Shingo Sato exercises-by Toni Anne Everitt

Started a new internet course in the last couple of weeks, taught by the infamous designer Shingo Sato: he is a Milan based designer who teaches Transformational Reconstruction. It is an internet course only available to people who are invited to take part and is a once in a blue moon opportunity as this is only the second time this course as been available, also with no charge.

The course is going to last approx 2 months with a new exercise to do every week to upload to showcase. I have just uploaded the first two exercises which were based upon one seam bodices; using the apex’s of the darts to join a one line design onto the front and back of a bodice.

During these exercises they have helped me to sew better especially around curves and corners teaching me about mountains and valleys and how important it is to cut into the fabric to ease it.

I have been using thick calico and any fabric I’ve got hanging around the house; which is a red cotton material at the moment and also using my new sewing machine!

This is the first bodice-made by following Shingo Sato's excersise including the design.

This is the front of the bodice

The back of the bodice.

A close up of one of the points-quite proud of it!

Then after completing the first exercise; the next aim was to make your own variation with your own design.

The only negative comment I have recieved was that my ironing needs to be improved!

Which I think is fair enough-being I don't even own an ironing board, so I will have to sort that out!

 

Im quite happy with it and I'm hoping to show my designs up here once their done!

 

New Handmade Bag!

So I did make my Mum’s bag the day after and it took about 6 hours. The obvious thing was I didn’t upload it so straight away so this is what I have planned to do.

I took inspiration from a bag in Peacocks. While I was working, I started paying attention to the bags that we sell and how they were designed, what straps were used and also the sizes-which seemed to be wider more than deeper giving it a more couture look.  So using this as a loose template, I used the pattern that I originally used for my first strap bag on this one. I also knew I wanted it to be a better rendition to showcase that I am hopefully getting better at it so I decided to include a popper to close the top of the bag as well as an inner pocket as part of the lining.

Finished bag.

 

To start with I knew I wanted to create a big roomy bag made from two separate colours with a long shoulder strap. So I opted for my Mums favourite colour; Burgundy with a tan colour leather. As all my bags, it has a front zip and is fully lined in the main bag and the pocket. The original idea was one think shoulder strap attached by D rings, but after unsuccessfully finding any big enough, I decided to create two shoulder straps using the bag in Peacocks as a guide.

Inside; showing the lining and popper.

 

Mum sewn onto the base of the bag.

 

 

I was really chuffed with the straps-being they are the first double straps like this I have done and as a finishing touch “Mum” is sewn into the base of the bag.

 

This was my first bag with all these little details and think it has come out quite professional –I hope the more I do the better I will become at making them and the more professional they will become.

A New Handmade Bag by me!

This is another of my bags I’ve made-except this one was made all on my own and the first item to be sewn on my new industrial sewing machine!

I made it a couple of weeks ago although I couldn’t put it up here as it was a gift for my sister in law but now she’s received it I thought I’d show you.

It’s a fold over clutch bag made from 100% leather which I bought from the internet and is lined with a think cotton mix. The thought behind the design was dripping blood which is why is it made from burgundy and black leather-I originally wanted to sew the design properly (right side to right side) to create a neat seam, but realized that the curves I had created where too tight to get around the machine and the leather was too thick to turn around back on each other. (leson lernt!) So I decided to then try to cut the extra tight curves out of the design but it still didn’t solve the problem so my ingenious plan was then to sew on top-which I did, I think it worked well, though I wished I hadn’t of cut the other tight curves off as it would of created more of an impact.

 

The front of the bag.

 

Bag spread out.

It fastens by a double zip on top (which with practice will be improved-and also if I buy a proper zip foot!) and is lined with purple cotton. I also managed to insert some studs into the leather at the top.

Opened up showing the purple lining and also showcasing the double zips.

I’m aware there are things that could be improved but I’m happy with it. I have since made another bag in cream and tan for a friend-I made my first inner pocket and strap complete with a scroll design though I sadly didn’t take pictures. Also I’m planning to make another bag tomorrow for my Mum as she’s dropping subtle hints about wanting a bag! So once I’ve done it I’ll take some pic’s and show you all.

Miley Cyrus' new haircut.

Everyone seems to be talking about it….. Miley Cyrus’ new do!

Everyone I have spoke to about this says she’s a fool-ruining her beautiful hair, why has she done it… etc. And I agree the picture I saw in a paper; was not flattering! She could have taken it from a better angle. But I do think people forget (cause she’s been on tele screens for millennia!) bur she is only 19.

In her tweet she reportedly said “she’s never felt more her in her whole life” I think this proves it, she just wants to do her own thing and maybe rebel a bit from the “perfect society”. And it’s defiantly caused an impact- although I don’t know if that was what she was after.

And for the actual cut-I quite like it! I saw another person only a couple of days ago with a similar haircut and commented on how much I liked it. I think the drastic change has shocked a lot of people but If she’s channelling her inner rocker or inner punk-why not!

If you’ve got the balls to do it good for you-I think its cool!

I found this picture of her from July-I defiantly prefer her blonde. The nose ring is cool too.

  

This pic is the one I didn't find too flattering for her-she looks like shes took her make up off.

I do like this pic of her with the red lippy-very punky; which is what I love about it. Really cool!

Olympic Closing Ceremony...and some Girl Power!

So the Olympic Games in London 2012 are officially over.

I think unless you were living under a rock, most people caught a bit of the coverage on the tele or the radio.

I, myself, really enjoyed it. I think I found myself as most Brits did-really getting into it, I think as it was in London and therefore made it feel that bit more closer to you, made you feel part of it and I ended up watching it every day when I could.

