Fashion Design - simplifying things

Good Evening Bloggers,
A short post, just to update on my latest 'Fashion Statement'.

Following the disaster that was a failed patchwork dress, I decided to simplify things a little and start with a skirt. Having secured the use of a borrowed mannequin with bum and bust, I felt much more positive that I could make a skirt that was indeed the correct size and shape to fit me (if I should decide to ever wear it). I prepared all my scraps of fabric and recyclable garments and got to work!! I pinned fabric pieces onto the mannequin as I went.

 I used pieces of cut off courdroy trouser hems in the waistband as they are strong. The main front panel is part of an old top. The burgundy piece is a piece of tablecloth. On close inspection you can see a tassle from the corner of the tablecloth!!

 I used some of the fabric from a silky top to make a gathered piece around the hem and some tartan ribbon I was given added some smaller frills. I think the colours all tie in pretty well together. The skirt was still a little short so I wanted to add more frills and length. I wanted to make the hem asymmetric as this followed the shape of the emerging design.

 





I am pretty pleased with the final result and may consider wearing it someday. I can still see lots of aspects I can improve. My main aim now, is to incorporate smaller fabric scraps with further pleated and gathered details.

 

It just goes to show what one can make with a little practise, patience and a few scrap materials!! Oh, and a mannequin with bum and bust!!

Fashion Design - making a dress is far too hard!!!!

Good Evening,
A week or two ago, I was feeling confident about making garments without patterns. I managed to retrieve my dressmakers dummy from a friend which was purchased for me around 27 years ago by my parents when I first got into sewing (at the young age of 13 ish). However, this project made me realise that the dressmakers dummy I used 27 years ago was either relevent to my actual size 27 years ago but not now OR that body shape has changed a lot in the 27 years since it was first made!!!!! This spindly mannequin with very little in the way of bust or bum was never going to 'fill out' the dress I wanted to make in my size. I had failed before I started really, however, desperate to have a go, I persevered (for a while!!)

 I started by draping and pinning lots of fabric pieces over the mannequin.

I started stitching the bodice together when I felt happy it was working. I then worked on draping fabrics for the skirt.

I started pleating the skirt fabrics and sewing them on to the bodice. At this point, I tried the dress on. What a major disappointment!! Although I had extended the mannequin to it's full size, the dress still 'hung' from her. However on me, the dress was tight and bumpy in places. Whereas the pleats and gathers hung nicely on the mannequin, on me they stuck out in all the most unflattering places!! I realised at this point that I needed a 2013 style body double with a proper bust and a proper bum if I was to continue making any kind of patternless clothing!!!!

This is how I left the dress - looking much like me - disgruntled, ruffled and lacking confidence!!!!!

It took me a week to cheer up. Being able to borrow a brand new mannequin just my size was one of the major factors that has since brightened my horizons and my next project is looking interesting so far I am pleased to say. Update coming soon................

Fashion Design - making very small steps, some backwards!!

Good evening,
Time to write an update on my attempts at garment making. I have been avoiding this moment for a couple of weeks due to a variety of failed attempts and feelings of embarrassment at just how 'strange' some of my garments have ended up looking!!!!

This was my first attempt at working from a 'muddled together pattern'. I made the pattern from an existing tunic top.

For the bodice, I hand dyed some pieces of lace I purchased for 10p each at a local shop. For the detail, I free machine embroidered flowers using fused angelina fibres for the flower petals. I am pleased with the bodice.

The skirt is made from an old elasticated top!! I have added some frills and lace details here and there.

 

Overall, the pattern has fitted together well and I like the embroidery. I am not happy with the skirt shape or the bottom half in general and although I have made it my size, I will NEVER wear it!!!!

A positive experience though as I learned so much from making this tunic top.

It is amazing what can be made from recycled and reclaimed garments and fabrics. I have a hundred and one ideas at the moment and I know I can do better!!!!

Watch this space for P9cbs next Fashion Statement!!!!!