Final Photo Shoot

Today I have been able to take images of my two final garments, I am extremely happy with the results, working with the WW2 theme that I found through the brewery I have used props that relate to this. 

Simple studio shots make the most of the garments and show them off in the simplest form. I didnt want to do anther location shoot as I think this could have taken the eye away from the garments. I have used a very simple pose and both the male and female models have posed in the same position. 

Behind the Scenes of the photoshoot

Today was the day I had booked the studio to take professional images of my garments on models. I wanted to photograph and design the shoot myself so that all the work displayed at the exhibition was my own. Taking photos and playing around with the images was good fun and we were able to use different combinations of props within the shoot. I wanted the pose to be very simple to show off the garments the best I could and so that the series of four images I was displaying at the show would all compliment each other. Managing the shoot was tricky at times as I was the one making all the decisions, but was also taking the photographs, however, the experience was enjoyable and the outcomes are amazing.

Finished black dress

After constructing the black dress, I am impressed how they have both turned out and look like part of a collection which was my aim.

I am excited for tomorrows photoshoot and have ensured that all props are in place and ready for the afternoon, I have scheduled with both models to meet at 12 so that the shoot can get under way quickly. The photography studio is booked and I am guaranteed my place.

Construction of black dress

I have begun to construct the black dress. The fabric is tricky to work with and I have had a few problems trying to get it to work. But I have successfully put together the top part of the dress including the binding around the armholes. It is looking good at the moment and I am hoping it will look as good once I've finished.
I have yet to install the zip into the back of the dress and attach the bottom, I am currently working with the positioning of the pleats around the dress. Trial and error is the best way to figure out where the pleats are ideal. Adapting the pattern has meant that I am unable to use the pleats and lines suggested by that, this has made it slightly more tricky. Unfortunately the black fabric has shrank a little since washing it, meaning the pattern pieces were all slightly smaller than the cream one, this has meant that I cannot use the same measurements for pleats.
It has taken a little longer than I initially anticipated, but will be finished completely for my photoshoot which is scheduled for Thursday afternoon.

Finished cream dress

I have finished making the cream dress and have put a belt on it to pull it in at the waist. Here it looks slightly feminine, but I am convinced that in the photoshoot, when modelled on a man that it will fit with my androgynous theme.
The hardest part of the construction was placing the zip in the back. It runs a long way down and is designed to be hidden. Lining up all the seams was a challenge, taking time and patience to ensure the final look was to a high standard. I am going to move straight onto constructing the black dress, with more experience of how the pattern works, it should be easier to figure out. I have decided to leave the bottom un-hemmed to let the threads dangle down, giving a distressed feel like that of the building.

Second dress construction

I have started to construct my cream dress. This involved sewing all the front and back panels together and neatening the armholes with binding. Unfortunately there was none of the digitally printed fabric left to bind the armholes which was not ideal. I have improvised by using plain calico to tie the top with the bottom of the garment. The fabric isn't as flexible as I wished for garment creation, but hadnt realised this before the beginning of construction, this was an error on my part and ideally I would have used thinner calico. I have to organise the positions of the pleats yet which is proving a challenge, but they are a crucial part of the shape of the dress and how it falls, so I want to take time and care over them to make sure they are exactly right.

The collar has has interfacing placed on the back so that it keeps its upright position and stays shaped. This is an important step to keep the shape of the dress. The pattern contains brief instruction, but I have figured out most of the pattern myself as I have adapted it to fit my needs, and this slightly alters the instructions. I am sure that this will be finished by the end of the day.

Front

Back

Screen printing my final dress

Using special ink and a personalised screen I was able to screen print the text rather than stencilling it on. It ensures less mistakes and is more precise. It took until 8 at night to do my negative prints, solidly working all day, but less time to do my cream dress as i was more used to printing the text without blocking the screen. One the screen is blocked the ink wont press through and it has to be washed, this is frustrating when printing large pattern pieces. I enjoyed printing and believe the pieces of the dress have been done to a high standard. A few parts went wrong and full pieces had to be redone, but I wanted to ensure that each part was done the best I could.

Pinned up dress

Ive only pinned it together at the moment, but you can see the way it will look when its sewn together. I am pleased with the outcome and am excited to sew it all together. After pinning it on to the mannequin today, I was then able to over-lock the edges to ensure no further fraying occurred on this fabric. After it had been washed the fabric unfortunately shrank and frayed.
I still have to decide where I want the pleats and how the dress will fall, I know that I want structured pleats as a pose to gathering as this adds the much needed masculinity to the garment.

Printed Pattern Pieces

Using special fabric and discharge screen printing I have been able to effectively bleach the colour our of the black fabric. The discharge ink attacks the dye molecules of the fabric and  alters the colour. It took a whole day from 9am-8pm but it was well worth it. I then steam ironed the fabric to chance the colour and washed the excess ink off. I will be making all these pattern pieces into my garment, but before that I have to overlock the seams. The effect is unusual and I really like the way it has turned out.

Digitally printing my fabric

After experimentation with screen printing on top of my digital prints I have decided that for the top of my second dress I will use a busy digital print using an image from the brewery. By layering the image up on the programme for the digital printer I have been able to create my own design on the fabric using my primary photograph below. I want to experiment with putting text over the top of these and see what works best.

Negative screen prints

Using special fabric and a special screen printing ink I was able to create this effect as a pose to ordinary screen printing. This made me think about what I wanted to make for my final garments. I have decided that if it is possible within time constraints I would like to make two dresses intended for both sexes. One black dress with the negative screen prints and one made from cream calico with digital printing and screen printing.