The Printed Results!

I collected my print today and I was very happy with the results! I only put an order through of 1metre:

(Close up)

I love the colour and visual textures. I think the print is very effective when draped as all the colours marge together creating an abstract view of it. I would have loved to do a draped design (McQueen has included many printed draped pieces in his last few collections) but I wouldn't have had enough time to do all the patterns for it! So I've stuck with a simple design so that I am able to complete the garment in time for our deadline!

Maybe over summer I will use this print again to make another design!

Now I have to decide the colour that will go best at the side panels:

In my previous post my drawing of the dress involved a torqouise colour as the side panels. The closest torquoise colour I found was too green ion comparison to the print so it was not a good compliment. At the moment I think a dark navy would suit best as then the print will be stand out clearly.

Sleeve amendments

So the sleeve was like this before:

Now..










It's like this....

(back view)

(front view)

So the sleeve problem has been fixed now and the patterns can now be cut out in the actual fabric!

Dress toile!

So I made a toile for my dress. It was fairly straight forward and not much needs to be adjusted. I just need to increase the size of the lower side panels so that the seam lines will be more visible at the front and back view. I marked in red for the adjustments but don't think the pictures are very clear! And also I need to lower the neckline or it'll strangle my model!

As the dress is simple I thought that maybe I could make a scarf as an accessory from the remaining printed fabric. However, I will have to see how much fabric I'll have left first and if I'll have enough time!

The dress will be made from silk satin crepe and silk dupion. I chose silk dupion as it has that raw and ridged texture which works well with my concept and print.

Second coat toile!

So here is my second toile for the coat. I did the godet panels and bust dart in a contrasting fabric to see the effect and I think it'll work! It took so long to make the toile as all the pieces are asymmetric so each piece had to be cut one by one. Then you've got all the several panels to sew! thankfully the fit was fine..but the sleeves were not so good :s! The sleeve head, for some reason, flops down which maybe due to excess fabric. I'll therefore need to re toile the sleeve. I'll also need to increase the front plackett as currently it is not wide enough to conceal the visibility of the zip.

I've also got the fabrics!

Very expensive but will be worth it! The darker fabric will be the godet and dart panels and the middle one will be the main fabric (both wools). The fabric on the right is the lining (silk).

Print

For my second garment I have decided to make something simple as the coat piece is will require a lot of work. I will make a dress possibly to be worn underneath the coat to complete the look. As the dress is simple the emphasis will be on a digital print which I have done from this primary image:

A simple shift dress with assymetric style lines to keep with the theme.

I have also done a belated colour/fabric board in which I manipulated images to create. The overall image was quite intriguing making me wish I did this earlier to use as a print instead! However, I do want a predominantly blue print so the one above should hopefully turn out well. I will post up the resulting print when I collect it!

(fabrics yet to be attached of course!)

COAT- First Toile!

My first toile for the coat:

Overall I am fairly pleased with the way it has turned out. It is slightly too big but that is just a matter of taking it in at the right places. The coat is a size 10 and my model should be a size 8 so not too many alterations with the fit. Other adjustments to make:

• Collar - needs to come in further towards CF and to be made wider for a thicker collar.
• Front/Back right side - to be made shorter - I want the length contrast to be more significant.

I am now working on my second toile. For the second toile I will use a contrasting fabric for the godets and bust dart to see how effective the design will be in 3D.

Diffusion range - initial

These are my ideas for a diffusion range but just a capsule version. There will be garments, bags and shoes involved. The design concept is the same but I have just chosen designs which I liked in my design development to make into more wearble and less expensive versions. There may be too much similarity to the main collection, so I will develop the diffusion range to define the difference. The colour palette of the diffusion range will consist of greys, baby blue, navy and black.

McQ - Diffusion range

Our brief also involves designing a diffussion range for our designer. This collection is a diluted version of the main catwalk collection. It is more affordable, wearable and sometimes aimed at younger consumers. A diffusion range can consist of garments, accessories, jewellery, shoes and perfume.

McQ is the secondary line of Alexander McQueen. It targets younger customers and based on the essence of Alexander McQueens work.

The current Spring/Summer 2010 McQ range:

The range is young and edgy. A fair amount of draping involved for a gracious and feminine appeal in contrast with masculine cut jackets and shirts.