Week 5- Look one constructed!

Hi everyone!

I am so happy to say that my first look is finally all constructed and sewn! My blouse is made with a layer of silk chiffon and I quickly remembered what it is like working with that material! It is very slippery and can easily get dirty, so I spent a lot of time being very careful with it. I had to go run to the fabrics store to get a thin needle that is specifically for very delicate and fine fabrics. This needle was a life saver and made my seams turn out beautifully all over!

I really love this blouse because of the two layers. Using two layers on this top made it so it has really great weight when you hold it. At the moment, it doesn't have the beading on it because I am still searching for the beading I want. I found a few options that I really like. The pants are really fun and I feel like the shape of the pants go really well with the fun pattern!

Now that this look is finished, I can move on to patterning the next few looks. I am excited to move on to the next one because it is a long, pinstriped dress. I tend to really enjoy constructing dresses!

Stay tune for next week to see my progress on the next few looks!

- Ashley Danner

Week 5 - I'm Back!

It's been a busy few weeks to say the least! I got a good start at the beginning of the semester, and now the work is starting to pile up.

I have decided to take a different route while producing my collection. I began the semester by making a pattern, then the sample. But since I know all my slopers fit well, I'll be completing all my patterns first, and then moving onto muslin samples, and final pieces.

One of the reasons behind this decision is because I need to piece dye some of my fabric. I decided to add a print to the collection. I'll be using a dye resist to make a yellow polka dot print! The easiest way to do this will be piece dying after all the patterns are cut out, rather than dying all of the yardage and making extra polka dots that won't be used.

I am also collaborating with a local knitter to create a custom knit for my collection! My samples should be here this week, and I can't wait to share them!

Week 4 Progress

Hi everyone, it has been one busy week!

This last week I started on my final version of my first look! Before I could start cutting out my final fabric, I had a few pieces to finish on my sample and alterations to be made on the paper pattern.

In the beginning of this last week, I finished the waistband on the pants sample and the collar on the blouse sample. After that I went to my patterns for both pieces and made the changes that I took note of during my fit test.

Later in the week, I started cutting my final fabrics. Let me tell you, silk chiffon is very difficult to cut out! It loves to slide around, so I made sure to take my time on my 2- layer blouse. I finished cutting fabric out yesterday morning and ever since then I've been sewing! Matter of fact, that is what I am going to get right back to after writing this post!

This next week, my goal is to have my first look completely sewn by Thursday! After it is sewn, it will be time to add some beading on it! I enjoy doing beading and embroidery, so I'm looking forward to doing that!

Have a great next week!

- Ashley Danner

Look 1 Progress!

Hi Everyone, hope you've had a great week!

This week I've started sewing and prototyping my first look! Before you make your garment out of the final fabrics, you usually make a sample out of a fabric that is much cheaper. This is done so you can fix any fit problems and adjust as you'd like.

I finished most of my sample of look 1 with only a few finishing pieces to attach and closures to finish. I am happy with how it turned out and I only have to make a couple fit adjustments on my pattern pieces before cutting out my final fabrics from Mood Fabrics! 

This next week, I plan on fixing the fit on my blouse to be more flowy. After that, I plan to cut out my final fabrics and start sewing my actual garments! I'm excited to see how this looks with my chosen material. The first look has a two layered blouse with silk chiffon and beading. The first look's pants have a fun plaid pattern!

Stay tune, next week there might be a sneak peek of my first look!

- Ashley Danner

Week 2- Patterning Look 1

Hey Everyone!

In this past week, I have made some progress! It is so exciting to see my collection starting to come along! I started patterning my first look earlier this week and had it finished on Thursday. The first look I am creating consist of a tie collared blouse and a fun pair of plaid pants. 

Also, I had a very exciting package delivered, which was my fabrics! It is cool to see all your fabrics you've seen as swatches in yardage form! I am very happy with all the fabrics and can't wait to see what my pieces look like using those fabrics! I have just one fabric left to be ordered from Mood Fabrics and that order will be placed in the next couple of weeks. 

This next week, I will be focusing on creating my muslin sample of the first look. I already have it all cut out, all that's left is sewing it together. Also, I will continue to create the set of patterns for my second look. 

Check back in next week to get a glimpse of the sample of my first full look! 

Ashley

Week Two - A Good Week

Happy Friday! I've been in the sewing lab for about 5 hours already today, and I plan on being here for 5 more. What a day.

This week has been very productive (let's hope that continues over the semester.) I completed 3 sets of patterns, constructed 3 garments for fit tests, and I'm currently working on a fourth. I just started my sweatshirt pattern because the sewing lab is freezing so the quicker I make the sample, the quicker I can wear it. Maybe I should make some gloves while I'm at it.

More exciting things! 3 of my fabrics came in yesterday! The "navy" fabric looked purple to me, and according to the Instagram poll I posted 5 hours ago, 99% of you agree that it is in fact purple, not navy. So I guess next week will consist of dying some swatches.

I'm enjoying the beginning of the semester, the lab is empty and I can spread my things out across TWO WHOLE TABLES. For those of you that don't know, we are usually cramped to 3-4 people per table, so this is a big deal.

Thank you for reading, tune in again next week and you might see a finished, final fabric garment?! (If we're lucky.)

Nicole

Week One - A New Beginning

Can you believe this is my last semester of college?? I sure can't. As a high school senior, my plan was to attend a 4-year college on a softball scholarship with a physical therapy major. 5 years later, here I am as a Fashion Studies student. Sports were my first true passion in life. I was never much of an artist growing up, but after 3 years at KCAD, I have learned how to combine my passions, new and old, to make something worth-while. In my final semester, I plan to make an athletic wear collection inspired by my time as an athlete. This week was spent organizing my thoughts and finalizing sketches. Here's your first look at my collection, Good Sport:

Dedicated to past, present, and future athletes.

This collection is inspired by the journey every athlete goes through. We play for the love of the game. We work against the odds to improve and extend our careers, knowing the end is coming too soon. But no matter how long or short, that career is not a waste. Athletes learn hard work, dedication, perseverance, and leadership. We use these skills to pursue our passions. On and off the field, be a Good Sport.

The Beginning of my Capstone!

Hi Everyone!

Here it goes! I am starting my last semester of college and creating my senior collection! I am excited to put all of my skills I've learned throughout college to use. This fall semester I will be creating my capstone collection, Serenity. Serenity is inspired by the water, beach, and lake life. I wanted to create a collection that could relate back to my childhood. I grew up surrounded by this environment and Michigan beaches are like a second home. When I am near the water, I find a sense of calmness overwhelm me and that is a feeling I want to portray. For this collection, I am also drawing from the physical environment, textures, and patterns that can be seen at the lake. When my collection is finished, I hope you can see the serenity that I feel at my happy place through my line.

This summer I traveled to a variety of Michigan beaches to find more inspiration. Our Michigan beaches are beautiful and I specifically liked the rocks I found while walking the shoreline of a beach in Petoskey, MI. A few others I've visited would be Ludington, Pentwater, Old Mission State Park, Manistee, and the place my collection took most inspiration from which is Grand Haven.

This week I narrowed my collection from my original 8 looks to a final total of 6 ensembles. I ordered most of my fabrics from Mood Fabrics and I am excited for that arrival this coming week. I am planning to get started with the patternmaking of the first two ensembles!

Check back next week to see my progress!

Thanks, Ashley Danner