EVERYDAY PEOPLE

This project focused on learning how to adjust patterns and learning the square cut pattern technique

This project had two parts. For the first part we were tasked with making 4 half-scale calico bodices displaying various pattern adjustments. For the second part I had to make a kimono with the square cutting pattern technique.

For my first bodice I changed the position of the darts and added on gathered sleeves. I found changing the dart positions relatively straight forward, the part I struggled with were the sleeves. This was my first time gathering and I was given feedback that the gathers are uneven. I think this is because I didn't measure out the gathers and I hand sewed the gather stitches so they weren't all the same size. Next time I will aim to carefully measure out the gathers and machine stitch the gathering stitches. Sewing in the sleeves was also challenging because the arm hole is so small. I overcame this by tacking the sleeve on and then carefully machine stitching it, this way the sleeve didn't move while I was sewing it together.

For my second bodice I changed the neckline and also made the arm hole slightly more square. I found this pattern the easiest one to adjust and make as I just had to draw on the desired shape. I top stitched the neckline when the panels were together in order for it to be a clean seam as for the last bodice I found it very difficult to give a clean, even finish.

For my third bodice I altered the darts into gathers and added flared sleeves with a gathered head. The difficulties I faced here were very similar to the ones I faced while making my first bodice, mainly because this one also has gathers. From making these bodices, I have learnt a lot about gathering and hope that my next attempt looks neater.

For my final bodies I altered the pattern to incorporate panels. This is my favourite bodice outcome and I really enjoyed the challenge of matching the panels on both sides. I think this would be an interesting technique to experiment with different colours on and I hope to try this out in a future project on a full size garment.

I made a kimono using the square pattern cutting technique. The idea of this technique was to have as little waste as possible. I did achieve this as I had very little waste fabric, so this is a technique I would like to try again as it proves to be more environmentally friendly.

This was my first time using this pattern cutting technique and I found it a lot more straight forward than other techniques I've used before, although I think it would only work on a loose fitting garment. My feedback mentioned that the sleeves should have been wider for it to look more kimono like. I think this was a calculation mistake when figuring out how big the square should be for the sleeves. It was also mentioned that I should press all the seams well. The ones that I had pressed nicely did have a much crisper and neater look so, I will make sure to carry that forward.

To decorate my kimono I found this ribbon that I thought went with the colour of the kimono really well and bias bound the hem and the sleeves with it. I really enjoyed finishing the garment like this as I think it gives a finished and well put together look. I chose to finish the garment off by testing out the decorative stitches on my sewing machine and found this diamond stitch that matched the pattern of the ribbon. I thought that this would be a good way to tie the whole garment together and I really like the effect of the garment with these decorations.