Assignment 2

Week 05:

LESSON OF THE WEEK


To start the class, Ms. briefed us on Assignment 2 and what we need to do for the upcoming weeks, which is to begin pattern drafting and test fitting. Since this is a Pattern Technology module, we will need to submit our pattern drafting outcomes using the scanner machine in Mayamode and then create a digital copy.

As most of us only started finalizing our designs this week, some have not yet confirmed their designs, and others have not started their technical drawings. Therefore, for the rest of the session, Ms. allowed us to finalize our designs and complete the technical drawings so that we can start pattern drafting as soon as possible, especially since we only have about a month to finish this assignment.

MISSION OF THE WEEK


We need to complete our technical drawings this week so that our pattern drafting lecturer will know what styles we plan to create for our designs.

This is my first time drawing technical drawings by myself, as during the previous semester we were still new, and our design lecturer guided us throughout the process. Hence, it was quite challenging for me at first since I had no idea how to start. However, after Ms. explained it to me, I gained a better understanding of technical drawings  which we only need to draw the basic top and bottom of our designs according to the desired length. We don’t need to include any manipulations or decorations because pattern making focuses on creating the base structure of the garment. After that explanation, I was able to draw better and understand the rules involved in creating technical drawings.

This is my final outcome:

Overall, my experience this week was quite exciting. After finishing my technical drawings, I realized that I’ll be creating a dress for the first time, as well as a long slit skirt. I’m really looking forward to next week’s pattern drafting session. Of course, I’ll also do some research on pattern making for my designs. Since this is my first time creating two looks, I feel both excited and a bit nervous about whether I can complete everything before the submission deadline.

Week 06:

LESSON OF THE WEEK

To start the class, Ms. told us to begin working on our pattern making for the final looks. She mentioned that we only need to submit one test fit at the end of the month, which made me feel less stressed since I initially thought we had to complete two test fits within three weeks that would have been very rushed. Even though we only need to submit one test fit, we still have to do the pattern making for both looks since we will be sewing two final looks using the actual fabric.

MISSION OF THE WEEK

This week, we started doing pattern making, so it’s better to complete the process within the week.

During class, I worked on draping for my first look, which is a swimsuit with a drawstring design. I used a thrifted T-shirt for the draping since it’s stretchable, similar to the actual fabric I plan to use.

After completing the draping, I found out from my friends that we only need to submit one test fit. Therefore, I decided to choose the easier design for the test fit, as it would take less time and allow me to focus more on the pattern making process for the other final look. However, I still need to find suitable fabrics like jerseys or thrifted jerseys for draping, so that I can accurately determine the pattern size and fit.

Overall, this week has been exciting as I’m looking forward to seeing my designed looks come to life. I also realized that pattern making is becoming easier than I expected compared to previous semesters. I’ve learned to do research on Pinterest for pattern making references, which helps me explore and experiment on my own. I find the pattern making process really enjoyable now, hence it has become my favorite stage in creating a fashion outfit.

Week 07:

LESSON OF THE WEEK

Before Ms. allowed us to continue working on our assignment individually, she gave us a briefing as usual. Since time is quite limited for everyone, she informed us that for Assignment 2, we only need to submit the physical outcome. The digital outcome, which includes the scanning task, can be submitted in Week 14 when we complete everything at the end of the semester.

After that, she told us to continue our tasks and encouraged us to finish our pattern making this week so that we can start cutting fabrics for the test fit as soon as possible.

MISSION OF THE WEEK

Our main task this week is to continue completing Assignment 2, which is the pattern-making stage, and we must finish it within this week. By next week, we will need to start cutting calico and begin sewing.

I tried to start with the easier look, which is Look 2. However, I realised that the top part was actually quite difficult to drape because it is not a fitted top, so I couldn’t add darts. In the end, I only managed to drape the middle part of the dress. To avoid wasting time or dragging my progress, I decided to complete Look 1 as my outcome for Assignment 2. I think this was a good choice because completing the more difficult look first will help reduce my stress in the next assignment stage. So, I started drafting and mastering the pattern for Look 1.

