One down two to go! I've almost finished my shirt so just my jacket and skirt to finish. I'm really pleased with the way it looks, the only issue I have, however, is the pleat at the bag hangs open, making the shirt look really wide at the bottom as it isn't pulled in and fitted the way it would be without the pleat. To try and solve this i sewed the top couple of inches of the pleat shut as well as sewing the middle section of the pleat half shut. I may still close the lower part completely, leaving just the bottom few inches open. I've been struggling to find buttons that go though. I originally bought some bright orange buttons before I'd actually printed the fabric but they turned out to be too dark. So today, after I'd sewn together my shirt I went into town in search of some replacements. This was pretty frustrating as there was nothing in the exact shade of orange as the print is quite pale. In the end I settled for some cute translucent white buttons with a little dotted impression around the edge.

front placket

space for concealed buttons

collar with printed lining

back pleat with print

So today I've been working on my styling project. For this I need to create a research file  so I wanted to produce a couple of boards using Photoshop. I've been shown a number of times, how to cut out and object to erase backgrounds. However I can never remember how to do it myself. I therefor decided I would make myself a step by step guide to refer to!

step 1: Using the pen tool, carefully draw around the object

Step 2: Unlock the background layer by double clicking on it and selecting OK

Step 3: Right click the path and 'make a selection'

Step 4:  Adjust the feather radius according to how smooth you would like the edges of the image to be

Step 5: Returns to the 'layers' tab and select the layer then 'Add vector mask'

 And there you have it!

So I've finally decided on my print! Inspired by La Rambla. I experimented with various colours but ultimately decided I liked block orange the best.

After constructing my jacket toile I noticed the way the pattern for the pleat had been cut, the seam was quite visible and didn't look as neat as I'd have liked. I therefor decided to change the pattern to extend the back panel moving the seams to inside the pleat.

This is a photo I took a few years ago. Its a similar style to the blurred photos for my styling project.

The latest project I've been set is all about styling and photography. I've been really excited to start shooting and had some strong ideas about the look I wanted to create. I took inspiration from Rihanna's 'Disturbia' video with a dark set and low lighting. I wanted to use a photography technique I've experimented with which creates a blurred image capturing movement. When it came to the shoot I was struggling with getting my model to look creepy without being too posed. It wasn't until towards the end of the shoot that I remembered this technique and it ended up being really effective and created some very atmospheric shots. I attempted to edit a couple myself using photoshop but having absolutely no experience using the program I couldn't get the exact result I was after. I have therefor chosen my favourite photographs and sent them to the photographers I have been working with. they will then edit them and hopefully get them looking great!

As part of my course I am required to do a work placement. Ive been placed designing an outfit for one of the twelve Miss Newcastle finalists which I'm really excited about. the theme this year is Bollywood, in honour of last years winner Vee Sethu. This is a really exciting opportunity and I cant wait to see all the outfits on the night.

When I lived in Leicester, i acquired a few old sari's from a neighbour which I thought had been thrown out. I took a few photos and intend to use these for inspiration for my own design.

Having checked my pattern numerous times i was at a bit of a loss as to why there was excess fabric on the bottom of my front panels. Ive finally sussed it though! I had been cutting off the bottom band for the skirt at a right angle, which meant it wasn't the same width the whole way round. Having corrected this by measuring an 8cm band the whole way round, all my pieces finally match up. I'm so relieved i know where i went wrong and proud i managed to make the whole pattern myself.

Today I started drawing out the pattern for my pencil skirt. I managed to do most of this myself, using the basic block and making various adjustments. I first made the bottom of the skirt more fitted by taking 1.5cm from both sides. The next thing I had to do, after trying the skirt on myself, was to add 1 cm to each side at the top, as it was a little tight around the waist. Once a had made these adjustments I traced off the two pattern pieces, dividing each to create a band around the bottom of the skirt. I then added seam allowance and began to cut and sew my toile. This brought up a couple of issues; the first was because I had added extra seam allowance to the bottom of the back pattern piece. I think this happened because rather than waiting until I had made all the alterations, I started to do so on my second draft. I must have forgotten this and added it again at some point. The second thing which needed to be altered was the back darts. The block had incorporated two small darts but once I made my toile I decided this would look too busy once I put my pleat and printed fabric in. I therefor intend to try and put the darts into both the back and side seams.

