The Twist! and Spec Sheet

Once I had made my pattern for my trousers, sourced my hook fastening and zip, my teacher added a twist to our pattern cutting session. We had to sew togehter someone elses trousers! Names were selected out of a hat.
I thought this would be a hard thing to do, but actually once I got started constructing my friend Amy's trousers, I became confident in what I was doing. Because they are someone elses trousers, I felt a little bit of pressure to get them made to a high standard, however I do feel I achieved this well.
Also, to make a garment, you need to create a spec sheet (specification sheet). On here is where all the information goes which is essential to have in order to make up the garment. Even down the the smallest details have to be displayed somewhere on the sheet. Mine included a sketch of what my trousers will look like, measurements such as waistband, inside leg, thigh width, leg opening and back and front rise. I also included a fabric swatch. If I were to give this sheet to a machinist, he or she would know everything about the trousers. Any missing information can obviosusly distort the way the trousers are produced resulting in a reject product.

 

 

(my spec sheet)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(my photographs taken of finished trousers at uni)

 

 

From these images here, you can see that I have made my trouser pattern just a little too small because the zip does not do up when the trousers are on the mannequin. I will learn from this to check the pattern and measurements before the fabric is cut. I am very pleased with the machinist, Verishua (another friend from uni) and how she has constructed these following my design and spec sheet. I obviously communicated all of my ideas well in order for them to turn out just how I wanted!

 

For each person who makes someone elses trousers, we had to fill out a feedback form. This is where you can write positive and negative points when making the other persons trousers.

 

I felt that making someone elses trousers was a very helpful process. At first, I didnt really want to make anyone elses trousers, I wanted to make my own! However looking back, I feel this was a really good process to go through. It has definately helped me to remember what to include on a pattern as this is so important in making a garment such as grainlines and to notch all the areas that need notches and not just some of them. I have learnt that it is so worth double checking everything like measurements etc because these are essential. Just the smallest details will make the biggest difference.

 

I feel that the construction process I carried out was very good and to a high standard. Keeping to a time scale, I did take my time in making Amy's trousers because I wanted to make them well, however not take weeks about it. Here are a few images to show the finished garment I made.

 

 

Front

 

Back

 

Back Welt Pockets

 

Side Seam Pocket

 

 

(All of these images are 100% my own work. Photographs taken on my phone at uni)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Final Trouser Design

After researching into trousers, I have come up with my final design. I have designed a slim leg trouser with hook fastening on the waist tab and a zip fly. I selected my fabric from a market. The fabric I chose was blue and white striped.

 

 

(my own design)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pattern Cutting & Garment Manufacture

The first project in the pattern cutting and garment manufacture unit was to design and make a pair of trousers. One of my strengths is garment manufacture so I love this part of the course. I love seeing my designs come from my head, onto paper in my sketchbook and then made into a garment. So, to enable me to begin designing, it is essential for me to begin research. I visited the mall and had a look around some well known high street stores such as Topshop and New Look. I took some photographs on my phone so I could refer back to these images when designing.

 

(my own photographs taken on my phone)

 

 

 

From carrying out the photograph research in high street stores, I feel confident enough to begin designing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Methods of Reflection Within a Journal

Reflective learning is something that my university puts into practice within all of the Art and Design courses, mine being Fashion Design. It helps us to learn from what we experience within our practice and research. Reflective writing is used by many professions at many levels, it allows us to create a deeper understanding of practice and thus learn and develop. I also use a journal to combine reflective writing with my research to bridge the gap between theory and practice. To add to my journal, I have also created a SWOT analysis where I will talk about my strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, to help me understand what I'm good at and what I'm not so good at. This could help me produce my own targets to hit throughout the year and also help me to gain confidence in my work as I tend to put down my work.

STRENGTHS
-Experience in design and pattern cutting after gaining a MMM grade from completing a two year Fashion and Clothing BTEC course
-Good organisational skills
-Have previously worked to deadlines so used to feeling the pressure
-Garment construction

WEAKNESSES
-Don't fulfill my full potential when I don't keep on top of time management

OPPORTUNITIES
-Take extra classes to broaden skills within my area of practice.

THREATS
-Time!

So, my first step is to choose a model of reflection to use when writing about my work. There are so many to choose from but I have one in mind that I think works best for me. I am going to be using the Rolfe et al (2001) What?, So What?, Now What? framework for reflective practice.

Hello Blogging World!

In this modern world of technology, you'd think a 19 year old fashion student would know about blogging. Well this isn't the case for me! I have heard of blogging before but have never actually got round to researching into what they are to get a better understanding of what they're all about. However, after doing the research, creating a blog now is something I am definately going to do (obviously). As I am studying fashion, keeping a blog like this will help me keep all my thoughts, inspiration, photographs and sketches all in one place, like an online journal. It will be my space for a reflective journal, where I shall discuss my current projects, any ideas that I have and inspirational material. I am glad to be up to date with all this online stuff, finally! :)