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.