Evaluation

I was really looking forward to the challenge of this project. So many elements were my choice and it was nice to feel in control of my learning path. I had never worked with a client and wanted to give my self a personal challenge. I had thought for a long time that I wanted to learn about corsetry in my self directed project and the added bonus of a one of these corsets going to The Arts Education School in Chiswick was an opportunity I didn’t want to miss. I’ve really enjoyed working with a client, Its given me a taste of the real world. There are many elements to consider with a clients and it was important to liaise with Ase and to fulfil the specifications the client requested. For instance Ase wanted the two side seams not enclosed so there was the option of the corset being altered in the future. There is also the budgetary elements to consider, we kept the line of contact open throughout email to Ase on all the financial and constructional decisions. Fittings also had to be arranged and scheduled , all of this put together forced me to keep on the ball. It would be unacceptable of me to turn up with below standard corset or unfinished even if it was only for the first fitting. I gave my self the challenge to keep high standards but also give my self time to work methodically and not get behind, worry and lead to slap dash work.
The dynamic of working in a group was also was beneficial, It was a good way to set the pace and was also a nice forum to bounce ideas around, share construction tips and solutions. I surprised myself when I was able to help a member of the group with the stage of the construction I had not yet tackled myself, from the depth of my mind came a stowed away piece of knowledge from previous projects. I was a bit emotionally and mentally broken from the ‘Concept in Context’ project and had also lost my confidence. I needed this project to build me up again ready for third year .I hate using dyslexia as an excuses and I like to think it doesn’t effect me but unfortunately it seems to reign, its not unknown that I find time management hard, its not the case im lazy or unmotivated it just I cant compartmentalise sections of my work. I will spend to long on some parts and obsesses about others while other things get left behind. This and pattern drafting was my two major opponents in this project which I wanted to defeat. Im very under confident in the pattern drafting area and I wanted to concur this, making sure in third year it would not be a opposing factor in my work . Graham’s method of pattern drafting for corsets has really turned that around for me. It was almost a ‘Eureka’ moment I was on my second pattern and something just ‘clicked’. These weren’t just lines on a pieces of paper, I suddenly understood the proportions, how it work in 3d and how if something didn’t look quite right I had the knowledge to reshape and work with the contours of the body. Its like I develops my pattern drafting eyes. This sudden understanding off the drafting was then reflected in my successful fittings. Not to be cheesy about the matter but my first fitting with the 18th century corset was a poignant moment for me. The successful fitting of that brought back a bit of confidence which I’ve lost these last months and it relight and verified why I was doing this. At no point of this year have I ever wanted to drop out far from it. I put my heart and soul in to this course but I was starting to wonder why it was me always falling behind, why everything had to be explained to me twice. Should it be this hard? This thought was subdue after the success of my fittings. I saw my development progress further in my next two fittings, firstly with my Arts Ed corset there was no tutors present and then my S-bend corset. Being an impromptu fitting due to circumstances with my model I was able to successfully assess what was wrong and what was need to rectify it to corresponding with the complex pattern. It may take me longer than to learn tan others but the satisfaction I got from being able to see the improvements in my work and self, was more beneficial to me than getting 1st all year. Of course grades are important to me and I would love to be able to be proud of a finished project and a grade reflecting that, but also I know im still learning and the important thing is to address my weakness and improve.

photos

20th century construction

The construction for my 20th century S-bend corset is coming along but slowly. The set back I’ve had for the making of the 18th century has put me behind schedule. Its also a shame my model will not be returning in time for a second fitting. I no normally for corset you don’t have a second fitting but because of the complex structure I wanted on to double check . I have finished the drill understructure though and shall soon be cutting out top fabric. The drill section was easier this time to construct because I had done it before in the toile and also the adjustment have made some of the curves more gradual making sewing a lot easier. I used to have issues with curved seams and I can truly say this corset has sorted that out for me. I'm getting slight anxious with time know. I’ve been very dedicated with project so it frustrates me that my behind schedule.

18th Century Construction

The construction of my 18th century is going well so far. I’ve cut out all top fabric pieces making sure the CF and CB patterns will match. The CF was tricky as it’s going from a slight curve at the bottom to a 1cm divert at the top. The fabric has to be on the straight of grain so matching the pattern on top of that is tricky. But after many hours and many swear words it’s got done and im pleased to say it looks good. Im proud of my self keeping the attention to detail. When I get stressed, I tend to be a bit slap dash but im trying to give myself enough time to work without worry. I need to enclose the front seams and sew boning cannels next

Arts Ed Construction

The construction of my Arts Ed corset is going well. I had to keep reminding myself that Ase wants the two side seams NOT ENCLOSED so in the future it can be altered. This will obviously affect binding. So I shall make it in quarters. The first three panels either side of the CF need to be enclosed and bound. Next the two panels either side of the CB enclosed and bound then sew the open seams. Press open the seams, and place in a fell seam and slip stitch down the seam allowance, doing a fell seam means Ase has the seam allowance required to adjust it. The fabric give to us from Ase is good fabric to use but I got a bit frustrated when sewing the seam lines, as I was trying to match the patterns together and realistically because of it being curved seams they were never going to match. I’ve made sure the CF and CB will match when on the body. This is the first time I’ve tried enclosed seams and so far its going smoothly and see the importance of having accurate pattern pieces or else the top fabric and backing won’t match up.

Disater strikes

Over the weekend i decided to give my lovely sewing machine a much needed oil to say thank you for all the work its been doing. I oiled it then cleaned it up so when it came to sewing it should be all ready to work. So there i was sewing away with my bone channels of my 18th Century Corset when suddenly a dollop of black oil appears on the drill. As you can imagine i was not impressed and spent the next 40 Min's taken my sewing machine apart and wiping it down. i manged to get rid of the stain and 10 Min's later my machine in a last effort to anger me chewed up my top fabric. why i don't no! to conclude remaking the back panel and the sewing machine is in the corner of the room thinking about what its done.

emails

Ase sent an email back today verifing which busk she would like from Vena Carva website. So I have ordered 3 from Mandy, George and Me. I belive charlie has brough one already.