Innovative Cutting and Creative Bag Making...

In this unit, our final outcome needed to be innovative and have something about it that is different. We were given a choice to make a prototype garment, concept bag or shoe. With the brief that I was given I decided I wanted to make a bag, as this is something I haven't made before and would give me a challenge, and also let me learn a new skill.

Out of the words and phrases we were given I chose- New Modern and Urban Environment, with these I researched into many areas of design- interiors, art, clothing and shape, but I mainly focused upon buildings, and like my millinery, looked into modern architecture, and the shapes and clean lines that are used within it.

When I started to research into the bag making itself, I found that there was so many methods and styles that could be achieved. With this, I started to look into box and packaging design and the way that the final box could made in one piece, folded together with flaps and tabs to attach together. I looked at a hexagonal box design and decided that this was the idea I wanted to use.


The main feature within my design was to be on the lid, so I made several detail cut out pieces to attach to the lid, that would, when their tab was stuck down, fold together creating a fanned around look on the top. Using grey leather I made my bag, connecting the pieces together using strong leather glue and then making sure the lid was attached to the bag itself with poppers and a metal chain.


This has been my favorite unit so far, and enjoyed looking into how I could make my final bag. I think my bag looks attractive and fitted the brief well, however, it could have been made more innovative in its cut, by making the main bag piece itself in a much more interesting way- for example- using the idea from the box lid detailing and integrating that into the other areas of the bag.

The Mad Hatter Strikes Again...

When I was first told that I was to do millinery as my elective again I was slightly disappointed as I wanted to try something new but when I got the brief, I was very happy with what the area of research and my final outcome could be based upon.

With the brief focusing upon buildings and architecture- I decided to look at modern buildings and the shapes that are created into new buildings as they are now seen as art forms and complement their surroundings.

My hat was based around a trilby hat that had leather pieces that fanned around to create something that looks a bit modern and different. It was based upon a series of buildings in Barcelona, Spain, that used many shapes to make the buildings structure not only structurally sound, but also look attractive.

This elective was really fun, I feel that because I had done it before, when it came to starting the millinery process again, it all came back to me and this time it didn't take as long to make and I had learnt from last times mistakes!

My final outcome really fitted with the brief given, and to me, this has been one of my favorite units I have do as it has fit well to the style of work, drawing and design that I do best.

Year Two- New Skills, New Designs, New Unit...

Nearing the end of the long cold summer we had, I received my new project- Application Of Design.

This time it was to be a little bit different, working within a group- with three others, which at first was very daunting, as I have never really worked in a group before-each with different ideas, different methods of working, different styles of design. However, after we started to put our thoughts together, it soon came to show that we worked really well, each bringing something different to the group and helping to add to our final outcomes.

From our original summer work sheets, we found that each of us has similar ideas that we could take further into our designs. We wanted to focus upon childlike themes, but giving them an adult tone and feel to the final designs.

On a personal level, the workload within this unit, I found to be huge, I struggled at times with planning what to do and for when, but also feel I wasn't as stressed as I have been in previous units.

My final outcome was for an evening wear look, something that would been worn on a night out for cocktails or a bar...

We also did a photo shoot at Kirkstall Abbey to bring our final garments together, focusing upon the raw bricks and old buildings against our bright, striking garments...



I really enjoyed this unit as I learnt how to work well within a team- dividing time and tasks between others and also researched into newer, more expensive materials and fabrics that I can use within other units...

My Fantastic Fifteen...

This selection of images shows the best pieces of work, from many of my units, throughout the year. They include a variety of types of media, photography, CAD manipulation and garment making. From all of the work I have produced, I am especially pleased with these, as it shows my progression, with new skills I have learnt and has helped me to decide what pathway I want to choose next year. These are techniques that I will be using next year, and also will develop these skills further.

PPD1- 15 Best Pieces Of Work...

Tied & Twisted- Hand Rendered Image -

I was happy with the comments that were made by my peers. It shows the method, I feel, I work best with when drawing- pen and wash.

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Tied & Twisted- Half Scale Design

For the time we were given to complete this task, I was pleased, with the materials I used, the outcome that I achieved.

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Subcultures & Style- Dress Pattern

This pattern that I did on the sewing machine really works well and stands out on the dress within the final photograph of Subcultures & Style.

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Subcultures & Style- Final Photograph

Using the pattern, as shown above, looks striking on the final photograph. This is the best individual outcome I have achieved this year. I think it looks effective and gives the right statement I wanted to state. Upon the website, it looks vivid and eye catching, on the welcome page.

