Welcome Back!

I've been quiet for a long time - I've explained and checked back often though. Work and sewing has kept me busy, but with everything going on I have wanted to come back and keep this blog up. I really enjoy blogging and how it motivates me. I'm looking at video design, I get to design, organise and work on projects to sew and research. I get to help share some information and ideas.

So, I want to say welcome back everyone, my schedules changed a bit 4/5 blogs a week is too much at the moment still.

Also, hello to new readers too. 

I'm happy to say I have made some big plans and some smaller ones too, I've also completed a few projects, while I've been gone. - Which I'll share the details later, but there's not a later I haven't mentioned before so there won't be many surprises. Other than bits I've brought  - yep! New Equipment! New Fabric! New Sewing Machine! 

I usually buy fabric but with new projects I needed to use the right tools to complete the finishes I wanted so research led to buying some things you guys might want to see. And I love buying new tools to try them out, as much as researching new techniques for me to try.

Getting things new or second hand is always good. And oddly exciting - but different to buying more fabrics. This also means I just have some pieces to just try out  & practice with. Doing all I can while I have a pay check coming in. This means a lot of traveling for me every week., but it's worth it. I get to sew in my own space, work and be home. I've also had the chance to got to markets and shops in my work area- and there's a lot more than in my local area. 

There's a plenty of fabrics unless I am after something specific but that's usual for most people. And I like to be picky if I have something in mind. The stalls are great for fabrics, and odd pieces, and there's two shops with equipment. - Though there's only one for sewing machine feet, a little sewing machine shop & repair. I'm afraid one of these days I'll leave with an over-locker or more sewing machines. I do want one!

Anyway - back to posts - I'll be doing a few polls if anyone's interested in changing things here. Thy'll be among my blog posts as I get back into a rhythm. My first few post will focus on a lot the new equipment I have, my trip to Bowes museum & an alteration pieces & new patterns!

Thanks for reading - I hope you all enjoy the things to come.

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Welcome Back!

Textile View

I had an article which my work was involved in!

I have held off on writing about this article in Textile View because I wanted to see the response to my work. Which I have welcomed and really enjoyed seeing my blog and work being viewed more. It's been exciting to see.
Though I didn't know when it would be published I wasn't prepared to receive much attention, and I certainly didn't keep it. At the time it was published I wasn't posting as much as I should have been.

I know my work wasn't in the spotlight, only part of a larger inspirations piece. I am really proud of my work. I love that the writers found my work displayed in my university's little booklet of degree work and sought me out. It's not a lot but I am really pleased.

I also have read the article and enjoyed looking at all the other work. It is a really good piece of writing and a good showcase for so many peoples work.

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Textile View

G.O: Photography; Degree show catalog images

 My degree work - catalog images

Photographed by a member of the teaching staff at university - these are just a few of the catalog photographs. The photographs are great, I've had some real big problems with photographing my own work due to the textures and colours. I'm really happy with how these turned out and that they photographed so well.

He took into account the textures, the layout, and even incorporated some features and themes of my work too.

My digital designed weaves - my Jacquard loom woven pieces, are kept separate from the majority of my other work. Most (especially earlier jacquard's) are focused more on the weaving of pattern pieces - thus focusing on the design primarily.

Whilst some later Jacquards do focus more on texture.Though I have tried to pick and choose weaves applied to the designs; due to their structure, colour, and textures.

The photographs seem to favor my hand made samples from the Textel looms. Which have the most variety in texture, tone, materials and colour. Giving them a larger variation between their designs and intended use.

My favorite is probably the bottom image - because the combinations of textures, some tones and colour.


I don't have much exciting news with what to expect next but thanks for reading.

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G.O: Photography; Degree show catalog images

New Layout and Plans

My new layout - this makes me extremely happy to see! I updated this yesterday, and it is a brought layout, not made by myself, but an etsy product (I'm happy to give out the etsy stores name to anyone who asks)- I choose to buy one as I plan to continue this blog after university, as a hobby. 

Blogging is something I've really come to enjoy, even though its small, and needs development to bring in more ideas and articles for my audience here. This blog has changed over the years and I want to continue seeing it grow.