The latest project that's been set is a styling project, collaborating with photography students using our Anh Mao dresses. I've been looking into makeup and hair styles for inspiration and today we met with the photographers to discuss our ideas. I found a few images with various elements Id like to use but I haven't yet decided on the exact look. I really like the bleached eyebrows though, they seem to give a strange edge to the model. Because the theme of my dress was insects I wanted quite a dark, creepy look for my shoot. One idea I thought might be good to try was shooting on location in a wooded area. Jesmond Dene was suggested so hopefully Ill be able to achieve the atmosphere and look I want. I would also like to do a shoot in the studio so I can experience both types of shoot. I'm really excited about this project as I haven't done any styling or photography so far but its something which really interests me.

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=agyness+deyn+eyelashes&um=1&hl=en&tbm=isch&tbnid=iYhEDW9KoUUCiM:&imgrefurl=http://www.kaboodle.com/beauty/blog/article/faux-lashes-bottom-of-eyes-cutting-edge-or-creepy&ei=ExSeTYeBBYfRsgbftciqBA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=577&vpy=116&dur=1991&hovh=246&hovw=205&tx=76&ty=122&oei=ExSeTYeBBYfRsgbftciqBA&page=1&tbnh=161&tbnw=136&start=0&ndsp=23&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:0&biw=1280&bih=644 

style.com

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=zebra+eyelashes&um=1&hl=en&tbm=isch&tbnid=oF0yXuqADmd35M:&imgrefurl=http://freyahilltalkingaboutnothing.blogspot.com/2010_12_01_archive.html&ei=gxSeTYqiIcmYhQeR5rW8BA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=741&vpy=354&dur=246&hovh=186&hovw=271&tx=117&ty=151&oei=fhSeTafyK9SBswbmi5GeBA&page=2&tbnh=152&tbnw=203&start=16&ndsp=16&ved=1t:429,r:8,s:16&biw=1280&bih=644

I've finally begun making my jacket and I'm really excited at the prospect of making something other than a dress. I'm using a block for a women's tailored jacket which hasn't actually been tested yet and have encountered a few problems already! The first alteration I had to make was to square off the bottom of the jacket which was simple enough. I also had to change the collar from a notch collar to a shawl collar which wasn't difficult either. As i began to assemble the actual garment however, i soon realised something wasn't right. The side panel wasn't lining up and there was excess fabric on the seam down the arms. Having altered both of these we realised the 'block' I had used was actually a pattern, meaning I had added seam allowance which wasn't necessary! This turned out to be less of an issue than i had first feared and I was relieved to hear I wouldn't have to redo my whole pattern. I simply trimmed off the excess centimetre from each pattern pieces.

Once I had trimmed the pattern I decided the collar was a little thin, so enlarged it on the pattern. The last thing I needed to do was add a small amount of ease into the top of the sleeve as it was lying completely flat. I did this by slashing and spreading, adding 1cm.

The lining and facing were pretty easy as they weren't too dissimilar to the actual pattern so this didn't take long at all. I've yet to sample and add pockets and the box pleat at the back but so far its looking good. I can't seem to find the fabric I want in the exact colour but once I do I cant wait to see it finished! 

For my final major project I'd like to create some prints for lining my garments. I've been looking at designers such as Missoni, Kenzo and Diane Von Furstenberg. I like the geometric prints but want a softer feel with perhaps the colours or the shapes and scale.

style.com

I've been experimenting with prints using the computer but haven't created one I want to use yet. I want my garments to have a Spanish feel to incorporate my theme but I still don't know whether to do this more through the prints or the silhouettes.