Hi AJ,

I'm here...just still working on those dresses and now some wrap skirts. I also have an equal passion for gardening, so I've been doing that as well.

I'm glad you feel better. Where do you attend college, what's your major and what year are you?

Talk to you later,
Flowermum

Hi Flowermum

Wrong sort of college! I live in Scotland, so what you mean by college we call University. I suppose the nearest equivalent is community college. I'm a mature student, part-time on a course called HND (higher national diploma) in Clothing Technology.

Basically, it's machine sewing skills, pattern drafting and my personal favourite Hand Tailoring. We use industrial type equipment and a lot of it doesn't apply for the home sewer, but I can adapt a lot of techniques and many things are actually easier the 'dressmaking' way. The 'D'word is bad news at college, I'm always getting told off for that!

I'm supposed to be making a gents summer suit, jacket and 2 pairs trousers. I've been working on the pattern for months - all is done from scratch. I finally got the fit sorted (trousers too!) and was ready to cut out the fabric, but I choked. The guy the suit is for has paid a *LOT* of money for it. It's a silk linen blend and took weeks of phoning *everywhere* in the UK to find, so I'm terrified of ruining it.

So I phoned my guy at the Italian fabric outlet in Birmingham and got some linen to make a sample jacket. Total cost £14! Only thing was the choice of colour - it's red!! It's a nice dark red and I think it'll look nice, but if my client says he hates it...

A mock-up or 'toile' is to check for the fit, but you don't put in a zip or lining or finish the hems. A sample garment is fully finished and is wearable, but it isn't in the real fabric. This will allow me to check on all the techniques of construction (I'm using some new fusibles and a floating chest piece for the first time). If he likes it he can wear it, if he doesn't it was £14! :-)

So I have a lot more work to do, when I'm better - not there yet!

You did really well on those dresses - if you have an ordinary camera and a scanner that could work too, I'd love to see pics!

Cheers,
AJ

AJ,

You're in Scotland. Wow, how fascinating!!!! I wondered why you said 'cheers' all the time...now I know : )

What you're doing in school sounds awesome to me! I would love to attend a school like that. That's really cool!!!

Oh I wouldn't dare show you my ordinary dresses after hearing about your level of expertise : ) I do have an ordinary camera and scanner, but the problem is actually getting the film from my home to the developers. LOL

It sounds as though you really are gifted and extremely talented. How wonderful it is that you are pursuing something you enjoy so well.

It was nice to hear from you again, you are always so encouraging.

So I want you to stay encouraged and I have every confidence that the Suit, Jacket and Trousers will be Perfect.

Ciao for now,
Flowermum

For me, see my post of June 4th on "Teacher appreciation gifts".

"If you know what you are doing, you are not learning anything"

I'm at college because I DON'T have a level of expertise!? But I'm a perfectionist and I try hard.

Wearing something that you made yourself, that is just what you wanted and has compliments arriving from other people - that is the ultimate. There is always room for improvement, you get better with each time you do something and we all have our disasters, but actually finishing !!!! is the best thing of all.

Awre best (as we would say in Glasgow!)
AJ

AJ Hey there, I wondered if you were doing something for finals, the coat sounds spiffy, when I did real sewing, I made several jackets for my husband, a red cord, for Christmas, with a scotch plaid vest, very,very, British looking he was in his duds! LOL I am just playing with fabrics, trying to teach myself to do art work with fabric, kind of fun,but I run out of steam real fast these days.
You know I was thinking about the classes you are taking, saw something recently on TV about the HND, and the course in sewing I think, wish we had something like that in the states, there are schools in dress design, but not to the extent you are learning, envy is not the right word, but would have loved that when I was your age. Hope your summer goes well, Rene

I learned to sew just after Christmas have spent the past six months sewing pillows, seat cushions, and window treatments for my house. Last week I decided to tackle my first piece of clothing -- a fitted tee shirt made of lycra fabric. My first attempt was laughably bad, but my second was much better, and my third, fourth, and fifth look very good.

I didn't use a pattern but simply copied my favorite tee shirt using professional pattern making paper. Next week I'm planning to copy my favorite pair of stretchy pants. After that I may try to copy a casual lycra zip up jacket.

I'm thrilled that I can now sew simple stylish clothing in the colors and cut that flatters me. This morning I ordered some great stretchy fabric from Seattle Fabrics and I can't wait until they arrive. I may never buy ready to wear again.

I've been gone to my grandbaby's baptism (I made his heirloom Christening gown which is still in the Gallery, I think). Need to get going on sewing again. DIL has requested a shopping cart cover for baby, said she'll return the store purchased one she got.

Mary