One project done

Jacket is done and I got a 90 for it, too. Whohoo. First time I got something over 9 this year, and in styling and couture class at that. The skirt was not up to par though. 

Still dyeing my silk. I've discarded 3 already since I wasn't satisfied with the outcome. Right now, I'm waiting for the last one to dry before painting on it. I even bought a 40"x40" canvass to use a silk canvass. 

I haven't done anything for Design Class which isn't good. I have to finish the range plan because that always takes me awhile to finish. In class, I need to do my knitting. M wanted me to do fully-fashioned garments so I had to do a bit of calculations. And recalculations. Makes me want to buy a knitting machine but that's just way out of the budget right now, especially since I have to spend a whole lot on the upcoming project in styling and couture class.

Yep, it's the dreaded ballgown. We have to present 3 designs to a panel this Wednesday. The designs have to be backed by research and must contain either a corset or petticoat or both and must have embellishments. I've already calculated how much it would cost me and it would reach about AUD500 or AUD 600 just for the main fabric. That still does not include the tulle or the other materials (i.e. boning, lining, trims, etc). Sigh.

Deadlines...

are looming. 

I thought I'd be able to finish my jacket today but my jacket had other ideas. I had to spend the entire day just trying to match up my collars so that the pointy bits are matched properly. Then when I finally managed to sew them onto the neck, their heights aren't the same. When that one got solved, one end decided it wanted to have puckers and them puckers are so stubborn. 10 minutes before the end of class, I decided to shift my attention to my sleeves. Of course, this time, they decided they want puckers as well. Haaarggh. 

Seriously!

And I so wanted to start on my kilt already. I've already sent out the registration form to the Wool Awards, not that I'm expecting to win. Initially, I wanted a wrap around skirt to go with it, but T said not to bother and just send a pair of tights. Then I re-read the rules of the contest and it stated that entries should be a complete outfit. Now I can wear a double-breasted coat and just pair it with boots and tights but since the event isn't exactly run by young fashion forward people who can appreciate the look I just described, a matching skirt had to go with it. 

So, I went back to my original idea of a wrap around skirt with a button. T said just use a waistband and have it tied on one side. I didn't like it since the jacket is fitted. Any bulge would show. Pencil style skirts? Simple but I have problems attaching invisible zips. Finally, we settled on a kilt. I still have about a metre and  a half of the wool I bought from Georgette so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that would be enough. Time to google "how to make pleats".

On other subjects, my silk painting was not happening. The water based gutta just won't play nice with them. I had to redo an entire drawing. Second one was so-so. I might have to redo it as well. Deadline, two weeks from now.

Colour matters final assignment. Who ever invented a software that won't allow you to go back several steps  is one seriously mean person. Once you get the hang of undoing everything each time, it's a bit easier but still it's such a hassle. And always framing the work before saving? Somebody tell the person, persons, or company to make their software more user friendly, please! It's a good software especially when it comes to tonal changes, draping and colour separation but these two things are it's biggest drawbacks. It takes tremendous amounts of patience to finish one project in class. If it weren't for the deadline, it would be hilarious. I've been laughing myself silly and mumbling to myself too much to cope with it. My classmates have gotten used to it and are no longer scared I could be psychotic. hehehe

To get away from it all for a bit, I'm going to watch Noche Flamenco this friday with people who are not from school. 

 

Silk Painting

I looove how the colours just bleed!

Still on the experimental phase. Will see how it goes.

Updates on Knitwear and Tailored Jacket

Soo...in knitwear, we're using knitting machines from the 1970s. The ones where you move your hand right to left while the yarn gets knitted. First time I used it, all my knitting was soo bad. 2nd time, I had awesome results even when I used the punch cards. Then when someone else started using the machine, their knitting got wrecked. Temperamental machines. At least, we're not doing any hand knitting.

Things I learned in knitting. In doing the toile, think in terms of rectangles. Don't force the fabric to work like woven fabrics because it won't do. Let the fabric drape as it wants. Learn what types of ply and yarns there are before buying any yarns. The last one is for me to remember since we'll be buying our yarns next week. I don't really like merino wool. I prefer yarns that are soft like cashmere. I'll have to watch my budget though. Note to self: do not waste wool.

For the tailored jacket. I finished my toile. I finished cutting my fabrics. Done with the fusing as well. Learned another valuable lesson: Think before cutting the fabric. Sigh. Not only did I cut the wrong side but I also ran out of fabric and Clegs doesn't sell the red wool I wanted anymore. A boink in the head for me.

Wasn't exactly a disaster since T, my teacher, told me to just use the reverse of the cut fabric. So, that's that. 

Oh, and must deal with the different shades of my wool. I burnt the wool on my back panels so T said we'll have to burn the other panels as well for consistency. But that's for when I've finished everything and would just be doing the final press. Sigh. Continue pad stitching...

Fabric Buying

Spent a lot buying fabrics. I already bought about a metre and a half of black Italian wool but I wasn't sure it would be enough. Also, there were patches where the wool was "damaged" in some way. Since it was a remnant of a private collection and it was being sold dirt cheap, literally, at AUD10.00 per metre, it wasn't a bad bargain. In the end, I got the remaining roll for AUD5.00.

But I was still worried it wouldn't be enough for my tailored jacket so I went with E, V and R to check out this wool place in Richmond. Talk about "Whoah!". The place had so much wool to choose from. And they allow students to purchase even though they were a wholesale business (from what I gathered). Anyway, I bought 3 metres of wool/cashmere (80% wool and 20% cashmere). I wanted the 97% cashmere/ 3% wool combination but at AUD89.00 per metre, it was way out of my budget. Sigh. 

I just love fabric places especially those with lovely natural fibre fabrics. They're just so great to be in. 

Done!

Yey! Presentation was yesterday. I liked the knitwear. They were so cool.

I didn't like mine. It was just not good enough for me. I'm hoping to do better in knitwear.

I did like my ad boards. They were the only ones I was proud of. heheheh

Here are some that I liked.

Some of the knits

Viviana's macrame swimwear

Ruki's lounging around the pool swimwear

Lingerie Project Update

It's 1:26 in the morning. I'm taking a break from  drawing since my hands were getting tired and stiff from all that drawing.

I finished sewing the garments, but I still need to do a bit of cleaning up. However, half of the requirement is done. Now, I just need to finish the range book. This should've been done loooong ago when I was still relaxed and didn't have much to do. Unfortunately, I was plain lazy and now am suffering the consequences.

For the past two weeks of what was supposed to be a school holiday, I, along with a small group have been going to school as early as 9 in the morning and leaving at 8.30 in the evening sewing, overlocking, babylocking, threading overlockers. By the second week, too many late nights have caught up with us and we started belting out old (Tom Jones old) songs just to amuse ourselves.

Seriously, too many late nights are not good for my skin. I easily get dark circles under my eyes and I tend to resemble a raccoon minus the fur. I don't have break outs yet but I'm not looking forward to having them. 

Okay, break over. Back to work.