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String Tree

This was completed with my first unit- 15 different types of media use. From one piece of string I designed the tree shape. I feel, although it is freehand but still delivers upon what I wanted it to look like. Using brown string gives it that scruffy, bark like effect.

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SLR Camera Photograph

Within the SLR camera induction, this was one of my final outcomes. This being my favorite image, I really like the visual look of it- the flower being very bold within the greenery.

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Shop Report

I really enjoyed completing the research for this shop report. I was interesting to find out about all the different areas of the business it takes to sell a garment, and how much is planned to make sure it is sold to the right people in the right market.

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Photo Montage

I have done this kind of David Hockney photo montage before, within my A-Level. I enjoyed taking the photos that complete the image and putting them together, like a puzzle- making the image seem not perfect to the eye, but the flawed look is interesting and makes it look much more realistic.

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Tied & Twisted- Paper Dress

This innovative idea worked really well when built upon the mannequin. The different colours of the newspaper, when knotted and plaited worked really together and showed through the monochrome of the newsprint.

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Metamorphosis- Final Garment

This was my final garment I produced this year. I really liked the shape I made upon the shoulders, along with the iridescent material to the rear and upon the scales- which really give it that chameleon-esque look. The panelled apron worked particularly well, using the different methods of fabric manipulation.

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'It Fell From The Sky...' -Final Photograph

I think I captured the futuristic look that I wanted to achieve within this photograph. The white garment, in contrast to the black background gives the harsh look I wanted.

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Final Line Up- 'Motion In The Ocean'

From the design ideas I completed, these were the ones which would work well with the Topshop market I was within. The colours worked well with the shell and scales idea that I based all the designs upon.

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Final Hat- Millinery Elective

I was particularly proud with this outcome, as it was a painful process to undertake! The mad hatter theme I was going for really is accented with the feminine veiling.

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Calico Dress- Imitating A Garment

This being my first garment that I have made, using flat pattern cutting techniques, I was very proud as to what I achieved. From what I learnt, the basic dress I made, taught me many skills, some of which I am still learning.

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CAD Manipulation- Paper Dress

This was my best outcome, using CAD. I like the different colours and changing the contrast of the image.

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When I Grow Up...

...I want to be a Visual Merchandiser.

It is an area that I have always had an interest in, as it is a big part of the presentation of final outcomes of the garments and is essential for the sales for the business.

To achieve this I would have to gain more computer skills in order to design floor plans and 3D ideas. I would also have to gain more knowledge into the promotion of fashion and research how visual merchandising is being completed by different businesses in different markets.

Careers- Visual Merchandiser

A visual merchandiser creates window and interior displays in shops and department stores. They are responsible for the look of the store, making it attractive to customers and therefore increasing sales.

Their job would entail many tasks, including- conducting research to find out the latest trends, sketching ideas, deciding the placement of objects within store- mannequins, lighting, etc, and creating ideas that could be brought into all the stores and would suit their position, place in the market and its customers.

Hours would vary, as weekend and late evening work would be needed to put up displays, as to to minimise disruption for customers and the store itself.

The starting salary for a visual merchandiser is £14,000-£16,000 rising to £20,000 with experience on board.

You would work with staff in the stores where displays are present, head office to finalize ideas and other visual merchandisers to help come up with a vision. This job can be antisocial, for its hours but ultimately, you would gain satisfaction in having your displays around the country and knowing you would be attracting people to the store.

Careers- Pattern Cutter

In this job, the pattern cutter is responsible for turning a designer’s sketch into a working pattern, which can be used when constructing the garment.

On a day to day basis, their task would be to create a working pattern using a variety of techniques- moulage, CAD and flat pattern cutting.

General working hours would be between 37 and 39 hours a week. Overtime hours may be required when working to deadlines.

To succeed within this area of work, it would be useful to have a good ability to interpret designers working drawings, a good knowledge of garment construction and good IT skills to work to your best potential.

The drawbacks would include, the garment design changing many times over, meaning to change the cut of the pattern at a moments notice and not having a full opinion on what designs you are cutting.

Most pattern cutters would work individually but as part an overall team, creating individual designs with a designers collection. They would work with other fashion designers, machinists and pattern graders.

The salary starts from £11,000 and £18,000 a year. Culminating in over £20,000 a year for experienced pattern cutters.