Thigh High socks

Last night (Saturday) I decided to try and make some socks! I wanted them to be able to be attached to the corset so added I added loops at the top, attaching them also stopped the socks slipping down as they are not very stretchy.

I would have liked to sew them with a rolled edge over lock as this is a quick, cheap and efficient way of sewing them but the university doesn't have one :( Instead I finished them with a french seam which is usually more for sheer delicate fabrics but worked just as well (although there was a little bulk created).The cotton fabric is very warm and feels good on the skin.

pinning on me cause I got no other way!

Unfolded pattern unusual shape! ha

Cleaned up pattern and doubled.

French seams but would use rolled over lock for mass production.

Upturned and tacked sock ends.

Final socks/tights

Also tested out putting hole into this knit, It didn't cause the fabric to warp dramatically which is great. Also tried stitching edge. If I make more stockings I think I would like to explore putting holes into them like I did in my original sketches.

Multiple design variations

Experimenting with multiple versions of one garment (keeping key theme). I think for the body suit I stayed to much to the same design and with the knickers I varied so far that there was little connection. But I do think It opened my eyes up to the many possibilities with knickers.

Body suits 1 & 2

Body suits 3 & 4

Body suits 5 & 6

Knickers 1-6

Knickers 7-12

Making a Corset

From Thursday last week I have been making a waist corset/garter belt. I had never worked with boning before and did not have a pattern! I was really happy with the end result but there were many mistakes and alterations that needed to be made on the way which isn't surprising!

Stage 1. Pattern making

measuring body and plotting panel measurements

Panels, front and back are symmetrical and side panels also.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Stage 2. Sewing up

After adding boning I could tell that there was still a lot of excess fabric at the top on either side.

The peak at the front would not stay up so I added two more boning panels which also helped to add structure at the front, thus having a flattering affect.

   Cutting down boning to sizes and covering ends.

 Final fit. I then made some fabric using method and materials like in past assignment (De-solvable fabric, cotton thread, wool) and made a frill trim.

After these photos the elastic garter straps were added with wool yarn for tying on to stockings at the ends. I was very please at how it turned out! I think the web fabric and raw calico edges added a whimsical old aspect to it. Will post picture on form soon.

Early Mood Board

A rough moodboard to start. I would really like to use some imagery from MAD BUNNY's tumblr but the pics arnt high res enough :( I want to capture the leasure and elegance while still having a natural degrading and stillness. Better to start with something tho eh? I do like the image of the girl with the fan as she is an ideal image of my consumer. Ive played with masking off some of the scanned muslin fabric to reveil an image of drowned deers behind but it is not that noticable. I want the fabrics to look like a curtain but I still think this is far from finished!

Synopsis

The Fall/Winter 2012 lounge intimatesand sleepwear collection ‘Forget-me-not’ is inspired by the fragility, layering and deterioration of memory. This is expressed through era inspired garments, layering,textural contrast within the garments and holes in the fabric and/or garment.

Both the sense of deterioration and dreamy tranquillity is created by thewatery amalgamated colour pallet which ranges from creamy whitesand purple pinks to soft greys, foggy greens and misty blue to forest and sea greens and blues. The muted colours help to create that feeling of quiet stillness within the memory and past.

The garments seem aged, with inspiration from many eras; features such as the 1920’s loose hung hemlines to orientalism inspired kimono wraps and high waist shorts echoing 1950’s bathing suits. The loose silhouettes, soft knits and weaves create a comfort and ease within the garments. The layering within the outfits along with the different garment shapes creates a layered look which has many levels of exposure.

The natural, seemingly simple fabrics (such as calico or warm wool) are finished with beads, frills and raw edges creating modern simplicity and charming honesty within the garments while retaining a bit of glamour and fragility.These details within the garments make them precious and like old treasured items.

The collection is accessorised by winter lounging essentials such as knit hats, felt caps, stockings and socks, felt slippers, sleeping masks, shawls and of course felt bead necklaces which add to the soft glamour.

This collection brings back the importance of comfort and style within lounge intimates and sleepwear, putting an easy glamour back into those Sunday mornings.

Dyeing Experiments

Dyeing experiments done 2 nights ago. I experimented with tea dyeing and watering down blue and yellow fabric paint. Tried on cotton knits, muslin cloth and mutton cloth. I also had another attempt at knitting with different colours together.

Pictures of the two processes.

Butter muslin blotted with tea.

Butter muslin blotted with  tea and dipped lightly in blue green dye.

Mutton cloth sponged with soft blue green dye.

Organic Cotton yarn dipped in tea.

Organic Cotton yarn sponged in soft blue green dye.

New knitting sample dipped in blue green dye.

All 6.

All up I was really excited about the results, I think they have the subtle dreamy worn look I was after. Also I was very happy with how my second attempt at knitting different colours together went, I loved adding the raw wool into the knit because it added some great soft texture and helped merge the transitions. But I feel there is a lack of pink/purple within the fabric colours but perhaps this can be addressed through the beading and accessories or trims.