Pocket Samples

This week the workshops were focused on pocket samples. We're all expected to put pockets into our collections.
We practiced: one-piece jetted, welted, invisible patch and the vent (which isn't a pocket, but nevermind!)
I found the jetted quite fiddley, but that was probably because it was the first try. The invisible patch was pretty difficult too, but it looked so nice and neat when I'd finished. I don't think there are any of the pockets that I wouldn't consider for my collection.

We also had a little session on Kaledo, part of the Lectra program. It was fantastic! We had a little play with the symmetry tool, creating a working drawing for a t-shirt and it seemed so much easier than using the pen tool on Adobe Illustrator. Am definately going to consider using this program more in the future!

Jacket Process

We've been working on our jackets, today we finished. It was definately easier than I thought it would be, I will definately be making a jacket in my collection. Here's a few photos of the process involved in making the jacket:

Placement Presentation

Today we each had a presentation slot of five minutes to discuss placements and what I want to do in the future.
In May I completed a two-week placement with Pacific Textured Jersey, a fabric company based in London, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong. The women I worked with showed me how they ran the company, communicating with the factories and clients, organising archives of fabrics, scouting future clients etc. The main company they work with is Marks and Spencer, so I found myself visiting the head office to meet with head buyers of the lingere and loungewear department. It was interesting to see how important people like that acted in a meeting, I found most people I met to be quite nice. I learnt a lot on my placement about how fabrics are put together, dyed and printed and how the company works and deals with clients. It was a really interesting experience, but I have decided for the future that I do not want to work solely with fabrics.
In the near future I have decided that I am going to continue on with the course and complete the 3rd year top-up. I will do a three month placement at the beginning of the year and go on to create another collection before completing the course to BA standard. I will then go on to find a job, preferably within design but I'm open to changing my mind at this present moment.

When I did the presentation I started with:
'Neither of my parents went to uni. Neither of them have done anything to be especially proud of and neither have fantastic jobs. Both of them put a lot of pressure on me and put me down whenever I do something wrong. It hurts sometimes, but at the end of the day I know that all they're trying to do is make sure I don't make the same mistake as they do.'
I have included this because my tutor made a comment after the session about how she thought that was an intersting way to start a presentation and she really liked it.

An interesting item to work with...

In PPRD we split into groups and received the brief for the teamwork project.
Each group were given an item from MoDiP (Museum of Design in Plastics) to use as a starting point for researching and marketing our own brand. I consider myself stronger in design and colour, so this will be my main role, but I completed an A Level in Business so I feel I can also help with the marketing role.
Our object is quite interesting. We've decided it could be a butter dish, cake container or a dustpan from the 50's. We're all going to split up and research into 50's kitchen products and record our findings on our team blog.
Here's our object:

Jumping straight in...

Straight away we've started with the jacket project, on to the pattern cutting. After last year, this wasn't too hard as we've already learnt the skills. There are 18 pieces, which is a lot more than we've ever worked with before. I think overall the process is going to be quite easy.

I am worried about struggling with the drapery part of this project. I've never had to work with something so free before. I think when it comes to starting my garment, I'll have to put the worry aside and think about how interesting it will be throughout the process.

A new year, a new start.

So, this is the start to my second year of studies on the FdA Fashion course at the Arts University College at Bournemouth.
My first year was scary, exciting, confusing, stressful and fulfilling. I hadn't known what to expect, but I think my experiences so far exceed my expectations anyway.
After receiving the first briefs for the second year, I feel it's going to be just as scary, exciting, confusing, stressful and fulfilling as the last.
Let the year begin!