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.

Fashion Illustrator: Stina Persson

I've only recently discovered her work, but it's so exciting. Stina Persson is a fashion illustrator based in Sweden, Stockholm. Her work really appeals to me because of the bright beautiful colours she uses, I love illustrations with bright colours. Her work is slightly similar to David Downton but she uses more colours in her work making it look more complex.

Her water colour works are just amazing! This is definitely something I will try out!
Her website has more of her exciting and beautiful work http://www.stinapersson.com/

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.