Happy Friday! How are you all doing? I’m here with the first update on my second Semester of Fashion School. We started a few weeks ago and I have to say, I’m pleased with the way everything is going. Considering that my first runway is in a few short weeks, I’m not feeling overwhelmed at the moment. Everything feels smooth and routine. I’m excited to see how all my work will turn out over the next three months.
Here is where I stand as of February 12, 2016:
Pattern Drafting II: The second semester focus is on bottoms, so we’ve been drafting skirts for the past couple weeks. The first week’s Assignment was about shaping darts at the waist (since we’re only learning how to draft for woven fabric). This past week we drafted entire sheath, insert, and peasant skirts, as well as a waistband. Although these are not my favorite styles, I’ve received 100% on both assignments! I think it might just be the length of all our patterns; I’m just not a fan of shapeless mid-length mom skirts. I’m looking forward to moving on from these exercises.
Pattern Draping II: Our first couple assignments have been repeats of the peplum dress from last semester (minus the peplum). We’re finally going to learn the proper industry way to transfer a muslin drape into soft patterns and then oak tag. I finished both week’s exercises pretty quickly since we’ve done this all before. Plus, I enjoy draping. I’m finding that everything is much easier when I don’t overwork or overthink. I trust my skills enough at this point to work on autopilot in all my classes.
Apparel Construction II: We kicked off our first week by going over the pattern cards for a blazer that’ll be part of our collection at the end of this semester (not revealing my inspiration yet). I was super picky about the color and content of my fabric, so I ended up getting all my primary fabric and lining at Britex. It was expensive as fuck. Will I regret this later on? Possibly, but I feel like I deserve it and the blazer will fit me. Worst case scenario, I can recycle the fabric. So far everything looks great. I’m confident enough in my sewing skills.
Apparel Design & Sketching II: Croquis! I’m using my 9-head for our assignments. We don’t have creative control over her proportions right now, so everyone is stuck using the same ridiculous mannequin body. Last week’s assignment was a warm-up for illustrations. We focused on sleeves and one garment had to be white. I ended up drawing this bodysuit…thing. My sleeve was supposed to be a “modified” Marie sleeve, constrained with rope. I gave her a unibrow. Not too happy with the muddiness of the colors. I’ll have to work on my blending skills. My weapons of choice were Copic markers and Prisma colored pencils.
Textiles: Definitely something I need to learn more about. We opened the semester by discussing a bit about fabric reps and swatch cards. I appreciate that my instructor teaches us about sustainable textiles every chance he gets. Last week we had a guest speaker who showed us a collection of raw hair and fur that she uses for spinning / wet felting from her solar powered home in the middle of nowhere. Very inspiring! I far too materialistic to live that kind of life, but spinning looks so relaxing, I’d like to give it a try some day.
Until next time! I’ll probably check in again at the end of March / beginning of April.
Fashion School Update 1 / Fashion School Update 2
Follow my friend Gwen on her fashion school adventures!
Previously: Vintage Comme des Garçons and my blue bob in Lands End
Elsewhere: Depop | Facebook | Bloglovin | Instagram | Twitter
