3/4/17
I started the day off with hand stitching a collar onto a shirt. I found this task difficult to start with as i had reached half way and realised i hadn't been pulling the threads tight enough to secure the fabric in place. This resulted in me unpicking and re hand stitching the shirt on the inside making sure i was doing tighter stitches. This was a learning exercise, as i gained practice into hand stitching and technique. Stitching round the corners was where i had the most difficulty as the fabric pulled and i didn't want a gap or a pull.
I then was introduced to the laser cut machine by my 3rd yr as she was cutting out letters for a zip hanging piece. This involved using the computer to create text, playing around with different fonts and sizes and editing letters to have holes for where the key chain loop would hang. This was all done with the help of 3d technicians, but took some time re jiggling letters and sizing. I really enjoyed helping to laser cut the letters as i hadn't known about this facility we could use.
I also was then introduced to the print room where i helped my 3rd yr dye their fabric. This included placing their fabric in the washing machine with a package of their chosen dye. I then made sure i set an alarm for a timer on my phone so i remembered when to go down to the print room to take out the fabric to hang to dry.
Going into different studio room facilities such as using the laser cutter and the print room to dye the fabric introduced me to new machinery i hadn't seen or used before.
After lunch i created a pattern for a cap for my third year. I had never created a pattern for accessories and without a block. This increased my skills and knowledge of pattern cutting. This included using a cap in front of me and taking measurements and size of curves to create a pattern. My 3rd yr showed me how i should do this exercise and was there for any questions. The difficulty i had with this flat pattern i was creating from using the block of an actual cap in front of me was making sure i had created the right curve. My 3rd year mentored me as to how to get the curve right, by eye and measurements.
I really enjoyed this exercise, and it is a very useful skill to use for future patterns.
I then made alterations to my 3rd yrs puffa jacket pattern. This included shortening sides and lengths etc and curving edges.
I was overall very happy with my first day interning and have already within a days work learnt so many new skills and techniques.
4/3/17
I began my day by arriving at University at 9 AM. I brought my laptop in as i knew my first job was to do some styling research. After my 3rd yr had showed me what she has made so far and told me her concept, i felt confident to begin pinning and researching.
I was looking specifically for styling for a 'chavvy, trendy alternative guy'. I looked closely at details of jewellery- including gold rings, chains, trainers, socks and how they are tucked into tracksuits etc, clothes and accessories such as hats/bags.
I found the key to researching of these styling ideas was to use many different key words to cover all areas of research on styling. These words included 'chavvy guy styling', 'alternative chav', 'chav styling' etc.
I found many images on styling looking on google and pinterest. I really enjoyed doing this research for my 3rd year as it lead us both to knew ideas and thoughts on styling.
This image was mine, my 3rd yr and the tutors favourite image i collected. So i was happy they liked my imagery/ styling ideas that i had found.
My 3rd year even ended up making similar inspired black et look tracksuit type bottoms inspired by this imagery.
I then made alterations to my 3rd years puffa jacket Toile, from the pattern i had altered yesterday. This included taking both sides in by 8 cm. I was nervous to stitch on my 3rd years toile, but it went well! The new measurements that i had altered the pattern and then the toile by worked out.
I then had the excitement of participating in a 3rd yr's fitting. This was very beneficial as it gave me an incite into what is expected at this stage in 3rd year.
I realised how important it is to make sure you bring all your samples, sketchbook work and garments in progress to your fittings. The more you bring.. the more there is to talk about and get opinions and expertise on.
It was great to see the garments styled on the models and it all coming together. There were minor alterations to do to the garments. I took charge of measuring the green shorts on the model where Gaia had pinned them in. I then did these alterations to the pattern as they were a bit loose on the model at the back.
I have really enjoyed these past two days working with Gaia on her 'up cycled collection' and have learnt new techniques and skills to researching thoroughly, pattern cutting and styling.
I then was given the task to prepare a base for my 3rd year to embroid onto. I had to create 6 A4 sized double backed with wadded fabric pieces, ready for my 3rd yr to do her embroidery on. I stitched them individually, then altogether, to create a big square.
Finally i went out and sourced buttons, dyes and poppers for my 3rd year.
5/4/17
Today i began the day with doing samples with my 3rd year for her final collection. These included embroidery and tacking.
I had a go at doing my own tacking sample with the help of my 3rd yr. I have never used embroidery or this tacking method so it opened my options and skills up to new ideas.
I was shown the room where the embroidery is done and how to create the pattern for the machinery. This was a fun experience and new skill to use for further use.
I then finished off altering my 3rd yr's puffa jacket pattern. This included 'dropping the sleeve', a pattern cutting skill i hadn't done before but now a gained skill to use. The difficulty i had with dropping the sleeve was again figuring out the right curve to create when doing this, and also working out how much i should drop under the arm/side seam. In the end we dropped it by 2 cm under the side seam.
At the end of the day i attended my fashion show on the 'London Project'. My 3rd yr attended this with me and it was so nice to get feedback from them on my outfit to.
6/4/17
My day started off with a trip to john lewis to source more buttons and threads for 3rd yrs.
I then did some online research and phoning around to look at styling ideas for my 3rd yr. These included looking for socks, shoes and bag ideas.
I also did research for the style of a military vest for my 3rd year to make.
