Week 28 - Final Major Project - Week 7

TUESDAY

To get my fabric, I went to Dalston Mill Fabrics, down Ridley Road. This is a street, and shop my mum and nan used to go to all the time! So while getting my fabric, I have also kept to the concept of my project. 

The fabric I gathered, consisted of neutral tones, because after looking back on the stories my nan told me, I found she is not materialistic in the slightest. She prefers the simpler things in life and is content with the basics. What is important to her, is that those closest to her are happy and healthy. Which is why my material had to be simple. 

My final outcome will be a garment. It consist of a;

• Collar - A collar, was always going to be very important to my final garment. My nan has often told me stories about; how the collars could be removed from her dads shirts, and the importance her family always and still put on having a clean neck. Having dirt on your neck, was always a massive sign you were from a working class background - when the men were at work they would only wipe their face after a long day, leaving behind dirt all over their neck. Wish is why, even now, I am still told by nan, to always clean my neck.
• Top - I am going to make a halter top for my final outcome. Looking through old pictures, I can see my nan has always been reserved in her choice of clothing, so that's something I wanted to respect in my garment. But, I also have to bring this garment into the year 2016. The last thing I want, is to make a costume, or have my garment look that it was made to be worn in the 1940s. So despite the top being a halter, all the back of it will be open and laced up. 
• Skirt - For the skirt, I decided with a pencil skirt. A pencil skirt is both something my nan would have worn then, and something I would wear now. With this pencil skirt however, I will have a frill going around the centre of it. 

WEDNESDAY

Starting on my top, I drew the design out in my sketchbook. I sketched it, and measured out the fabric on the stand to make sure it fitted a standard size 10;

I have spent all of today making the top, since I need to have my whole garment finished for next week. But so far everything is going to plan, and I am happy with the top so far.

I am going to use this week just for my garment, I still have next week to finish anything off in my sketchbook. 

THURSDAY

I am so happy I completed my top today! That's the first part of my garment done, and now I have to complete the skirt and collar. 

As I began to start my skirt today, I noticed the material was just not stitching together. Holes would be made, but the thread would not hold. When I went back to the fabric shop to ask what was going on, they explained to me, I would need to purchase a ballpoint needle to use instead. It's the only needle that would hold my fabric together. 

While this is very frustrating, considering I need this garment completed by next week. It is definitely a lesson learnt. This is all about trial, practice makes perfect, and I will know for next time.