Outcome for 1st Layer (Top):

I drafted a bodice pattern without darts, with the hemline starting from the bust since the top ends there. For the sleeves, I asked Ms. Melina for guidance because this was my first time drafting a sleeve without relying on the block. To get the correct length, I used Samantha as my model and measured the sleeve accordingly. Since my sleeve design includes a slit at the cuff, I will have two panels for each sleeve.

Outcome for 2nd Layer (Top):

Since I completed the draping last week, I only needed to trace it onto paper this week.

Outcome for 3rd Layer (Top):

This layer will use a deconstruction method in the final look, so I also applied the same method during the test fit to get the right measurements. I personally think this is the most difficult part of the pattern-making process for Look 1. I struggled a lot during draping because the top is not fitted, and I couldn’t get the outcome I wanted at first. I asked Ms. for guidance, and she helped me find a better way to drape. To make the drape easier, I had to remove the label stripes because they were blocking the fabric from draping properly. Luckily, with her guidance, I finally achieved a better outcome, and I am really grateful because I would have stayed stuck without her help.

I also worked on the collar pattern. Since I haven’t made a collar in almost a year, I asked Erin for help because her design has a similar collar style. With her guidance and a Pinterest reference image, I managed to complete the collar pattern on my own.

Bottom:
The bottom for Look 1 is similar to the skirt I made in Semester 2. However, this time it has two layers of netting, so I needed to make the pattern more flared to achieve the visual effect. Thanks to my past experience with a similar skirt, I managed to complete the pattern-making process smoothly.

After completing all the pattern making, I started cutting the fabric and began sewing. Since I'm already in Semester 3, I’m trying to sew independently for the whole look and aim to complete it by next week. This way, in Week 9, I can continue with pattern making for the next assignment after finishing Assignment 2 early.

This week felt quite stressful because I needed to complete the assignment as soon as possible, and my progress was slower due to the multiple layers in my design, which require more time compared to others. However, I believe I can finish everything without rushing next week since it’s independent learning week. After finalising the pattern making, the rest of the test-fit process should be easier because we can always refer to online videos if needed.
Through this assignment, I also realised that pattern making is the most time-consuming task because it requires a lot of accuracy and attention to detail. Spending more time on pattern making is necessary to avoid cutting the wrong measurements during the test fit.

Week 08:

LESSON OF THE WEEK

There was no briefing session today, so all of us continued completing our toile making since we will be submitting it next week.

MISSION OF THE WEEK

This week’s task was to complete Assignment 2, which is the toile making for one look. Since I completed my pattern making last week, I started sewing this week.

1st Layer: I made a long-sleeve top where the curved hem ends at the bust line. Since we have sewn T-shirts and long-sleeve tops before, the steps were similar and quite easy. However, because I used stretchy fabric, I had to use the 5-thread overlock machine. It was a bit risky as I needed to stay fully alert to avoid accidentally cutting into the fabric.

Outcome:

Progress:

2nd Layer: I made a swimsuit using stretchy fabric as well. The steps were similar to making a corset, so the process went smoothly. However, for the drawstring part, I had to change the method from the one used in my textile manipulation sample. Since the fabric stretched while sewing, it didn’t stay in place and caused messy finishing. My pattern-making lecturer recommended overlocking it first and inserting the rope afterward. Thankfully, it turned out better than expected.

Outcome:

Progress:

3rd Layer: Firstly, I did the draping according to the drawing. However, at the waist area, I couldn’t drape it smoothly because the curve was affecting the flow. Therefore, I had to cut out the curved shape and then attach the ribbing part of the jersey onto it. As a result, the final outcome looks different from the drawing due to the curved waist section.

Progress:

Bottom: I made a combined two-layer gathered flared skirt, similar to a layered skirt I made in a previous project. However, I’m worried about the zipper for the actual fabric because the final version will be made with netting. Since netting is see-through, the zipper seam allowance might end up looking strange.

Progress:

Final outcome:

Overall, I feel relaxed now that I have completed my toile making, and I feel proud at the same time because I can’t believe I managed to finish sewing everything within a week. I’m also satisfied that the outcome looks similar to my design. However, I’m starting to feel worried about next week since we need to complete the pattern making for Look 2 and start sewing both looks using the actual fabrics. A few weeks ago, I was stuck during the draping process for Look 2, so I hope I can solve it next week so that I can continue with the rest of my progress.