C . W : Patterns

Changing Wardrobes : 

Patterns :  The Charlie Shirt Dress & Dec 2016

Threaders The Charlie Shirt Dress & Prima Dec 2016

Dresses, my largest section in my pattern collection. These two dresses are very different in styles and presentation but I'd happily wear either style for causal or a little dressy for an evening out. Threader's - The charlie shirt dress, on the left, has different lengths and sleeve options to change the look. A more casual style in general for a day /utility dress for function, but many shirt dresses have been worn and dressed up for an evening out. Even if the trend to do so can be a little dated, colour blocking, fine/patterned fabrics and accessories alongside comfort still keep them about.
On the right, the Prima's December 2016 dress has a simple silhouette and a more dressed up feel inherently - largely from the peak-a-boo shoulder with long sleeve. Maxi dresses might be worn more causally but there's a boho style to them. This shift style goes for more a simple chic look.

The fabrics suggested for these two dresses are very different. Threader's shirt dress suggests the cotton, linen,  poplin and medium weight woven fabrics, very common for this style of dress. Pattern will create most of the variety. Buttons could be contrasting to complimentary as well. If confident with collars and necklines, a sewer could experiment with different changes and styles.
Silk crepe de china, polyester crepe, fine wool crepe are so different but perfect for the silhouette of the DEC. 2016 pattern, it will give the dress the body and flow for the dress. As these fabrics will sit relaxed on the body, allowing for the shift style dress, rather than hugging the body. I think the longer length will allow any chosen fabrics to really shine and might lend itself to a more casual look for a summer maxi to dress up. A short dress with long sleeves may be very understated depending on the fabric, but more difficult to wear everyday.

My preference my both these patterns would be the longer version. The shirt dress I'd likely do the vest style or cap sleeve. I can see myself sewing both these in a block colour first and foremost, but I'd most likely want a pattern for the shirt dress and a lovely texture to Dec. 2016. As for which I'd pick up to sew first would be depending on plans in the future or how busy I've been.  I've sewn a few maxi dresses from scratch, so I don't need more casual dresses - but I also have no where to go. The summers best weather will be passed me  soon so Dec.2016 most likely won't be sewn this year, unless Christmas has any big parties for me.

I'll have to go with the shirt dress, utility and wear-ability will likely win out, alongside the need to practice buttons and button holes. I could also make false button stands if I have too much trouble or feel like the button stand needs any reinforcement.

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C . W : Patterns

C . W : Outfit

Changing Wardrobes : Black midi and Cardigan

This dress is a warm thicker material than some of the others, but stretchy. Without too much give,  so good for staying at home and still needing to run out. It's a more suitable length, but i actually like bunching up maxi's when I sew.
I love the high neck with the keyhole, which for more could be bigger. No sleeves, so better for warmer weather, but not the stifling heat we get every 3 days for the past month. The mustard cardigan is a great pop of colour, and my favourite addition to any outfit at the moment. Especially any black outfit. I'd say wear nude tight s and kitten heels, but I've been wear no tights/socks with my cheap-ie runabout shoes - black with a white sole. I can feel made up and still just throw my hair back or up as needed.

I actually liked this dress so much, I originally brought it in two sizes, from primark, 3 years ago. The fit was relaxed in the size 14 and loved the hug for the size 12. The cardigan is also from primark just from 2019. I really like to wear in my cardigans and either buy 1 or buy 3/4 at a time.

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C . W : Outfit

G . O : Project

Getting On :

Project : Box Recycling

I have had an idea to do hampers for people before the lock down, and recycling some boxes I have for a nice presentation. Since lock down - I want and would need to be able to send them through the post. So I figured decorate some boxes - using up my old paints to make some more space, and treat a few more people to something nice. I've actually moved on from my first two boxes, started making some gifts for people and came back to do another one in a completely different style. I won't say who they are for, or what inspired me in case any friends follow any links to this blog. No matter how unlikely.

I went for having fun and using mostly what paints I have mixed up and in my collection (I haven't topped up my paints in a long time). I used acrylic paints and posca pens. I will also add these took several coats of white and are semi delicate - they will peel if I'm not careful. Also to post these to my recipients I will also wrap these, making them a very colourful surprise. Each box was made with a person in mind, so I hope it'll be a good surprise.

I was a lot more playful with the first two, and left them a little messy on purpose. The second box I have photographed half finished as the next details will reveal who its for. I could have left the box as it was - I was happy with how it came out, even with the antlers looking a little chunky in places.

I had a lot of fun recycling these boxes and filling my time, the idea of someone receiving the box is a lot of fun as well. While it took a good part of 3 days work, I will state I do not expect anyone to keep these boxes. Acrylic paint can peel and stick to other items, especially when not sealed.

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G . O : Project

C . W : Outfit

Changing Wardrobes : Light Blue Maxi

I've recently sewn this dress from fabric I brought at a charity shop - right before lock-down and sewn it a week and half into the stay at home order. So, while I really like how the dress came out the fabric might not have been my first choice. I also have no garden to sit and wear it, but its good and flow-y for sewing and relaxing at home.

