Workshop

Tuesday the 21st March, I had a workshop at Lady Sew and Sew.
We were doing the Build a Fabric technique. (Check the tab above with a detailed tutorial.)

There were only 2 in the class, so I had time to take a few photos. It was interesting to see how different colour choices developed.

We started with a 'sample'. Taking a few steps so they could get the idea without being too precious about larger bits of fabric. Then one lady continued with those colours while the other lady started with others.

Sue - excellent eye for making contrast fabrics work.



Shaaron - using analogous colours and aiming for some built fabrics to develop a dragon!



What we discovered:
1.Using very thin fabrics at a later stage has a risk of the extra heat burning the fabric.
2.Fabrics with metallic are not so great for adhering, even though they look good. (We were using bondaweb/wonder under.)
3.Colours can really change depending on the background or colours they are next to.
4.They can also look different in different directions when you use something like satin.

If you have a go at this, let me know! Send me some photos to see what you have come up with.

C+G External Verifier visit

Here is a glimpse of the displays and work my C+G students did for the visit of the C+G external verifier. Rather than being intimidated by these visits, I look forward to them because our EV is actually the head of department at the college where I did my C+G qualification! I think it helps that I know what sort of things she looks for and considers important.

Displays for year 2 - a bit more to show as the year 1 students are still at the design stage for their first garment. I think I am going to trim the sampling even a bit more this coming year. We always do more than the required amount, but somehow most of the students don't seem to be able to work fast enough to get everything in.

I have rubbed out surnames just for privacy.
Frances -

a close up of the technique samples.

I love the way she presented her pattern cutting work!

Her trousers show great skill. Look at the curved faced hem!


These are the ideas for the blouse Frances is currently working on.

Julia -

The blouse Julia is currently working on. Here she is in the toile. you can see the design ideas on the display table.

Year one sample work. This includes: Techniques, Design, and Pattern work.

and Skirt design ideas.
Anna -

Nana -

Holly's toile

Machine Embroidery Course

I realised I never did show photos of the final session for the Machine Embroidery. Part of the reason? the electricity went out part way through the evening and so there was quite a bit of exitement!

We had to move to another room. Some of the students left their work in the other room so I didn't get photos.

I have put the photos I did get on the Machine Embroidery page at the top. SO, if you have read it before, if you scroll down to the bottom, you will see the new photos.

There were not enough students interested this term, so it had to be cancelled. We would have been starting this evening. I miss it, because it was so fun, but it might give me just that much more time for working on that secret project...if I stay off the computer!

Image Transfer

The recent post through from Cloth Paper Scissors about image transfer was timely, as it was the technique for last night's session in the Machine Embroidery class.

We tried a few different transfer media - one I got some time ago from one of those free catalogues you get through the door. A Dylon transfer medium, and Mod Podge, which I read could also be used.

We also used a technique for drying that I learned when I did my City and Guilds in college. Instead of drying the image with the medium on it, you lay it onto the fabric and rub it in. Then you layer it with baking parchment and press it with an iron on wool setting. you should also turn the piece over and press as well. The heat dries/cures the transfer medium and you can proceed with the bit about getting the paper wet and rubbing it off.

Here is a bit of what went on.

Applying the medium

beginning the rubbing

continuing the rubbing

but not too much!

and you get some images like these...

I love how some students can take instructions from someone who is not good at simple and who some find a bit vague about results ( They often hear. 'Well, try it, see what will happen.'and 'That might work, why don't you try it?' or 'I don't know, it depends, really. what do you think?')
anyway some take those sorts of things from me and still manage to come up with something quite simple and just right!

student projects

The machine embrodiery students are beginning to think about a project. One lady is hoping to make a quilt inspired by a Klimpt painting. She got a good start on it over the Christmas break.
She is going to build up the image with fabric to represent the colours and then build up the texture in the image using machine embroidery techniques.

Tomorrow, I will show some of the other things we got up to this evening. I have to be up bright and early to go for a hospital appointment.

Heat Tools

Wednesday at the Machine Embroidery class -

A bit of stitching

and then a bit of zapping with a heat gun
and look!

And then to top it off...
a bit of judicious mark making going on (drawing with a soldering iron)

Much fun was had by all.

pattern drafting

On Monday, the ladies who are doing the first year of the level 2 City and Guilds Fashion (7112) were very excited to get onto the drafting at last. Here they are drafting skirts.

The language of drafting is a bit of a shock to start with, but once you see how it goes, and when you start to recognise you are drawing a skirt pattern as you follow the measurements, it isn't too hard. Just a LOT of concentration needed!

Stitch on paper and metal

So in the Machine Embroidery Class, we did get to stitch on paper and metal before the snow came. (Then a lot of turmoil with a family situation meant I didn't get to the computer)

So here are a few of the photos.

Some painted paper trimmings I had were popular.

And pages from the old Brazilian dictionary I mentioned.

interesting results on the back because paper doesn't play like fabric when it comes to tensions.

some stitch on metal

Some combined things, including stitch on mylar(space blanket) which one of the Thames Valley Offcuts sewing group ladies gave me.

I hope to get a few more photos this week of anything else they have tried.