Draping on the stand; Fitted

Creating a pattern from the mannequin can be done in a range of ways, although my project is draping we made need to use a series of pattern making skills, that been either block pattern pieces or straight from the stand. I began by making a fitted bodice and skirt patter piece (both front and back) which I can then expand and extend on before creating my original pattern.

- I began by pinning the calico fabric down the centre front of the mannequin, then pinning the neckline,waist,bust point and shoulder.

I then pencilled this on. 

-I then pinned in my side seams and arm holes, then pencilled where these seams would be.

-I could then group the excess material which would create my dart, I then pinned the dart in place.

Next was to repeat the same process for the back of the bodice piece.

-Since the is no bust point on the back of a garment my dart should be no higher than 13cm and all the darts must match the lines on the mannequin.

-After cutting round both front&back leaving a 2cm seam allowance, I could then move onto making the skirt.

- I began by pinning the calico fabric down the centre front of the mannequin, then pinning the waist and hem line, I then tightly pulled the fabric toward the side seam line yet ensure the grain of my fabric stayed straight otherwise my material would twist when worn. I then pencilled in the CFT, side seams, waist and hem line.

- Now I could use the extra fabric to position my dart, and pin it securely. After pencilling in the dart I could also write my straight grain line in to. 

- I then repeated the process for the back of the skirt.

Once this pieces where done I could add my name and what size the pattern is onto the pattern itself, along with whether it should be cut to the fold and how many needed to be cut.

I then tacked my dart in before removing the pieces from the mannequin.

Extended Photoshop Samples

This post will show how my initial samples have been changed through Photoshop and how different it can make the samples look.

one/ reflected the same image x4 

&a sample of brusho

I wanted to show how layers can build up to create completely different looks, as you can see below I have used both the images above on all three of the samples below, but they all look different due to the effects used:

I also layered a sample of marbling.

Adding this image to the reflected one and changing the layers to add darker colour and pin light makes this image have a pastel colour them which I really like, I think it looks very cosmic like.

Although this image is very similar to the one above, I altered the saturation of the marbled layer making the background of this texture grey with the bold colours standing out. Although I like this effect, I wouldn't use it for my fabric as I think the grey would not look as good on the fabric.

This is the same image just with altered hue/saturation making the colours very vibrant and adding new tones to the image. I like how this image looks with all the layers and think I will continue to build upon this image.

Marbling is a sample I really liked and think it looks even more amazing when on photoshop, to achieve this look I changed the colour curves to lighten the sample where I wanted, then changed the hue and saturation drastically until it was almost neon.

Here I have shown how I built up my layer to achieve the final image, I began by opening the sample image, adding a plastic film layer effect to it.

Next I changed the hue and saturation of the new image to leave bold and statement colours.

The third image is of a marbling which I changed the colours again to be much bolder and move vivid.

Then layering both of these images and changed the opacity has created the last image shown, I also added the pin light effect to keep the colours vibrant

Using the same sample images I have created a totally different sample which is my favourite so far, my blending the two images above I could create this new sample, I'm going to continue building upon this so adding up the layers giving me plenty of textures. I think it looks as if it is under the microscope already but by adding even more layers it will create this even further.

Editing The Initial Samples

Sample with photoshop; This look was achieved by editing the colours then the colour curves, I also brightened the contrast of the sample. Leaving me with this vibrant pattern, I do think this looks like something from under a microscope. 

Sample with photoshop; To create this, I used one of the marbling samples and just inverted the colours leaving me with this. I really like the colours and texture in this one, I'm going to continue with this trying different colours and see how the sample turns out, I do want to incorporate this into my final fabric design.

Sample with photoshop;  This sample is also made by using the invert colour tool on photoshop, I really like how the circular shapes have been picked out. The purple marbling ink works really well.

Sample with photoshop;  This is the same sample, just editing differently I changed the colour curves until all the colours were as bright as possible making these pink and purple tones, I also used the pin light tool which kind of looks as if the sample is already looked at under the microscope. I really like how this one has turned out.

Sample with photoshop;  Once again I used the invert colour tool then changed the contrast and colours. I think the stiching works really well on this sample, it looks like skin cells and the mix of textures brings more layers to the sample.

Sample with photoshop;  To create this I used a tool which made the image look as if a marbl layer had been added, I then altered the colours until this strange contrast appeared. I actually love how the sample has worked out ans it blend pastel colour with cosmic looking shades. I like the range of shapes featured in the sample to. 

I plan now to carry on with the samples in my next lesson, only with more of a idea of colours/shades to use and the specific methods I will continue using instead of just samples. This will then develop into two definite cards that I will scan in to further develop using Photoshop. 

Initial Postcard Samples

I have began this project by researching and creating a series of postcards that will be expanded by using a range of artistic techniques which shall then be taken through to my CAD lessons. Here I will use my skills to create a final print which shall then be developed into a printed fabric. 

I began by looking at my specimens under the microscope:

From what I saw a began to create different textures/images using many different techniques.

Marbling: This is a style of using marbling inks in a bath of water then by moving the ink and dipping in the paper/fabric it creates this effect. What I really love is how every one if different& each print will never be exactly the same. I plan on expanding with this method except using a different colour range, I want to use a more pastel/neutral colour pallet for my personal fabric designs.

This sample is a range of methods, I began by bubbling fairy liquid and ink then pressing my card onto the bubbles to achive these circular shapes, I then stitched over a few of the circular shapes leaving me with a wide range of shapes and colours in one sample. I really like both these methods and going to continue them into my next series of samples.

This is my favourite method, it is created by using Brusho inks, I really love the outcome and think it looks particularly good if comparing it to butterfly wings. By the inks running you get this almost tie dye effect, I'm going to continue this technique for sure.

This sample is three different methods, I began by adding blue ink onto the card, then by using bleach I simply added shapes/random lines which lighted the sample in certain places. I then used wax to add shapes/texture to the sample. This also reminds me of a butterfly wing.

The methods used on this sample are;

bubbling the ink

marbling (only very gently touching the water)

circular wax shapes

& slight water colours.

This sample was to see how the methods I had learnt could layer up, and I really like it. This one also work particularly well when I transferred it to Photoshop. I also much prefer the lighter colour pallet in this sample.

Under The Microscope; The Daily Dish

I began my research by heading to pinterest for some initial idea's, I found a awful lot of inspiration from alcohol to fabrics however I really like the insects. This theme really ties into my own work as the specimens I have collected are mainly insects. This is some of my initial pinterest research:

Whilst on pinterest, I saw about 'The Daily Dish' which Klari Reis presented art in a petri dish for a entire year, this has continued and she is still doing in to this day. Her dishes show how the most unlikely of things can look truly beautiful. Find the daily dish here.

I really love how different each dish is, however I prefer the more neutral colours such as pastels and creams, I think these would look really nice layered for my fabrics.

find my pinterest here: LINK

Under The Microscope; Jars of Specimens

Jar One | A selection of shells and sand which I collected from the beach.

Jar Two | A dead black beetle style insect + one blue bottle fly

Jar Three | 1 white butterfly and 4 moths

Jar Four | A selection of lamb/sheep teeth originally from the jaw bone

Two lamb/sheep teeth.

A range of butterfly and moths

A variety of different shells.

A beetle.