Made this week: Bralettes

Here are the very first bralettes I have ever made. I traced various pieces from bralettes I already own, fitted with some cheap jersey, then made them up on my singer machines with lockstitch and zig zag stitch. I'm really pleased with them, thank goodness I really don't need much support in the chest department, otherwise I really couldn't wear them. They have a fair amount of support, and are perfect with little summer tops and dresses. Also, I am in love with low backed clothing (as you will see in my next couple of posts), so these with pretty backs go so well together. I have now collected a large shoebox of lace and trims, and have been scouring the web for more, but pretty elastic lace is surprisingly hard to find. 

Europe update: everything is booked, bar tickets down to the Eurostar, and I am so excited/nervous! This is the furthest I have been from home on a trip not organised by others. Only 6 days before I leave.

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!

The beginning

And so begins Summer. The first day of the rest of my life...

I'm graduating university in 17 days. I will have a BA Honours in Fashion buying with design. Having been in education for 17 years, I am now free. No more pre-planned idea of what a young girl my age should be doing, it's all down to me now. I left my part time job at a design office yesterday. The safe thing to do would be to stay there, get more experience, make some savings, climb the company ladder...I decided a few months ago it wasn't for me.

Don't get me wrong, it was great. Great experience, nice people, free fabric, busy days, made some savings for travels, it was completely ideal for a part time job in my third year of university. The only problem with staying there would mean I have to stay put. Remain where I have been for my whole life, Leicestershire. There is so much more out there, and I am becoming restless. Great journeys are out there, I just have to take the steps to make them. Grab life by the horns, become fearless, and ask myself 'What is there to lose? What's the worst that could happen?'

The first step of my adventures will be Europe. A whole month in Europe, soaking up the sun, the culture, trying delicious food, spending time with my brother, travelling by rail, easily one of the best ways to travel. Train journeys have an element of nostalgia, they're such an old form of travel, and are so relaxing. Sitting by the window, looking out onto the world outside, held in a metal and glass bubble with the humming and clanking of the tracks beneath you. I leave in two weeks, and I cannot wait.

Next, who knows what? I long to create, to paint, to sew, to draw. I need a job I love, as I have worked with far too many people who hate their jobs, and I see how miserable they've become, not wanting to leave the house in the morning, counting down the hours until they can leave their voluntary prison, go home, and count again when they have to return. I consider success to be happiness in life, with friends, family, and career. If you are going to spend most of your time doing something, you deserve to love it, or its all wasted time. My dream is working for Free People in America. I discovered them about two years ago and have been following them ever since, so I suppose after Europe will be trying to get there, down to Philadelphia, and find my place. Fingers crossed. I'll have to wait and see.

So here I sit, alone, in my packed up university house, listening to the heavy thunder of rain on the roof, dreading having to put all my belongings in the tiny car, wondering what adventures will come.

The first day of the rest of my life.