Nature.Textiles.Fashion

Here is the outcome of the aqua-film piece I've been working on. I was really worried the details in this piece would get lost once the aqua-film was dissolved, but it was a very successful piece. Which is making me consider doing a few more aqua-film samples, maybe even on a larger scale of about 2 meters.

Before







































After

Update: Things I've been working on

Recently I've been super busy with work, with only 3 weeks left till my first project is due in, my final major project to think about and preparing my portfolio for my degree interviews. Its all a little overwhelming, but I do work well under pressure so my hair isn't falling out (yet).

So here's a few things I've been working on for my current project and for my portfolio.







































Fashion and Textiles installation piece, free hand embroidery on aqua-film. My vision for this piece is a spring photo shoot, possibly shot in a studio on a plain white background or on an old mossy wall. when this aqua-film dissolves it looks very good on bare skin so this is something I want to explore in the photo shoot, very excited about this piece.














































Changed my style of illustrating my fashion sketches, this change was mostly influenced by David Downton and Stina Persson. Before I used to follow ready made fashion templates for my sketches, but now I do them free hand, and it's so refreshing because I feel like it's all my own work and style. YAY!







































































Also more layering samples with print and fabrics, these pieces are screen prints on sheer cotton and overlay of organza that I've stitched into to make a tartan pattern. Tartan fabric has been a big part of my current project, I really love how well some prints work on tartan fabric.

But there's more to come. This week I have a lot of tidying up to do in my sketchbook and some A1 sheets to do for my portfolio. And then start planning my final piece which I have notes for in the back of my mind for now.
Toodles for now :)

My sewing machine: Janome 2200XT

This is what my first pay check bought me, MONEY WELL SPENT!
This is the best sewing machine I've had so far, it's perfect for beginner sewers and super easy to use.
The price was pretty incredible too!
£99, I got this bad boy for but with the raise in VAT the price has gone up to £120.
I bought my sewing machine at this shop http://www.franknutt.co.uk/
in Kings Heath. They sell so many amazing sewing machines and if you're lucky you might get a good student deal :p

Oh and since I've been recently addicted to freehand embroidery, I've been able to do some at home on my lovely new machine. It also has a few decorative and utility stitches such as overcasting for neatening edges of raw material, knit stitch which is great for when sewing swimwear and stretch straight stitch really good if you want seams that don't rip easily. And of course it came with the basic accessories such as:
-zipper foot
-hemmer foot
-sliding buttonhole foot
-satin stitch foot
-overcasting foot
-bobbins
-set of machine needles
-seam ripper
-screwdriver large and small
-hem guide
-machine oil
So if you're buying a new sewing machine it's good to ask if it comes with these standard accessories because you don't want to spend more money on basic sewing necessities after you've just bought a sewing machine. It's also a good idea to try the sewing machine before buying, shops have demo machines on display so you can try as many as you want before making up your mind.

Yes!! It's a new year...

Sure we're all really excited about the New Year and why shouldn't we be. It's a new year, we can forget all the pain, dissapointment and all round crap that happened the previous year.











I'm super excited about this year. Lots of optimism in the atmosphere for 2011!
Things I'm excited about this year...
+ Buying my new sewing machine in 3 days!
+ Working on some great fashion projects (more on that later)
+ Sewing more and making more jewellery
+ SPRING! ♥
+ SUMMER!! ♥ But as I've learnt I can't always plan things because life rarely goes to plan, so I dont't have a plan for this year. I just have a list of ideas. Ideas of things I would like to achieve.

Things I will miss about 2010
+ The summer I had, just awesome for so many reasons
+ Being 19, bloody hell I'm 20 this year! I felt so much younger last year, as I do every year :)
Hmm I guess thats it not much to miss.

my addiction...

Since I did the first aqua-film sample I've been pretty much addicted to it and the free hand sewing machine foot. That little thing gives you so much freedom with your sewing machine. It's like drawing with your sewing machine. Awesome!!

I've been pretty adventurous with the samples I'm creating now that I'm comfortable with using the free hand

foot.

So my project is based on Japanese print, so I've been doing some simple floral motifs that look like cherry blossoms in Spring time Japan. And also have a mash of Moroccan Rabat embroidery which also celebrates a passion for flowers. And I have a massive love for floral motifs! So it works very well for me.

Moroccan Rabat Embroidery- Image from Google

I've also developed the idea of using the free hand foot to make floral motifs by introducing different fabrics. Which also works very well and creates a stronger pattern.

For the samples below I've used Organza to sew my floral pattern. Organza was a good fabric to use because I didn't have to worry about making the stitches strong to keep the pattern visible like I had to when I used aqua-film. And I think the Organza samples would look great when layered on other prints I've done so this is a good start.