I'm hoping it will encourage me to show off my work and little projects more in the future. The confidence boost will help me to continue working. I never show off my work to it's full advantage nor do I show it off very often.

This is my old layout - I'm not sure why I picked a teal and lots of blue, but it worked for me at the time Though the background art is ruined if you try to use a wider template. That was kind of restricting and this layout was not very creative of me. It's not too simple, thats not the problem with this old layout but it didn't have all the thought and planning it could have had. The colour was too cold and the white background was too much. However, I have never been a fan of coloured backgrounds for text.

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Next I plan on sharing some of my weave patterns and the doodles for my boards. 

I'm hoping this will help develop my ideas and the layout I want to create, and possibly

 the theme too.

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New Layout and Plans

Blog layout - its getting an update if I can just choose!

Yep, this layout is going and on its way out -  teal and blue are gonna be changed to more suitable colours.

This layout was a good start for me blogging but it needs an update. I never even came back to really made a header image for this layout yet. Though I have tried from both this blog and the Facebook page. I haven't like anything I've developed, I'm afraid.

I need to update my profile information page and a portfolio page of my work. I might also create tabs for different projects of large work - as examples to what I have made and focused on other the years.

This will most likely be featuring uni work, rather than my little home projects, as these are small projects so far. Despite wanting to do more impressive projects at home I've had little time to really make anything large scale or detailed except for drawings and illustrations.

When I've selected the new layout I'll be comparing the two - new and old, and hoping you guys like the change.

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Blog layout - its getting an update if I can just choose!

Graffiti for Texture

I choose Graffiti for this project because of the variety - design, topic, meaning, texture, materials, artist, style, environment, everything is different to each piece. It was after visiting London for New Designers last year that I decided to go with that theme for this project. But it was whilst I was at New Designers that I got inspired by the graffiti surrounding me, I photographed a lot of it, and loved that my friends took me around the a big part of the city - they knew where they were going, I did not.

I loved that after turning one corner the graffiti was next to gone, after streets of it. There were clear sections where street art was okay and where it could not cross. That kind of amazed me.

Though it does make perfect sense with the stigma attached to graffiti, it's not wanted in all areas, even if its just decoration than art with meaning or purpose to be there. But there's people who do appreciate the street art, big or small.

This piece to the left was the first picture I took that day in London - I looked the style and the dripping paint and best of all I love big cats! This was on the gates of the location for New Designers. This didn't tell me much about the themes for New Designers and the work produced. However combined with all the other graffiti I saw around, it told me a lot about the area, and I loved it. I loved that we were surrounded by Graffiti and graffiti based events.

This experience encouraged me to continue with Graffiti and the photos from New Designers were my starting inspiration. The work was amazing - all of it that day, Textiles, fashion, graffiti and each exhibit. I'm glad I got to see the graffiti, though this meant I missed the cat walks that day.  I probably missed some great work on display, but I got the chance to see so much of a city that's different every time I visit, and I got to see that there was so much more there than I had seen,

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 More from London

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     From Derby

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Graffiti for Texture

Drawing - My collections design development

My early drawings of my collection - which were aiming to inspire me of what I could try to achieve and were more of a artistic  expression than a set of designs for a collection. Colour meant strong textures, different materials or colours. 

These designs also work to show me use of colour and balancing materials, and allow me to see scaling and what I might need in order to produce such textiles.
For example - trimmings, elastic, sewing skills, print processes, amount of fabric etc.

 
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 These drawings are more 'made-up'  they look neat and  more selective with their design. The texture used is to stylise designs I might create in my textiles, but the cut and design of the clothing allows for hints on my market.

Thick paint has been used to show possible design, materials and/or texture I might create. There's been more care in drawing the 'model' and I have been selective when choosing what materials were used.

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My latest choices include more mixed-media - chalk, crayons, paint, pens and papers/textiles. More than just different acrylics, but also very selective in the colours used. Different materials are used carefully to  describe different materials, yarns and colours. As well as describing my textiles as a fashion piece, as a finished piece. These are things to consider as a part of a collection. Designs that could build the starting few pieces of a collection of  young women wear market.