I really do like the shade of light blue. I can think of a lot of combinations with my current wardrobe, my first choice is my light tan faux leather jacket and plenty of silver jewellery. Adding some little boots till summer hits. The flower print, is a lot more varied than the other fabrics I picked up. I could also play off of these colours a lot more too.

This was my second try at a maxi frilly trimmed dress, with this type of fabric. I was greatly inspired by With Wendy to try this. I am a lot curvier than her so I knew the relaxed fit wouldn't be the same on my body, along with my limited amount of fabric. I  knew I wanted to have more of a play when making a second dress - I did a pleated back panel, and created my own cutout back for more fit and structure up top.
The end of the ties on the back, are finished with beads. These were the best fit from what i already own, I also didn't want anything too heavy. I think next time I would go for a contrasting softer fabric for the ties. The hem is also a gentle high/low hem, meaning the back does need a thick sole or heel to not touch the floor. 

This was just dress 2, out of 6 that I've made since the lock-down. So, I'm a little tired of sewing dresses already. But I'm looking forward to finding more inspiration to get me to knuckle back down.
Stay home and stay safe. Use your stashes and do what makes you happy.

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C . W : Outfit

My Illustrations for my White Project

My white project has meant drawing designs could be difficult - colours won't translate to bright designs or patterns but more subtle textures. Illustrations could be down in simple black lines, but might give the idea of bold contrasting yarns, weave pattern or colour - lending a sharpness to the drawings, that could have been difficult to create in my textiles or not translate at all.

I've made use of the skin coloured acrylics, black fine liner, white pens and white paint (some mother of pearl paint too)- on both sides of the paper - allowing for fainter black line details, solid colours with fewer layers on top of the paper.
This allows for more detail to be drawn on the semi-transparent paper.

Models with no backing card and the wrong side of the clothing
 designs, drawn on tracing paper. A lot of different mediums used.

These photos are of my latest drawings, Though I do have some older designs in my sketchbook and on boards, on paper and also tracing paper.

The style has changed a lot since I began drawing my designs - which I'll share later when I have some nicer images of the work. I had actually started with white chalk and black charcoal on tracing paper. I was surprised that the hairspray didn't affect the tracing paper very much, compared to wet paint or watered down paint.

This is the right side of the drawings. 

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My Illustrations for my White Project

My project of no name

My project for my final semester - is a project I have been doing for my final year, as I have continued my project over from my first semester. The research started over the summer in 2014 and  based on graffiti and the surrounding area (architecture and the 'canvas' used), only. I still have not named this project or the collection I am developing from it.

Geometric design has been something that's helped to build my designs, but I've tried to keep it bulky or sketchy in style to not have a fine artistic style to my work. Setting my work away from designs that only feature geometry in their work. So there is no minimalist style to the designs that make them look clean and neat. Something texture and graffiti paint isn't.

White became my palette choice after summer, to little the variety in my work and the help focus solely on the texture to develop my work. It became a feature instead. And in my final semester I have chosen to stick with it- only applying some amounts of grey or black due to the influence of materials and my theme of snow. Allowing for some experimenting with other materials not available in brilliant shades of white. 

The main issue I've faced is in sourcing white materials - due to the fact that I am avoiding most optic whites and cream shades so my work does not appear to look 'dirty' or mismatched. I have seen some of my work in natural light outside the studio and the differences can be seen very well because I am using white. Online sourcing is kind of scary and the studio is not stocked with many choices for those who are nit-picking. Though this has led to more experimentation on my part, and built on my development for colour matching and palette selection.

In a later post I'll cover my research points, issues and sketchbook to allow a more detailed view of the projects development. Also I will cover where this project is going. However my aim is to use this work to develop fashion wear for young women, 16+, for a mid-high end target audience. So higher than high-street fashion. This lets me create fabrics and see how they can be used for garments in my own collection. So design can be affected by use, rather than creating a collection selecting suitable fabric/s.

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My project of no name

G.O : Clothes I love .............

Getting. On : Clothes I love .....

1. My batwing jumper - from my sister, deep blue and knitted
2. Jeans - I would wear them only if I could find the perfect pair
3. Boys checked shirts - yes  wear both women's' and men's' shirts
4. T-shirts - again women's and men's
5. Converse - I love the classic black high tops
6. My cardigans -  will probably wear them till they are in pieces
7. My purple heels, I bought on sale, and they are my favourite shade
8. My bright red, designer coat - asymmetrical, knee length and bought on sale
9. Vintage shirts - Not ancient, and the 5 I have are polyester. 
10. My scarf, I love my light purple silk scarf that's very long, but light

I love my wardrobe, and I have a few pieces which make me feel great, like most people. I have some that are new and others that are older. I know that not everything is perfect for my ' body type', but they are comfortable and loveable for reasons other than making me look great.


As for the next list I will be going with the theme of Photography.
Thank you for reading.
Enjoy  XXX

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G.O : Clothes I love .............

Trend report 2, 2013

We've got white, floral and the geometrics are still in style - with the checks and stripes, as big as chunky as possible.
We've got the shine without sequins and a lot of chioce in Bomber jackets soon.
Finally people areen't saying black is the colour for Spring, I know people will wear it but its not a colour theme for Spring, its an easy choice.


All from Company and marie and other magazines from January and February I will name course of, as they aren't my images.

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Trend report 2, 2013