Draping. The new way of drafting.

As part of this term at Uni, we've been allowed to pick certain workshops that we thought might be useful to ourselves and our studies as either designers or makers. As a maker I chose the Draping on the Stand elective. I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I signed up to it, but my word is it different to anything I imagined.

If someone said the word draping to me, I would automatically assume flowing dresses, lots of fabric and smooth lines. What we've been doing over the past three weeks couldn't be further from the truth.

So far we've been creating various historical garments (mostly bodices) that are exactly what you'd need to create a pattern. In other words, draping on the stand is the alternative to paper pattern drafting. Although incredibly technical and hard in its own right, draping on the stand is, to me, far more beneficial, interesting and involves a lot less maths!

Here's a quick look at some of the garments we've done do far.

A modern, basic darted female bodice. Front and back.

18th Century Polonaise Front and Back

Sack Back Dress Lining and Full Dress

Learning how to cut on the stand has increased my confidence and knowledge of how to create garments. Who knew that just by cutting and pinning squares of calico onto a stand you could successfully create any style and form of garment that you want.

I feel that this is one of the most useful things I've learnt so far in my studies, and might just be my new prefered way of creating a pattern.

Uni: Round 2

I'm so appalled in myself for letting my enthusiasm and commitment in this blog fail, especially as I had such a costume action packed summer and had so much to share! Much of this I hope to some up in some later posts.

Alas, I must put this to one side and concentrate on the new and exciting opportunities ahead now that I'm back in Bournemouth, and 2 weeks into my second year of costume study.

Having ummed and ahhed greatly last year over whether to become a maker or designer I finally came out as a maker. At the end of the day there was no real choice, I just love making! 

I made my first item of clothing at 11, with a scrap of horrible synthetic black crepe style fabric and some seriously questionable hand-stitching. It was a top. Or it was supposed to be a top. Despite the true horror of this garment, my 11 year old self was so proud of it, that I marched downstairs to show my mum what I'd made. Nearly a decade on (turning 21 next week! Eek!) and I can certainly say my sewing skills have improved, and my passion and love for what I do has increased tenfold.

Not only do I enjoy the making of costumes, but just the act of making itself, and regularly make my own clothes. Over summer I added quite a number to my collection, the most recent being this 60's style dress. Which I am so proud of, it's one of the most complex things I've attempted on my own, with a collar, zip and darted bodice. I feel beautiful in it and just generally adore it. I always know I'm going to get exactly what I want, when I create my own pieces.

In fact, I've had such amazing responses to some of my homemade clothes that I've been considering setting up a small side business selling custom pieces. Not quite sure how to do that yet though. Not sure I have the time or the energy! But keep your eyes pealed, cos it might happen!

Back to uni life.. it's second year, it's harder, it actually counts for my final grade, it's important. Need I go on? Learning so much already, but I'll leave that for a later date.