The bodies I've used are used repeatedly - tracing and re-drawing my own, often editing them to stand out - black line, white highlights, skin coloured paint (yes it is very off but the closest I have) and the shapes/poses used. I changed the bum on one as I found the original was way off of being 'correct'  and twisting the bodies or moving arms allow for similar poses to be drawn quickly without them being in the way/not being shown off - which is why a change is needed. Fashion drawing for clothing designs - before and after catwalks aren't held to standards to be drawn anatomically correct. However, I find it helpful if the drawing is done suitably well, so to the estimated fit and design of a garment. 

I continue with mt mixed media pieces, especially those on tracing paper which have become a important part of designing my collection - due to the difficulty of drawing white on white or white on coloured materials. In fact influencing me to try to use this as a part of visual research using tracing paper to draw my research - textures and graffiti - and to use white pen whilst doing this. Which could build on my work and bring a stronger link from my visual research to my final work and the designs I create.

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This is difficult to see but the top drawing is a girl in a vest top and skirt,
covered by a heavily trimmed kimono/loose jacket - all, but the trimming, in white.
Though there are some issues with the model's body not being  anatomically
correct I do like this drawing, and those behind.

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Drawing - My collections design development

C.W: Styles and trends for Autumn and Winter 2013

Changing Wardrobes:

What's in this Autumn/Winter:


From the catwalks plaids and checkered weaves have reappeared to brighten the clothes, and have
been shown  in some very interesting combinations, with some sophisticated styling.  Symmetry isn't an obstacle this year, with many asymmetrical pieces around. The oversize, the trimmed coats, and even the ladies tailored designs all have plaids to play with, from toned down shades to bold colour combinations.

The plaids are featured very strongly n skirts, coats, and jumpers, but have been used all over the wardrobe from shirts, to shoes. However they have come out on top in coats this season making a great statement, and stable piece to have.

Another influence in the catwalks to add instant glamour  is old school womanly charms, using older hourglass styling  and curvy silhouettes to add a lady like look and simple sophistication to a lot of collections Making sure we girls are snug in our coats and dresses, when we are out of those pyjamas this winter. This styling was often combined with a lot of pink, for all those who wish to brighten up the end of the year.

There was also a lot of urban utility fashion, presented. Contrasting the city against the lady this year.

Thanks  for reading, next week, etsy prints, my watermark and some of my own wardrobe choices, before I have  big clear out.                                                                                           Enjoy  XXX  

Below are the links I used to get the images, sorry I know I'd usually do a collage, and will continue with that in the future:

http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/autumn-winter-2013/ready-to-wear/no-21
http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/news-features/TMG9868296/London-Fashion-Week-autumnwinter-2013-live-blog.html
http://www.fabsugar.com/latest/Guillaume-Henry
http://vondiva.com/2013/09/17/tartan-in-fashion/
http://patternbank.com/new-york-fashion-week-springsummer-2013-print-highlights-part-1/
http://editd.com/blog/2013/03/check-point-street-to-catwalk-the-rise-of-plaids/

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C.W: Styles and trends for Autumn and Winter 2013

CW: Two things - Fixing clothes and making hoods and capes?

Changing Wardrobes :


Firstly fixing clothes, I am visiting my mam, and she seems to of had a problem with some clothes, they are tearing and losing buttons. So with my needles and threads I am stepping up, well I the only one in the house who has 3 different sets of threads. Though I should add my mam is fully capable if it wasn't the time and care needed to fix them. She's gone back to work today and has my half brother to take care off (he's still very young).

So I have a jumper with buttons to fix, a pair of trousers have lost their stitching on the zipper, as well as a skirt and a dress that both have tears in the front. I need to take up the outskirts to the correct lengths (above the tears) and then proceed with taking up the lining skirts, to match in length.

Without a sewing machine - this is not daunting for me I did this last year with a vintage Chinese style dress. I am just hoping my mam is pleased with the results; that is a little daunting.



Secondly, I'd like to hear some opinions on fleece capes and hoods I could make, I've got a bright red and a powder soft blue- I probably won't mix the colours because the red will make the blue look very washed out, but who would be interested in buying something like that this autumn/winter?

