in... a lot. I did two complete muslin sew ups,  then the canvas/final sew up. I then had to replace a whole piece of the canvas, because apparently Betty is lopsided. I added a bra (a padded fabric, which we had to make ourselves) and some boning.... 

I am so incredibly happy with how it turned out! While I'm happy to have some free time, I already can't wait to get back to pattern making in the Spring!

MIA

I know, I know... I have been missing around here for a while. School, is the culprit... just project after project. Don't believe me?
Exhibit A: I'm writing this at 3 a.m. (I just finished a project, and thought I'd check in.)
Exhibit B : 140 unread emails in my inbox this morning.... I am usually super on top of going through my emails.

Well, I have my big Bustier final due on Friday, and finals the week after... then freedom... and more regular updates on the blog!

My final project bustier, in muslin before the first fitting. 

Practice Makes Perfect

As I mentioned in my last post, I have numerous projects going on right now. 

One of which is the Window Display Project.  We are given windows and must come up with a display idea and construct it. In my group, we all decided to come up with sketches and then from there we would decide on our two favorite to submit to the teacher and from there we would pick which display to do our project on. 

I came up with two sketches. In the first, the drape should be more of a lilac color although it didn't come out right in the picture. 

The second, features fashion sketches scattered throughout the background with crumpled sketches on either side littering the floor. The idea is that "Practice Makes Perfect", us designers work hard coming up with tons of different concepts and ideas and then we finally have the perfect finished product. 

My group liked both sketches, but we chose the second to go forward and get reviewed by our teacher. The other design that got chosen by the group was really good too,  of course I'd love for us to go with mine, but I have a good feeling about our display either way. 

Betty

The other day I had to go into class after hours to finish up some work on my pattern. It finally gave me the chance to take some pictures!
So first, we have Betty with the muslin pieces draped on her.

From the markings on the muslin, we are then able to create the basic block pattern. We also used measurements to draft a sleeve, which can be seen to the right.

 Going into the building and room late at night is super creepy. especially with the 20+ mannequins just creeping out in the back... and then you have this one... super creepy little kid just hanging around.

Seams Like the Very First Time

It feels like forever since I last did a sewing project. When really, last major thing I sewed was my final project from my sewing class in May. I have sewn on a button here or there and hemmed a few things since then. But I have decided to embark on my next great project...

Vogue 1174

This makes me extremely nervous. I mean I know I can do it, but for some reason this pattern just makes me nervous, I haven't made anything this intensive since my prom dress in high school, like two years ago.

But I will try to start the muslin this weekend and cross my fingers have it done by Monday, if I can get to the fabric store for some supplies. Then I'll embark on the real thing. And if you follow me on twitter @theFASHIONgirl I shall be sure to put updates on how this little project is going.

I also want to make like a cosmetic bag, because I can never find the perfect one... I've never made my own pattern, but I think I know enough about sewing to try. I mean I will be taking pattern making in the fall, might as well start now.
So any readers, care to share any new projects you are embarking on?