Garment Making And Picture Taking...

This module started a little differently to the others. The lectures that were given were very interesting, spanning many years of fashion and the developments and fallbacks that have happened in the process.

From these lectures had an idea what theme I wanted to take and follow with in this unit. At first I looked at The Urban Traveller, looking at the latest technology that was being developed for used by commuters and people in urban areas. however, when I showed my ideas to a group tutorial I realized that my ideas had faults within them and would prove a struggle to carry on with.

With this in mind I decided to change my whole idea. Looking at Subcultures And Style, I found many areas I could cover and hone in on. focusing upon the symbols that are instantly recognisable to many that reflect the subculture.

When it came to taking the picture, we were also given a talk upon using the SLR cameras and professional camera equipment, taking them outside to capture different pictures and using lights and light meters to get the best out of the camera. I really enjoyed this as I got to explore photography on a completely different level and I was very pleased with some of the final results.





With my final picture I took the ideas from the SLR camera on board and spent time on creating an idea for the image. I really like the final outcome, I think it reflects the ideas I wanted to portray very well. In this unit, there was so much that I learnt, from the lectures, all the way to the camera inductions. This is an area of this industry I would like to be involved with again as I found the photography element enjoyable and fascinating to be involved within, also, I really like capturing the garment in a way that really accentuates it vastly.

Realising A Dress...

In this unit, I was introduced to the industrial machinery. At first they were daunting as they were much speedier than machines I'm used to. After a few disastrous attempts, I got used to managing the speed and moving the garment around.

When it came to start to pattern cut, I started to struggle. It is something that I am still trying to get my head around and one of my major obstacles so far this year. So when I had to choose a dress to recreate, I chose something that would be easier than most, so I had a better chance understanding the aspects of making a dress. The basic shift dress took me a while to complete, and I had to research many of the components of making it, by looking at my pattern cutting book.


The final piece was something that I was very pleased with, at least it being the first real garment I have made using the flat pattern cutting technique.


I am still getting my head around this area of the course, along with dart manipulation, I seem to have stalled and am not able to grasp the method yet. As it is such an important area of this course it is something I will definitely be trying to teach myself over the coming months.

Lots And Lots Of Levels...

Within this unit, I felt I learnt more about the retail side of fashion. Starting with completing a shop report, alongside this seasons up and coming design ideas, by completing trendboards. Both of these are things I have never done before in such detail, but, when completed I was happy with the end result. At first, taking the photos and visiting certain shops was a bit daunting, but as time progressed, I enjoyed look at the different design ideas in the different sectors of the market.


It was interesting writing the shop report, as I found and realized that there is so much difference between the different markets as to the initial design right up to the final sell of the garment to the customer, each has its own process that is very important to the garment.

The second part of this module was a bit trickier for me. When given the brief 'Container Culture' there was so much that could be linked to make up its research. Within this unit, I started to produce more drawings and ideas rather than reams of writing that I have been used to doing in my GCSE and A Level days.

When it came down to completing the many design ideas, I struggled. I found it difficult to think of lots of designs that were suitable for my chosen market level and the brand within it- Lower Middle Market- Topshop. However, after many attempts of design ideas, I finally came through, coming up with ideas that would suit, but still have the idea of the shell and scales look I wanted to use, from the research I completed.

Overall in this unit, I was pleased with the final line up that completed my work. I definitely learnt new CAD skills and will develop these further later. I worked hard to make sure the ideas reflected the markets and used ideas that could be accessible to the brands. Doing a lot of the work outside of the college helped me to get things done quicker and using the negative ways I found within my personal approach in the last unit, turning them in to positives, I worked easier and completed things in a quicker time and less rushed than usual.

And So I Begin...

Receiving my first module of the year, and the first as part of my time here, I was apprehensive as to how to go about it, wondering if the knowledge and the ways I went about things during my A Level days would be useful to this, or, if I would have to change my ways of working completely.

Luckily, the module handbook, gave me useful hints and tips to make sure, I did what was needed, however there is no right way going about the work. In this course, I have noticed that there is such a variety of ways of working and completing work, that it is very individual when it comes to the final outcome.


The manipulated garment was the first main task that I was set during this module, after completing a paper dress made solely from newspaper and pattern paper, I had a task to make a garment from a shirt, a pair of trousers and a bag. Even though this seems to be a simple enough task, it took some skill to adapt the garments to create something that did not look like the three garments were just 'sewn together'.

I liked the final outcome but I feel that it could have been improved. It was basic with its idea and the bonding of the three garments as, I feel they could have been adapted to create something that was less recognisable as just three pieces of clothing.

The process of taking the photograph was something I really did enjoy. I feel I conveyed the idea we were given- 'It Fell From The Sky...' as I wanted something which looked futuristic in its look. Using the black background really picks out the white garment really well.


Within this module I have learnt new skills that i will definitely be using again during my time here. Setting up a photograph was something i really did enjoy. it was interesting working out the positions I wanted the model to be in and making sure the lighting and the camera itself was in the right position and was doing its job.

Overall, within this unit, it has been enjoyable, but i still have areas that i need to touch upon to make sure i reach my highest potential. Time management is something that i need to focus upon and combat. Writing out lists, setting myself goals and keeping my work in balance with the due date is something, i will need to and focus upon within my next unit.

This was my first taster of what is going to be done upon this course and I'm looking forward to see whats in store for the rest of the year...