Introduction to Pattern Cutting at MAC Birmingham

It was a great day at MAC Birmingham teaching my Introduction to Pattern Cutting class. 


The one day workshop focusses on drafting a custom skirt block from precise measurements and conducting a toile fitting to ensure good fit. 
It's important to get the drafting process right as any errors can cause issues with the resulting toile garment. 
The toiles did need some changes in the fit sessions but this is easy to do in calico by cutting additional sections of fabric to build out and areas that need extra. 
If you're testing a shape for the first time, a toile is always a good thing to try first to make any mistakes before moving to the final fabric. Measure twice, cut once and all that! 😊
Thats a wrap on classes for 2022! More will be coming soon for 2023. Keep an eye on my social media and the course page for more information. 
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Intro to Pattern Cutting is Tomorrow!!!

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Throwback: 1st year Denim Shacket Submission

As my current first years get ready to submit their very first undergraduate project today, i wanted to throwback to this time last year where the now second years handed in their own denim 'shacket' projects. 

The first project for a university degree is probably one of the scariest (i still remember mine vividly!), but it teaches you a lot about your own skills, capabilities, knowledge and sometimes, even your own bravery!

Some of last year's shackets were featured in a Fashioning Futures exhibition discussing 'Sustainable Practices: Embedding sustainability into the curriculum across the school of Fashion and Textiles'. 

My colleague Karen selected 6 of the shirts from our module to feature that looked at sustainable processes and asked each student to highlight areas of their own conscious practice. 

See the brilliant pieces and read their own sustainable thoughts in the pictures below, and take a tour of the exhibition in the short video :)

Farryn Baker-King
 
Alina Stanciu
 
Rhiannon Chrisene
 
Vanessa Amofa Baah
 
Jessica Cliffe
 
Nicholas Fletcher
 

Take a tour of the full exhibition in the video below:




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Brunch with a View

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TBT: Elephants in Spitalfields

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The Little Dictionary of Fashion: O is for...

O is for Occasions, Older Women and Ornaments in in the Little Dictionary of Fashion by Christian Dior. 

It seems that it's important to not be over or underdressed, that 'little girl fashions' are no good after a certain age, and ornaments can be superfluous if worn incorrectly. 

Fashion advice from Dior in 1954 - the maker of all makers. 
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Pattern Alterations - Trouser Fitting at The Sewing Cafe

Such a great sewing Saturday on my Pattern Alteration - Trouser Fitting at The Sewing Cafe. 

A sold-out session that looked at some of the difficulties that can occur when fitting trousers. 

Pattern alteration on the flat, although not foolproof, can correct a number of issues before doing a test garment or 'toile'. 

Some of the things we looked at were taking precise measurements to compare with patterns, lengthening or shortening the crotch measurement, basic grading techniques, how to increase and decrease darts, and create a back yoke. 

We also discussed some of the commercial pattern and fit issues that can occur and the ways to fix them. 

A wonderful session accompanied with tea and cake...whats not to love!

Is there anything you're interested in learning? Get int touch to see if a new course is coming soon
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