Refining

I have a couple of weeks before I leave for Europe. I have decided, instead of using this time to, if I so wished, watch TV, read, lounge in the sun, etc., I am going to educate myself further in pattern making and garment construction. Though I have studied sewing for  three years as a module on my university course, and have taught myself from an old sewing book before any formal education (aside from textiles in high school, but I don't really feel like I learnt much from those short classes), there are still some areas I am lacking in.

I have a tendency to speedily make clothes so I can wear my designs as soon as possible, like DIY fast fashion, with the similar result of a poorly constructed, ill fitting garment that only lasts a couple of washes before it is a tattered mess only good for dressing up as a lost boy. I realised, after being inspired by a beautiful sewing blog by the name of Madalynne, that if like her, I invested time and money in my garments, they could be things to treasure and care for, rather like when buying an expensive dress. The dress means a lot more when you wear it because it was designed with time and care, made with high quality fabrics, put together with skill, and you know how much money you spent on it, rather than having a wardrobe too full to see any outfits, and too many cheap things. If I applied this very same attitude to when I made my own clothing, not only would I own clothes that are unique and would last a long time, I would also become a better seamstress, something I could hopefully apply to a future career in design.

I have been sitting on a couple of designs for a while, inspired by images I have seen whilst browsing Pinterest, books on vintage clothing, various blogs, and my own wardrobe. I now have a nice fabric collection together, because at my old office job, they would order in new fabrics every week, so would forever be throwing samples away. Yards and yards would just go in the skip, and initially I saved as much as I could carry, however, after a while I began to run out of room, and became more selective about what I took home. I have narrowed my selection the three boxes of fabric, and am aiming to make a couple of garments a week. I love designing and making dresses, but to develop skills I must branch out more. I'm thinking lingerie, just some simple things like bralettes and pants, and possibly some shirts.

My first pattern was a dress similar to the Free People lace toile trapeze dress. I fell in love with this design, but it looked far to complex to bother doing, with all the triangle panels and gathered bits,  but that was before I decided to become the very best seamstress I could be. After two days of French seaming, binding, more French seaming, cutting lots of strips, and lots of frustrated noises at my sewing machine, I have a nicely fitting, fully finished dress. Though there are a couple of things I would change, its nothing I can't learn from.

Overall, my first few days of being at home have been enjoyable. Task for today: book interailing tickets!