Skirts and Tote Bags!

Designer's at work...

The morning started off with Denali, she's working on a school project and the end result will be a presentation on Fashion Design!  So, this week we're learning different aspects of design, starting with pattern making.  Denali's first project was to draft a skirt based on her own measurements, sew it together and fit the sample.  It turned out perfectly, fabulous job Denali!

 Tote bag ladies! 

 These three ladies had a wonderful time cutting their fabric, sewing their tote bags and chatting all the way through class.  Erica and Tammy did an amazing job!  Theresa was unable to stay for the whole class, but we'll see her tote back next week!

A Fabric Story

Designer's at Work...

Designer's looking for the perfect fabrics for their collections.

Carrie discussing her fabric swatches.

Christine organizing her fabrics by main, secondary, and finally novelty. 

In week 3 of our Fashion Design Course, we focused on fabrication.  I conducted a burn test so that we could see the difference between synthetics and 100% Silk.  It was interesting to see how the different fabrics curled or crumbled under the flame (I recommend conducting this test with a bowl of water close by to drop the fabric in should it burn quickly).
Following the burn test we discussed the importance of a fabric story...
The group was given a challenge: I pulled an image from an old Vogue cover as their source of inspiration/concept; the students, in turn, were to "shop" from a pile of scrap fabrics to pull together a cohesive fabric story that best represents their concept. By following the chosen color pallet, shapes and movement, the fabric story should compliment and build upon the concept.

Sue's interpretation of the image and concept, GREAT job!

"A successful fabric story enhances the attitude, customer lifestyle, and price point of the collection.  The weaves, varied weights, and colors support the collection's attention to detail and mix-and-match separates".

Source: Fashion Design Course by Steven Fearm

The Little Black Dress

Today's Designer at Work...

Aude tracing her block

Aude created a basic pant block, once we perfected the fit on the pattern, she traced her block to create a more stylish pant. The fabric she chose is very unique and I can't wait to see the final product!

Lace detail

This afternoon was spent finishing the little black dress; this dress has a waist seam, chest and waist darts, spaghetti straps, lace trim and an invisible zipper in the back.  The bodice is lined but the dress can be fully lined depending on the weight of the fabric.  So... what do YOU think, is this a class I should add to the month of June (instead of May)?

The Gentle Waves

Designer at Work...

Mikayla has been working on her collection for the "Fall into the Stars!" teen fashion show taking place in August of this year.  Today we inserted a fly front zipper in one of the pant styles, this was Mikaya's first time constructing a fly front pant and she did a GREAT job!

Playing in the background as we worked...

The beginnings of a wedding dress...

Today, I was asked to design and make a wedding dress.  I absolutely love her ideas- classy, simple and very elegant. This dress will require draping to make the actual pattern and draping is my favorite part of designing! The wedding is a ways away, but I'm really excited to get started on this project.

Groupon madness!  Thank you to everyone who took advantage of the great deal that Groupon offered yesterday. I look forward to working with so many new faces!

Exciting Day at TDL!

The Designer's Lounge was on Goupon today!  You still have time, about two hours left, to take advantage of this amazing deal!  Check out the website www.groupon.com!

Today's Designer's at Work...

Creighton draped her dress last week, this week she hit the sewing machine.  Draping a dress using vintage fabric was tricky because once we cut into it, there was no turning back.

She is almost finished, next week it will be completed!

Ratna completed the Sewing with Silks class, whoo hoo!  She did an amazing job and made the perfect summer blouse!

Back view of Ratna's Silk Blouse

This evening we had Part II of the Pants Pattern Making Class, these ladies completed their patterns and quickly sewed their first samples.  Once the samples were completed we fit the pants and made notes of the adjustments.  Next week we will apply the changes to the patterns and sew another pair of pants!

I have two bride's maids dresses that need to be  completed by July 15th, Audria is learning to trace a commercial pattern in which we will use for basic fit and styling.  Next week we will redesign the pattern and cut out the muslin samples to start the first round of fittings.  Thank Audria for all your hard work!

♥ Fashion Illustration Workshop-Albuquerque Academy

What an exciting two days! I felt very honored to participate in the ISAS Arts Festival hosted by  Albuquerque Academy this year.  The ISAS Arts Festival brings students from all over the Southwest to participate in two day's worth of workshops focused specifically on the arts.  

I must admit, I was a little intimidated by the thought of teaching in a full sized classroom, but I had an absolutely lovely time and the students were so much fun to work with! 

Starting with a croquis.

The Classroom

Designing her own garment.

Me, admiring her sketch.

Amazing!

The gymnasium turned art gallery.

Thank you Michal and Albuquerque Academy for inviting me to this inspirational event.

♥ Today at The Designer's Lounge....

Well, technically it was yesterday, but here it is- a day at The Designer's Lounge.

I starting my morning with a dress, I'm testing this pattern and it may be a project that I will be adding into May's Class Schedule, it's an easy dress to sew and perfect for Spring/Summer.

I use whatever fabric I have laying around at the time,
this one is going to be made of a light weight wool gaberdine with pin-stripes
and a lace trim.

Designer's at work... My first lesson of the day!

Creighton is draping a dress using vintage fabric.

Marking her drape

Second Lesson of the day- Taylor drafted out her own skirt pattern, cut it out and now is sewing it together (this is her first time she's attached a zipper).

Sewing it together.

Voila!

Fabulous Job!! It fits perfectly!

Last class of the day, Pants Pattern Drafting.  In this class the students learn how to take their measurements, draft out the basic pant block, sew it together, do a fitting and make the adjustments to their final block pattern.  From that point they are able to design different styles of pants and have them fit perfectly.

Using a "Hip Curve" to create a smooth hipline.

Ratna and Julianna drafting their patterns.

Audria is our newest intern and I will be posting her bio on the website this week.  But she saved my life last night by working on a small project for me.  Today and tomorrow I will be teaching two workshops at The Albuquerque Academy for their ISAS Arts Festival on Fashion Illustration.  To be honest, I'm quite nervous, I've never taught a large class size (anything over 8 people is large in my eyes).
Audria, graciously helped create the hand-outs for these workshops and they came out GREAT!

Audria hard at work.

SO, that is a day at The Designer's Lounge, wish me luck today and hopefully I'll be able to post pictures of the workshops that will be taking place at The Albuquerque Academy.