My collection altogether

After a rollercoaster of a year and through many stressful periods, I can happily say that I am really proud of myself for what I have achieved. I have always doubted myself that whatever I produce would never be good enough, but I have worked hard and put a lot of time, effort and money into this project and I couldn't be more pleased. The final fashion show went really well too. I was pleased with how I manged the running order and the music at the last minute due to a few hiccups, but nevertheless it was a brilliant show and I couldn't pick a group or tutor better than the ones I have!

Thank you :) 

Top and Skirt

For my skirt I decided to make it a simple pencil skirt that would be fitted. I didn't want to over complicate structures and detail as my print was the main focus of my collection. 

I wanted to add more of my concept of architecture to my collection, and I really enjoyed looking into reflection, so I decided to use clear PVC. It gives a reflective shine and is see through which was the perfect representation to glass. 

I didn't make a toile for both my skirt and trousers. My skirt simply because I had made one last year and the shape of it is was really simple, there was nothing I felt i needed to practice on. With my top, I decided on the shape and details the day before the show, so I had to make something up quickly and therefore didn't need a toile.

My top was created in one day and I felt it was fairly obvious that it was rushed more than the others as I couldn't finish the top properly using a binder so had to improvise by sewing it myself. I decided to use a blouse block, remove the darts and shorten it to create a crop top. I managed to make a quick toile that unfortunately ripped so that I could fit it to my models measurements. I then cut the shoulders from the pattern to create a separate piece that would be made from the leather to attach to the printed fabric.

I was really pleased with how well this top turned out considering how rushed it was, and it looked really good on the model. Next time I would plan my time differently and make sure I had adjusted patterns professionally and to a good standard, plus use the correct finishing. 

Trousers

My trousers are more print focused! I kept the shape simple (drainpipe).. which you find on buildings! I added detail by attaching 6 zips; one on each ankle, fly zip, and three pockets. 

Before creating my actual trousers, a toile was supposed to be down, however I didn't leave myself enough time, after not planning my time carefully and just had to go for it and make them. I managed to do a pocket toile though.

Zipper Pocket

Fly Zip

Pocket bag on reverse of trouser leg

It was very stressful making the trousers, the parts that turned out the best was doing the pockets, I was very pleased with these, however doing the fly zip was not my strength! I kept forgetting how to do each part, even though I had asked my tutor several times and written it down! My trousers were made from cotton canvas also, which meant that it frayed a lot even though I overlocked it, so some parts have come apart. 

When it came to finishing my trousers, I had to attach a wasitband. I didn't get chance to ask my tutor how to make one so I was recommend some tutorials on youtube.

How To Sew A Classic Waistband

CRAFTOVISION

So following these tutorials I added my waistband, however it frayed so much that some of it became unattached, so I re-sewed the waistband and overlocked the edge to prevent it from fraying. 

Another problem/ unlucky situation was that the button hole machine was not working, so before the show the trousers did not have a completed fastening, so they were supposed to be pinned together, however my model was so rushed getting dressed that it was left undone, but luckily it wasn't very noticeable. 

Here are my trousers: