I've been sewing up a storm, readers.
Up top is a sneak preview of my latest shirt, made from a beautiful Swiss dot print, which Michael will model on the Mood Sewing Network on Thursday (I'll provide a link). I'm working on a pair of shorts to go with it, made from red and white striped linen (below). I hope to finish them tomorrow morning before class.
My patternmaking class at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) ends next Tuesday, though it seems like it just started. That's also the day our final project is due. We're to make a jacket and coordinating pants, both garments made from muslin and black cotton fabric. The jacket needs to have a notched collar (which we're learning how to draft tomorrow) and either a dolman sleeve or a "creative" gusset design. I'm opting for the dolman. Below is the sketch I came up with this morning. It may change in the next few days; we'll see.
We learned how to draft a dolman sleeve yesterday; today we covered gussets. This class moves fast!
I presented my raglan-sleeve jacket project in class yesterday and got very positive feedback from my professor. I'm not the best designer in the class imo, but I'm probably the strongest sewer. Most of these kids aren't experienced sewers so they aren't able to produce what they design very effectively. Facings, clean finishes, things like that, are challenging if you've never sewn them before, but we're required to include them.
In closing, I have lots to accomplish in the next week but I'm very excited about it. I'm also looking forward to a break before my fall classes begin. (More about those later.)
Have a great day, everybody!
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I can't say that I have much respect for a designer who does not know how things go together. Drawing a pretty picture is not designing if the garment cannot be assembled properly. I heard a story a few years ago about a budding designer who insisted that a pair of pants could be assembled without a center seam.
ReplyDeleteMaybe yoga pants with super low crotch? ;-)
DeletePants without a front seam? Not impossible. Ever seen a unitard without a front seam? It's easy in Lycra you say, correct. In wovens you can do it by darting the center front into a gusset like I did for client who wanted MMA shorts without a front seam. As designers and pattern makers we should always be prepared to think outside our comfortable box.
DeletePeter!
ReplyDeleteWow, wow, Wow! I am amazed at your accomplishments and how far you have come. You are truly an inspiration in getting myself into more sewing. The jacket is beautiful and so is the shirt print. I can't wait to see the final projects. Enjoy your break!
Happy Sewing,
A(nonymous)
The jacket is amazing. Love that sleeve detail.
ReplyDeleteI'm interested in the reasons why your teacher is having you incorporate these specific details such as the dolman vs. a 'creative gusset.'
ReplyDeleteAnd the jacket looks great. Do you sew assignments in the classroom or do you do all/most of your work on your own domestic machines? One more question (sorry): do you prefer to sew a muslin using actual muslin or does it depend upon the intended drape of the final garment? I assume you're required to use muslin for the class...
Basically these are exercises for us, so our professor wants us to try as many styles as we can, and we're encouraged to be as creative as we want. I generally sew at home, it's much more convenient for me and I have everything I need close at hand. The industrial machines are great but speedy and harder for me to control.
DeleteI like sewing with muslin and there are many different weights available. Some drape beautifully, some are stiff: it all depends on the type of garment you're designing. For the jacket I posted above, I used stiff muslin; for the dropped-shoulder top from a few weeks ago, I used softer muslin.
Wow...you have been working at breakneck speed. Beautiful work!
ReplyDeleteAh, gussets! I must retire to my fainting couch!
ReplyDeleteI love that detail in the sleeve!
ReplyDeleteThey're both beautiful creations, you should be proud. It must be gratifying to get positive feedback from people who understand how hard all of this is.
ReplyDeleteYou know maybe I'm just old fashioned, but I cannot understand how anyone who would go through the trouble of learning to design clothes doesn't show as much interest in their construction. I have the highest respect for a designer who can sew a garment beautifully. It's seems odd now, that in the old days, designers like Christian Dior could only sketch and get by with the help of paid staff, but anyone today who is learning in a classroom has no excuse.
ReplyDeleteYour fan-base awaits,your next creation, one of those thorough, and thoroughly delightful blog posts, and your comments.
DeleteWhere have you been??
Now, now, no pressure!
DeleteYes, that's right no pressure! LOL! I'm right on top of all of Peter's posts as always Test!
DeleteRandom pattern matching request. Could you snap a picture of the striped linen shorts with the reverse print tractor shirt? I don't expect Michael to model...tossed near each other on the couch or ironing board would be fine. Thanks. Have an image stuck in my head...Maggie
ReplyDeleteThat's so funny: Michael just told me today he'd tried them on together and liked them. I'll snap a shot later this week!
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