I found two pairs of trainers online so visited in store to see what they looked like in person. One was in asda, the other in sports direct.
My 3rd year really liked the sports direct ones i found, and ended up ordering them to try and out with her styled looks.
I then helped another 3rd year in the afternoon on making the details for her designed bag. This included using a mix of different colour sheer fabrics and plastics and threading and tying them through the white mesh grid.
I did this piece constantly for 4 hours and i managed to get the bottom of the bag done. I found doing these a really fun exercise and a break from patterns.
The plastic was hard to tie so i had to make sure i cut thin layers of it in order to include it.
7/4/17
Today i did a pattern of a track jacket for my 3rd year. This included unstitching an actual track jacket and checking the sizes and measurements from that block and making personal alterations to Gaia's ideas.
This included making the cuffs and collar bigger/wider and also shortening the track jacket pattern.
Again, i have learnt a lot today on pattern cutting skills and have really enjoyed learning these new techniques for alterations.
In the afternoon I pinned down my 3rd yr's trouser pattern to the fabric, making sure I wasn't wasting much material.
I made sure i checked the pattern in the places i had pinned it onto the fabric with my 3rd yr before cutting it out.
Here i am photographed cutting out my 3rd yrs pattern that i had checked with her beforehand. As the material was very stretchy and silky and moved a lot, i first of all pinned it to an under fabric that was also going to be used for the base of the tracksuit. This helped secure the black silky fabric in place in order for easier cutting.
I then ironed my 3rd yrs fabric for her Polo Shirt that i was then to pin the pattern to and cut out. There was a technique to ironing this fabric, it was more to steam the creases out, i didn't use the weight onto the fabric but carefully skimmed it to not stretch and get funny pulls in it.
I also made sure i used tailors chalk to mark in details that my 3rd yr was to sew.
This was my last day before my easter break. I loved my first week interning with the 3rd yr's and specifically shadowing Gaia. I have gained insights into new pattern cutting skills and techniques, how to research thoroughly and new machinery that i could potentially use in the next couple of years on my garments.
Over Easter
Looked out for more styling ideas- of people- TRAINERS, SOCKS- TUCKED IN? COLOUR? GOLD RINGS?
24/4/17
Today began with an unpicking task. I first of all had to unpick the waistband on my 3rd yrs black shiny trousers. I had to be careful not to make holes in the fabric so I took extra time and caution when doing this.
I then had to unpick 2 side back panels on the trousers. But again I had to be cautious as the fabric was printed and I needed to avoid holes and rips.
I then was asked to do a bag pattern. The pattern was to be made up, but was pretty simple. It was made up of different sized rectangles. Once I had drawn the base the side panels were easier to figure out. They were just extended versions of the base panel.
I then used the patterns I had created to pin and cut out on fabric. I had to cut one at a time instead of two, folding the fabric as the fabric was thick and hard to cut through.
25/4/17
This morning was spent creating an A3 sheet guidance on how my 3rd yr models are meant to look when dressed. On each page spread I gave the number of the look, an image of the full look and close up pictures of the garment/accessory details. I also included separate pictures of the accessories.
Most importantly, was to write a step by step guideline on what goes on first/ layering and where the accessories are placed. This included saying which finger/ hand the ring should be worn on/ the way the cp should be worn etc.
26/4/17
Today my 3rd year asked me to make some bags for her to place her shoes and accessories in for the dressers for the fashion show.
I made a rectangle pattern block, to cut 6 pieces in the plastic. I realised half way through i should have done three at a time as 6 took a lot of effort to cut through.
I then stitched two of the rectangle bags together and added two fabric straps to make this tote bag.
In the afternoon, I then helped out Kathryn weave her bag. I had previously done one panel last week so there was 3 more to do!
This took a long time to complete but was fun and easy to do. I had to make sure i was using roughly the same amount of each colour of fabric to weave. The weaved fabric is secured with a loose knot. I had to weave the fabric pieces close to each other so there were no gaps in colour/fabric.
I then moved on to help with 3 other helping hands to messy stitch with vibrant colours of thread onto this wadded skirt.
I enjoyed working on this piece. At first i found it difficult to do big stitches, but in the end i got the hang of it.
28/4/17
SHOW DAY!
Today i was a dresser for the fashion show. This included a dress fitting in the morning. The fitting focused on checking the order of line up for the show and checking which clothes fit and look right on each model.
The fashion show followed slightly later where i was given a model to dress. We had about 10 outfits to change the model into, including accessories! The changes were very fast, but it was a good, tiring experience. It was lovely to be able to congratulate the 3rd yrs after the show and be apart of this experience with them, as now we know what to expect!
4/5/17
Since my third year got chosen for the Press Show there are many tasks for me. Today i created a khaki vest pattern out of my 3rd years old shirt pattern. This included skills of pattern cutting as i had to adapt an old pattern e.g shortening the front and back of the vest by 8cm.
I also sat in a tutorial which involved my 3rd year presenting her new samples to the teachers. It was interesting to hear the different opinions and options that could be applied.
5/5/17
Today i went to Brent Cross for 3 students. This included buying dyes and elastic for one, taking pictures of a bag to help with the pattern for another and the third person needed a diary to help with her thoughts and organisation.
