Final project 2 looks: Week 9 - 13

Week 9 is the big moment where all our choices come together. We start by checking out the technical drawings for our two looks. With a hand from Ms. Melina, we jump into turning those designs into real-life patterns. I'm taking it slowly, handling one look at a time to keep things clear and straightforward. It's all about making sure each pattern gets the attention it needs as we turn our fashion ideas into the real deal.

With the patterns in hand, I dived into crafting the top for my first look. Staying true to the sustainability goal, I opted to repurpose flannel sourced from thrifted shirts as the outer layer. After cutting the pieces, it was time to fire up the sewing machine and bring it all together.

Once everything was stitched together, the next step was to add the lining. Unfortunately, I found myself without the right lining material, so I had to borrow some from a classmate. The catch, though, was that the only available colour was white, which didn't quite match the red and black colour scheme of the outfit. Sometimes, you've got to roll with the punches and make it work! 

In Week 10, shifting focus to the skirt became the real time and effort sink. Constructing the upper part, from waist to thigh, with denim, and the remainder with mesh presented a challenging task of merging two vastly different fabrics seamlessly. Incorporating strips of denim and ensuring proper draping added an extra layer of complexity, feeling like a bit of a Herculean feat, especially for me. Yet, the payoff in the end made every bit of the effort worthwhile.

In Week 11, a pre-booked trip forced me to be away from the studio, creating a significant setback. Unfortunately, this absence resulted in a loss of valuable time, adding a layer of challenge to the ongoing creative process.

Upon returning in Week 12, attention shifted to crafting my second look—a streamlined tube top dress with two shoulder straps. This design, marked by its simplicity and lack of bombastic details, provided an opportunity to hone in on the sewing process. The absence of intricate elements allowed for cleaner stitching and a more polished final result.

In Week 13, the pressure was on as it was our final week to wrap everything up. I dedicated this time to elevating my designs through fabric manipulation. For look 1, I incorporated eyelets into the denim strips and attached crochet chains made from parcel rope. In the case of look 2, I added eyelets to the shoulder strips and laced them with parcel rope, giving off a combat boot-inspired aesthetic. These finishing touches added a unique flair to my creations.

Presentation - This was it, the moment where our looks come to life as they are worn by amazing models. Tensions ran high as everyone hustled, ensuring the perfect fit for each model. Witnessing our garments come to life, gracefully worn and animated, was nothing short of surreal. Weeks of dedication and hard work had culminated in this very moment, and the overwhelming sense of satisfaction was beyond words.