Two Down Three To Go!

Slowly but surely I am getting there. I have nearly finished with this garment but I have made a mistake with the neckline. I wanted a 3x3 oversize neck but I miss calculated the size of the neck. So when I linked it on, I still had extra rib on (silly me). So I had to unravel it all off then go and ask Simon if he could knit me a new rib, this time I took off 8 stitches. I also cut the neck wider so all the rib could go on.

I was not happy that I made a mistake, but you learn and correct then as you go along.

At times I really like my garment and at time I not a fan of it, but hey you live and learn.

On to the next I go.

Still at work

Making trim decisions can be one of the hardest things at times, especially when you’re not sure how your garment will look at the end. With much thought and how I pictured my collection, I decided I wanted a big oversized 3x3 roll collar. I was not sure on the collar but I think black will work the best as the elastic in the garment is black and it adds some detail to the garment. 

To test out how the trim will look on the garment, I put the garment on and wrapped the trim around my neck and Lin took a picture of it.

It doesn't look too bad but we will have to wait and see when it’s all done.

Also I put on the waist coat to see how it would fit and to see if the shirt colour will look good with it. When I knitted the garment, I could not find the original colour that I used for my colour (it had been discontinued). I used a different colour, and it doesn't look too bad, you just got to make things work at times. That's what I have done throughout this course.

Making Up

I am so happy with myself ( lol not to sound big headed or anything). Today I started making my oversized maggot jumper. In the beginning I was not confident because I didn't have anybody around I could constantly ask for help. With my first garment that I made, I had Helen(My tutor and knit lecture)with me so, every step that I took Helen was there to help me. But this time I was by myself, just me myself and I.

I started off shaky but once I spoke to Karen (the technician), got some direction on what I should do, went away and did it. At the end it came out pretty well. I feel I could do it better next time (if there is a next time).

In the image I traced my pattern using tailors chalk, I then did a stay stitch around the drawn pattern then I cut it out. It all sounds really easy but when it’s the first time, you have ever done anything like this, you become nervous because you’re thinking ‘what if I make a mistake’ I've ruined the fabric and because of time, I can’t make the fabric again.

Thank the Lord, it all went well and I can continue to finish the garment.

Finally!

FINALLY, I have started this (big) maggot jumper, with so many delays and setbacks it is actually getting done today. On the plus side I was able to get the fabric width I desired.

When I did my pattern, Simon and I was worried that my pattern will end up being too small as there is elastic in the garment and once the fabric is steamed, it shrinks dramatically. So before we knitted my final fabric, I had to have a backup plan just in case the fabric was too small.

Luckily once I measured my pattern and my sample knitted fabric, it just about fit on the machine.

I was also worried that the yellow yarn I was using would run out as that was the only cone left at the shop (Uppingham Yarns) but I managed to get the front back and the two sleeves done. 

5 Gauge Knitting machine

Fabric before it is steamed

On the same day, I managed to also knit my waist coat fabric on the 14 gauge machine. It did not necessarily come out the way because the pattern on the fabric was different to how originally designed. I didn't notice till the first piece was knitted and steamed.

I was a bit upset at first because when things don’t go the way you want and it is not necessarily your fault, it’s a bit upsetting.

Last Friday I didn't have a cad session with cad technician, because he phoned in ill on the day. So I was waiting around, till one of the teachers my cad session was cancelled. This was very annoying as I this was my last day in Nottingham before I started to commute to university from home (London).

I think that this was one of the main reasons why the pattern came out wrong because it was kind of rushed.

Hopefully it all comes out fine and looks good.

Different colour, yarns and Maggot 2

These past two days, I have really been experimenting with different yarns to try on my previous knitted samples, to see if I can come up with interesting textures and also to see if they look any different. Again I used the 5 gauge machine.

So to test out if the machine was working, Simon and I did this sample. Instead of using the black elastic, I decided to use white to see how it would look also I tried a much more stronger elastic to see if the effect would be any different.

And this is the sample.

I don’t like it because it is very stiff but that might be down to the wool yarn. In the future I think I might just stick to a cotton yarn or softer feeling wool. Also you can’t see the white elastic. To me this is less effective than the black elastic but on the plus side the maggot shapes is very visible.

The next sample is a peach and grey coloured textured yarn; this is one of my least favourites. It looks horrible and raggedy plus the colour does not go with my collection. You can’t see the white elastic.

Here is another sample that I dislike, I don’t like the colour or the texture of the yarn but I must admit that the velvety feel feels very soft against the skin. This time you can see the white elastic clearly and I don’t like the effect it gives it.

I tried this green viscose yarn and it was horrible, it was stiff and very ruff against the skin. Once it was steam pressed, it was a bit smother but still ruff.

Blister Jacquard

Moving on I tried this green viscose yarn. I did the same blister technique and I'm not 100 per cent on how it came out. I don’t think it’s bad but I don’t think it is good either. Unsatisfied I tried using the same pattern but I turned it into a reversible jacquard. Again I disliked this sample. It just seemed a bit too much on the eye. I think it is the combination of the colours or the texture. I am not really sure but Simon liked both samples the blister and the jacquard and Phil liked the blister. I don’t think I will use this sample but it was interesting to see what different yarns could achieve.

Reversible Jacquard

This is a mohair sample that I tried. I am not quite sure I like it, and it wasn't as thick as the other samples, it was quite light weight which I did not like.

I tried this soft cotton green yarn, I didn't like it because I think the colour dose not suit this kind of technique plus the yarn is too thin, which makes the knitted fabric very light and quite flimsy. 

I went back to the black elastic and tried this yellow yarn. I like the effect of the black elastic because it gives it that decay look bot I don’t like the colour of the wool yarn.

This is by far my favourite sample of the day. Originally I did a few samples that were beige but I still wanted to add some colour in there to make it stand out and to fit with my other knitted samples for my collection. I think this yarn works the best also I love the black elastic against the beige and (hint of) yellow entwined with each other. It gives it more of the decay look that I am going for. I think I am going to use this sample as part of my collection.

GFW

These are images from this years Graduate Fashion week. I wasn't able to go but my friend and class mate Lin went and took these pictures for me. I love them, some are very similar to my garments for my project, while others are just interesting to look at. I love seeing the BA students work as I feel it's always so creative. They design more freely and less commercial at times.

One university that I always look forward to seeing there work is the university of  

Birmingham. their shows for me are always interesting and the clothes are different to what other universities are doing. The menswear has a fun youthful vibe about it which I enjoy very much.

 

Here are a few images, I hope you enjoy.

Collaboration Inspitartion

These are some quick mood boards that I put together to send to the Ma craft student. We have finally agreed to collaborate to make a hat for my Ma collection. I believe she is going to use resin to make the hat. The reason I asked Katie to collaborate with me is because I really liked her weaving/sewing technique that she is using for her own work. Hopefully it should all go well.