Feature on the bodice- colour clash?

I have been out and bought the final fabric for my garment, however I wasn't sure if the colours would clash or be too intense. I also wasn't sure how to hide the raw edges whilst keeping the volume and desired effect.

Feature for my bodice

Above I have created a quick sample of the feature for my bodice so I can see if the colours work well together. I feel that, although these colours are very intense, they will work as it tie's in well with my theme, and I will be using black for the  majority of my garment.

Experimentation one

Above is an example of the sampling of my bodice, I sewed the material together inside out to hide the raw edges. I don't like this technique as I feel it takes away the volume and ruin's my desired effect.

Experimentation two

Above is another example of the sampling of my bodice. To create this effect, I have sewn two different pieces of fabric together so that the raw edges are concealed, yet it does not take away from the volume. I personally prefer this effect and think I will use it for my final garment.

The last of my sampling and the start of my patterning and creating of the toile :)

So today I have managed to complete all of my sampling, and have now moved onto creating my toile. :)

For the last of my sampling, I have looked at the skirt area, and the gathering at the bottom. I originally gathered the outer layer, and the three layers of netting, but I don't feel that this is visually appealing, so I think on my actual design I will just have one layer of netting, and just gather the outer layer.

I then moved on to creating my patterns for the front and back bodice section. I used a close fitting bodice block, and altered the pattern pieces with design lines whilst it was on the mannequin.

Front bodice pattern with my design lines on.

Back bodice pattern with my design lines on.

 I then cut out my new pattern's out of Calico, and took in the darts. I feel that this part of my design is very simple and easy to create as it is so basic.

Front bodice



Back bodice

I have began to create the strips of fabrics to hold the front and back bodice together at the sides, they will measure two centimetres in width and be cut on the bias grain, however I will be completing these tomorrow.
I feel that today has been successful, as I have been able to complete my sampling.

Sampling of the sleeve

Today I began to sample the sleeve for my final design, i felt that this would be a difficult area because the sleeve is divided into sections and held together by two pieces of fabrics.

My sleeve design.

I began by tracing around a sleeve pattern piece, from this I divided the pattern into 8cm sections, leaving gaps were sleeve would not be needed. I ended up with three pattern pieces.

my pattern pieces for sleeve.

 Cut out smaller strips of fabrics on the bias grain to hold the bigger sections together. I decided that I would interface one section of the sleeve to see wether or not this would be better. 

Sampling of my sleeve.

The middle section is the interfaced section, I feel that it works better when interfaced as the fabric hold it's structure and it is more visually appealing. I found this sampling very tedious, however I'm glad that I have done it as I could have fixed any issues, and I feel more confident with my chosen design now.

My day as a stylist!

Today we had Jemma Sawyer, a former student of the college and a well-known stylist come in to talk to us about her career.
She set us a challenge to do in pairs. We were asked to create a mood board to inspire a 'What's hot' page about clothing for Festivals, for Look magazine.

Our mood board, music festival's.

We began by looking into various music festivals and Coachella, this lead us to look at celebrities such as Alexa Chung, Lily Allen and Maria and the diamonds. Our clothing and accessories would be taken from high street shop's such as New Look, Topshop, Accessorize and ASOS, as Look is more of a high street magazine. The make up is inspired by an image of Lily Allen, and we would use Barry M as they have a selection of glittery eyeshadows.
I feel that this experience has made me realise how much you have to take into consideration as a stylist, I don't feel that it is as easy as it looks.

started sampling

Today I have started sampling my final design from a previous post, I have found four possible problem area's, which are the side section, the decorative fabric attached to the bodice, the sleeve and creating volume around the waist. I have sampled the side section today, and feel that my first sample was successful, so I will use this technique for my final garment. I have also began to sample the fabric attached to the bodice, looking at other designer's work to help me.

-Picture of side section-

I was originally thinking of using elastic to hold the front and back section of the bodice together, however I feel that this would fall into a fad/high street category so I have decided to instead use a fabric strip.

-Picture of designers decorative fabric maybe?-

^^^ If so: I have chosen to look at these features as I feel they are similar to what i would like to create, and they are very effective visually.

Pattern Cutting: Straight and bais grain dresses

In my pattern cutting lesson, I have created two V neck dresses, one cut on the straight grain and one cut on the bias grain.

Cut on the straight grain, front view

Cut on the straight grain, back view

Cut on the bias grain, front view

Cut on the bias grain, back view

I felt that the dress cut on the straight grain was definitely a lot easier to complete as the dress cut on the bias grain kept stretching and twisting as I was sewing, the dress cut on the straight grain did not. I think that my dress on the straight was succesful, however the bias dress could use a bit of improvement with accurate sewing and fit, I had to unpick a lot of mistakes.
I have learnt that when sewing a dress cut on the bias grain, that you cannot pull it through the machine, you have to very gently feed it through to avoid it stretching and therefor looking mishapen.

Pattern cutting: My shirt

In my pattern cutting lessons, I have created a shirt with a pocket, button stand, collar, cuffs and a yoke.

Front

Back

Pocket

Sleeve

Collar

Cuff

I feel that I struggled most with the collar and the cuff's, I struggled to sew neatly and accurately. However I unpicked some of my stitching and did it again to make it appear neater and more professional. I feel that the pocket was quite simple, a lot easier than I was expecting, which I was happy about. :)
I feel that the rest of the shirt was relatively straight forward to complete. I think that my shirt was successful, although I came across a few difficulties, I believe that I can improve on these with practise.