sewing charlotte

I thought I could also post another interesting technique I quite recently used in my old sketchbook for plant repeat patterns using dye and varnish. This was my first time using dye and varnish together I normally use dye on its own quite often. To create these bright repeat patterns, firstly I applied a thin layer of dye to each A5 piece of paper. Then I let that dry and put on vanish in different shapes to create a repeat pattern which could be seen when dry. After letting that dry I applied a different coloured dye so that the varnished areas stood out this took a while to dry. Finally I did apply more varnish to some of the pieces which I thought needed it. Overall I really love how these turned out, the vivid colours to add a lot to the pieces in my opinion.

Also from my last sketchbook of my coursework I created a sewing themed basic realest pattern which I have shown on digital formats before on previous blog posts, but thought at I would share what it actually looked like in hand form. Firstly I printed off a series of pictures off the internet of a silhouetted sewing machine, needle and bobbin (I drew the thread silhouette). Then I traced over the images and traced them on to A3 paper where I had beforehand measured out where everything needed to go. Finally I filled them in with different coloured paint I used acrylic and fine liner. Overall I love the way this turned out a I think it is very good and effective, and worked well on a digital format as well.

As part of my coursework at college at the moment, I had to create a wallpaper which could be sold at Liberty of London (I am now on the second part of my coursework). I used my old sketchbook where I had used plants as a theme for inspiration. I used fine liner and ink and bleach to create a series of repeat patterns, where I created one square of each and then photocopied them so I could create together. I then used these pieces for inspiration when creating my wallpaper.

Today in college we have been using adobe illustrator to create the outline of a barbie doll. This technique we learnt about today I will be able to use in future garment designs. We firstly used the pen icon to draw over the outline, and then removed the barbie doll image behind which would leave just the outline. I then coloured the image in so it stands out to the contrast of the white background. Overall I am happy with how it turned out and will be able to use this technique in future garment designs.

At college we have been exploring Adobe Illustratir further. We have been learning how to put an image into illustrator and put text over the top. I had seen this technique before but this was my first time creating my own. To create the clipping mask you insert the shape into the image and use the selection tool to select over both the image and the text this will mean that the image will be inserted into the text.

In college we have been exploring how to create repeat patterns online. I have been exploring the different tools you can use on the programme. I wanted to outline the subjects to make them stand out better to the white background. Also I thought that the outline could be created into a separate repeat pattern as well. Overall I am happy with what I crested and am excited to explore the programme more in the future.

In college we have been exploring repeat patterns and how to create them by hand and now online. I used photoshop which I had never used properly before so it was quite new for me. We were exploring how to make our handmade repeat patterns repeat into a sort of commercial way. I found that the advantages of using this method was that it was quicker to create the repeat pattern that by hand. I found that the limitations were that it was hard to make the repeat pattern accurate. Overall I would recommend the programme.

Recently I have purchased new fabrics for this season and for future sewing projects and I thought I would share it with you on my blog. All the fabrics are 100% cotton. Firstly I bought a 6 pack fat quarter Christmas themed set because I would like to make Christmas themed bunting or fabric ornaments but will be sure to post my creations on my blog. Also I bought a 3 pack of Christmas coloured ribbon as well.  I bought another 6 pack fat quarter set which I think will be great for any small projects in the Spring/Summertime as the prints are very bright and colourful. Also I bought 2 meters of a blue and white star fabric which I’m not sure what I will make yet but will post when I do. To finish off my mini haul I bought green ribbon for my Halloween costume which i posted on my blog a few days ago. Happy sewing  Charlotte x

Since I started my Fashion & Textiles course at college I have discovered new sewing products. I thought I would share some of my favourites on my blog.  Firstly I had never really made my own patterns properly before joining college. Tracing wheels have become a very useful part of my sewing kit and I have started using them often when making patterns. Another pattern making piece of kit is the pattern master which I use alongside my tracing wheels when creating my patterns, they save a lot of time when creating my pattern pieces. Also I have come to love fabric wash out pens or fading pens which are so useful I have used them at college and on new small projects I’ve been working on at home. I find them a lot more useful than chalk as they don’t stain which chalk can sometimes do.  In case you are wondering I get most of my sewing equipment on Amazon. I would like to make this a sort of thing I update when I find new products I love. Happy sewing  Charl...

This year for Halloween my friends and I decided to go as the Powerpuff Girls. We decided to DIY our costumes which I had never done before. Firstly we bought over sized tshirts to be worn as dresses. We used black bias binding around the waists with a bow at the back to create a different sort of look. Also we bought over the knee socks and got ribbon of the colours of the Powerpuff Girls and tacked them onto the elasticacted top. Then we used the left over ribbon and put matching bows in our hair. To finish off the look we wore white trainers and used matching eyeshadow of the correct colours. Overall I’m really pleased with how the look came out on the night. Happy sewing Charlotte x

At the moment at college we are exploring how to create repeat patterns.  I wanted to create a sewing themed repeat pattern, I decided to draw silhouetted needles, thread, scissors and a sewing machine. I wanted to use block colours as they are bold and stand out to the white background I have used.  To create my repeat pattern I used tracing paper to make sure all the shapes were the same. To shade in the shapes I used fine liner for the needles and sewing machine. Also I used watercolour in grey and pink to fill in the thread and scissors. I think this design would work well as cushion fabric for a keen sewer!  Overall I am pleased with the way it turned out. Happy sewing  Charlotte x