The capes can be hooded or not, and the hoods, can be plain or themed to, will snap fastenings or Velcro on the front to fasten them against the elements. So the can be customised to each audience and customers. If it goes well I can buy more fabrics and keep on going.


Should I make children's or adults though?
                  As it is leftover fabrics and I do not plan on keeping any back. Please leave me your thoughts and ideas.

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CW: Two things - Fixing clothes and making hoods and capes?

C.W : The Onsie

Listed on my Facebook account, a friend and customer. He has made his own onsie before (a Pikachu), but he has had no time this time round, having work and studies to do.

I have made a toadadile onsie for him to go to a Pokémon-themed party.

The body and tail turned out great, but I made a hood/hat that looked a little scary to me. It wasn't meant to be, I will be making more hats with some luck very shortly. Animal themed, rather than Pokémon.

I will be making a block from the pattern he lent me, he doesn't like the pattern paper. So I'll be making a copy in card that he would prefer, and it would make it easier for him to use.

So all that is left - is to use all the spare fleece.

Oh I'm looking forward to a new project

Share any ideas x

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C.W : The Onsie

G.O. & C.W explained

Getting On and Changing Wardrobes











For separating the posts of life from those of fashion and other trends I am giving my posts a title, either G.O or C.W and sometimes both. To say they are about Getting On in life or Changing Wardrobes I know this won't be separating them into official categories but at least if you have no interest in either of the subjects you don't have to read them.


However I hope that separating them you might find something interesting or helpful.


Enjoy reading x

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G.O. & C.W explained

G.O : The market

Well I had a market stall, with my sister's help it went ok. I was almost out of pocket, making only £35, with mixed weather and a broken suitcase - it lost a wheel, somehow, unfortunately I was using it to transport everything, from bracelets, table cloth, key rings, second hand clothing and so on.

I took my sister because she's good at designs, and was a great help with the layouts of products especially since I had a very collective set of items. She was not great at pricing, using very low values on most things, despite the time I had spent on them. Going for £0.50 to £3 on almost everything that wasn't hers. Pricing is hard, but it was hard to agree on good prices.

I have learnt a lot about layout, style and how hard it is to prepare, as well as what sells.

I will be posting the items on my etsy shop, and though I plan on doing a stall next year, only without such a collective set of products, from handmade and second hand to only handmade items.

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G.O : The market

Project 2

Again from company this project is to decorate ad customise shoes:

I would like to decorate my own shoes like this, but the would have to be a fairly plain shoe, that I felt needed jazzing up.

However like any other girl I buy what I like. Though I might not always make use of it, a habit I am stopping now rather than later.

The idea of reuse and recycling is very attractive to me at the moment having just emptying old and broken jewellery to be re-purposed.

I think the most likely time to make use of this project will be Halloween and any other upcoming fancy dress parties and events. Unless you want a one off item.

Gold and black is a definite winner. but I love purple if I found some wonderful shoes in a beautiful purple maybe purple velvet - with deep blue decorations could make some very unique shoes.

Tell me if you've tried this, Id love to hear the results.


Next:

Trends for the Spring that remain winter, in England

&

More projects

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Project 2

3 week easter!

Well I am at my boyfriends for two weeks out of three I have off, from University. Despite teachers saying the would not set me work I've got it, but its something interesting and worth doing. I've got to draw a collection, I have chosen jewelry because it is easy to transport and  have a lot of variety and some from over 6 years ago, despite only being 19 years old.
I have limited materials but plently of styles of drawing  and things to focus on.

I also  have some good projects from Company magazine to share. From capes to cutomising or items from scratch.


Now seeing as its just so cold here in England, I am lent towards posting this simple cape project:

I do fancy aking one myself, but the fact so few people - if any- wear a cape today. It is not something I want to wear to stand out.

But I would like to sell my own made capes, with customised details (if u have any ideas, please share). But I know unless there is a trend for them they won't sell.


I would be curious what I would make for myself.


Is this something you are interested in?
Should I keep on posting these articles?
If you have a try at any of these projects I'd love to hear what you think of them?

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3 week easter!