Back to work

I'm back from my holiday in Torquay, South Devon. I tried not to think about work but I've only got 1 month of summer left I still have a ton of things to do, other than working on my project. I'm happy with the progress of my work, hopefully I can keep this up and get everything done in two weeks.

Still working with hexagons, and the samples I've created from the fabrics I bought from Saints & Pinners are working fantastic. On Wednesday I'll do the photography part of my project, hopefully the weather is good and I can get some good shots.

Also today I realised I need to get back to sewing, I planned to sew some summer dresses but as always nothing ever go to plan. Maybe after I've finished this project I'll sew some cute stuff :)

Photos by Yanii Moodie, Yanii Textiles

Mon. 05.10.2010

Monday...yay...no yay?

Okay so the plan for today was go into school and work on the dresses for extended project.

I thought after the exam I would stop stressing about school. But that's not the case, I still have so much to do. WAAAA AH AH

Completed the dresses, but there's the sketchbook and display work to complete. God help me complete it.

I stayed behind at school to do some of the display work. Then my sugar levels dropped and I got pretty weak and tired so I decided to head home. When I got home I was so tired I didn't even attempt to do any work. Just eat and take it easy. Me likey.

After dinner...

Watch clips of Britain's Got Talent online...WOW it's so great this year. WOO! Fell in love with Tobias Mead this year. His smile is just....beautiful.

Started this blog post and finally finishing it at 10:16pm. HEHE I get distracted so quickly.

LIKE OMG!

Today I heard a song I used to L O V E and still do, when I was 15. Man..that song took me back. Aww..the memories that seem so distant now.

Hmm life goes on.

Totally random post

Last Week Update: Art exam

Oh bugga..

My body has been tested last week, both mentally and physically. But I discovered my sewing level and how much I REALLY love sewing. I noticed that when I am locked in a room and instructed to sew, I can produce some kick ass work!

Tuesday May 4 2010- Exam Day

I woke up on Tuesday morning at 6:00 am feeling motivated-a little tired but that was over powered by my motivation, inspired and glowing- although the sun wasn't shining yet. Although I didn't have any appetite to eat breakfast, I HAD to eat something because I certainly would pass out in the exam, which would probably freak out the exam invigilator and my classmates. So I had something that wouldn't make me feel sick after light and filling. Since I found out I am Anaemic I have been doing everything to make sure I take care of my health and control my diet.

I also packed some fruit to eat at break. YAY, Health Freak!

*8:00 am- Met my best-friend at the bus station, she is also taking the Art exam. We walked to school together and waited for the exam to begin.

*8:45 am- Everyone turned up early for the exam so we started early which was great because that meant we would finish earlier.

EXAM TIME

The first two hours of the exam I spent preparing the print for the fabric and cutting out the fabric pieces. I was surprised at how fast I was working, but I was happy because that meant I would finish the dress before the 15 hours is up and then I could spend some time on my sketchbook.

By the end of the day, I had cut out all the pieces and started constructing the corset. It would be completed in the first hour of the second day.

Wednesday May 5 2010

Woke up feeling the effects of working hard for 5 hours. My body was crying out my an extra hour or two in bed. But I was still pretty pumped up from the great day I had on Tuesday to care. So I got up again, ate breakfast- compulsory lol and headed out to the bus station to meet my best friend again.

Pinned and tacked the zip into the corset but realised I bought the wrong zip. I needed a coat zip instead of invisible zip. I told my best friend the problem at lunch and she offered to ask her dad if he had any spare coat zip.

Started ironing the transfer paint print to the Organza which also looked brilliant. Pinned it to the front of the dress and immediately fell in love with how beautiful the Organza print looked when it was gathered.

After school I also went to the local market to see if they had the zip I needed. But it's Wednesday so every market is closed on this day I guess. So I had to rely on my best friend.

Thursday May 6 2010

FINAL DAY OF THE EXAM

So I have to put in the zip for the corset which was done in the first hour YAY.

Finish ironing the Organza print for the back and waistline of the dress. However I burnt the Organza three times, so this really annoyed me and wasted some time. It was a little burn but there was no way I was going to use it. I was being too much of a perfectionist!

After lunch I had to finish draping the Organza on the back of the dress and hem the skirt. Then do some finishing touches to my sketchbook. I was feeling confident about it, but the hour went so quickly I just finished hemming the skirt in a nick of time. I didn't get to do my sketchbook which annoyed me. I had a headache worrying about it but I do hope I get a good mark.

Overall I think this was my successful project and I am optimistic! I also felt a little sad because the end of the exam also meant the end of Art lessons at Lordswood this year.

x