fingers are bleeding!

Before I explain my day let me give a brief explanation as to what Cellulose Nitrate non shrinking dope is. This is a glue that is slightly thicker than water and seals coverings such as Nylon, Tissue and silk.

Getting back to today in college, I painted the Cellulose Nitrate non shrinking dope onto my fabric to give strength and structure ready to pleat. I then hung my pieces up to dry. The fabric is now really nice and crisp almost like a paper but the smell of the Nitrate dope is so strong it traveled around the whole of the college ground floor. (I am surprised I'm not sitting here hallucinating) wonder if I got anyone high in college????




Great I stiffened my pleats but here is the down side, I have broken my needle trying to force it through the stiffened fabric with pliers and my fingers are near bleeding point.
Oh well tomorrow is another day for a fresh start and a fresh needle.

Fittings Week ^____^

Today I have fitted my dress onto my model, I do not know why but her name has completely slipped my mind but she was a really nice person and has a good shape. I was excited about the fittings because this means that my dress is nearly completed.
THE FASHION SHOW IS NEARLY HERE !!!

Finished result of Independent work

In a previous blog I showed you images of an independent project. I was attempting to put origami in a fitted front bodice.

So.....lets take a look. ^_____^



Attaching the pieces together was a nightmare but I am pleased with the result *______*

A good day :)

Today is a good day, I have completed the shell of my dress! my straps are done, my facings are sitting ready, roll on fittings week.
Tomorrow I am faced with a day of pleating :( but the end is near.

Independent work

I started my morning off by sewing the front and back panels of my dress together but came to a stand still when I remembered I hadn't bought a zip.
To gain a high grade it has been drummed into us that we must carry out independent work. I spend the afternoon experimenting with origami in a front bodice. I have not completed it yet but here is my progress so far.



This shows my design lines on the bodice and I have sliced up into four pieces.



From my cut up pieces I sliced open the design line and added a fold which extended the pattern piece. This photo shows me placing them on the fabric and cutting out.



Here I have sewn the pieces together which resembles a lantern.
This is as far as I have got today and will post a picture of the finished result in a future post.

Beautiful fabric

I spent most of today cutting my pattern pieces out of my final fabric.
The fabric I bought were dry silk, duchess satin and shantung.
I am making good progress and am REALLY excited about finishing it as I want to see it complete.