I loved the opening ceremony; the link to our past and the industrial revolution was amazing and it gave Britain a chance to show what we’ve done for the world and how we’ve evolved. I enjoyed all the music and… who knew the inventor of the internet was British?! How proud am I-without him I wouldn’t be able to right this blog right now, so thank you Mr Tim Berners-Lee.

As for the closing ceremony, if I’m honest I was a little disappointed. I don’t dispute it was very good but I think there were areas that were a little boring. I thought the presentation of the ceremony in the stadium with the union jack on the floor was remarkable.

 Beautiful!

 But things like George Michael doing a song that no-one recognized? Really?! I even preferred One Direction-and that’s saying something. But in spite of this, bringing some of the past music legends were amazing; the John Lennon face that was constructed in the stadium and the interaction that took place with the projection of Freddy Mercury blew my mind a little.

 Freddy.

Also looking at this from a fashion point of view-I did like the models appearing from their lorries and strutting their stuff even if there was a part of me that thought it was a bit pointless.                      I appreciate it was a feat in itself to get all our world famous super models in one place especially to show case British fashion at the Olympics and It was perfect to be showcasing British designers such as Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood and even Victoria Beckham. I do how ever think it is a shame  the contribution that London fashion especially during the “Swinging Sixties” has giving to the world was overlooked and wasn’t brought to the fore front, though it defiantly was good to have a representation of British fashion as part of the ceremony.

Kate Moss wearing Alexander McQueen.

On a higher note; who didn’t love the Spice Girls?!! Don’t answer that as I am aware I could be in a minority. But for a group of 30 something’s that do/don’t like each other from one day to the next, I thought they did a fab representation of their past British Pop Girl power.

I loved the light up taxis (persevering London) and each taxi to their personalities. Victoria was in charge of the wardrobe which I approved of J I thought each Spice looked good, a more grown up version of their former selves-I’m a Geri fan; I did think she’s lost her sense of self a bit within the band but I did like the Union jack reference on each side of her dress.

The Spice girls in front of one the taxis.

 Geri celebrating Girl Power.

I did chuckle to myself a bit though, you could tell Victoria was the designer as when the taxi’s started moving with the girls on the back; she looked amazing with her dipped hem wafting in the wind making more of a statement. It did work though it looked good flowing behind her.

 Vicky on the top of the cab.

On the whole, I loved the show and was a bit sad when the flame got extinguished. But I think it gave the audience a good show and a chance to celebrate something in such a miserable time.

GIRL POWER!!

My handmade bags

Sorry I haven’t posted anything recently.
This week though I have been lucky enough to take part in a bag making course with designer Claudette Joseph. It was a great class and I really enjoyed it-I was able to make a shoulder bag complete with front zip, lined inside and using D rings for the strap. It was made from quite hard leather and also patent PVC covered leather in red; which I fell in love with!
The zip pocket is situated on the front diagonally separating the tan leather and the red patent leather. I’m really lucky I got to be part of the course and I felt taking part in it has given me good experience with sewing with different fabrics.

Me and my bag!

The orange interior lining in the front pocket.

The D rings on the straps.

I have also learnt more about using industrial machines and the changes made to use other fabrics such as leather by changing the needle for a thicker more powerful needle and changing the foot to a Teflon foot so the skin won’t stretch or be pulled as it is being fed through the machine.

The other bag I made was a large clutch bag-which I used today! And I managed to fit loads in it! My purse, mobile, make up, dog’s passports and paperwork, my cardigan and a sewing machine A4 manual! (folded)
It’s made from soft yellow leather and also from thicker black leather. It’s also got a twist in design at the front inspired by the work of designer Shingo Sato which I like as it gives it a focal point. This bag is also lined and has two zip fastenings at the top of the bag-very couture!

My clutch bag with twist design on the front.

Layed out showing the purple lining.

Showing the double ziped edge.

With is, I am hoping to try and make a couple more if I am able to do so and maybe either give them as gifts or start churning out a little factory of bags! Hope everyone likes them as much I as I do!

New Designer show in London

A couple of days ago, I went to the other important graduate show in London-New Designers, which was held in the Design Centre.
It was a beautiful day, the sun was out and beaming down but sadly in the design centre it was sweating! I don't think it was very equipped was the hotter weather and everyone in the show, including myself looked melted.
I did however, find some interesting pieces, especially in the Loughborough University who’s stall was positioned at the entrance -which I feel was a good selling point.
The first piece I looked at was made by Emma Stovin-a 3D textile designer at the university, which I found really interesting and something that I hadn’t seen before in textiles.
I believe it was made from pieces of mirror and dyed colour yarn, threaded through some of the mirror parts.

Emma Stovin-textiler.tumblr.com

There was also another piece that caught my eye, which I found to be quite striking and even might help me with presentation of my final piece next year. I sadly have not picked up any information other than the work was presented at Loughborough University.
Of course, I don’t know but I feel it could have been influenced by the Pattern Magic Books as the design is similar to an accordion sample from the book. But what I really liked was the presentation of the piece and the background, which even though simple, was really effective.

I love the design and the volume in this piece.

At the same stand was another piece which I found inspiring towards what I plan to do this coming year. I was lucky enough to speak to the designer and ask what was used in the making of it. This piece was made by a Luke Harrison-a multi media textile designer, and I found it fabulous! It was heavily constructed with wool which was embroided and printed on, and was constructed using quilted fabric and cardboard to keep its ridged structure. While speaking to him he explained his passion for costume and this was where he was aiming to plan his career. I think it’s an amazing piece and found it one of the only designs to truly capture my imagination.

 Luke Harrison.

There were other pieces I took interest in and was able to take pictures of. I noticed myself drawn to plastic looking materials such as Perspex which I found quite fascinating.

I saw this Perspex piece made by a Georgina Connor-textile designer, which I found quite jewellery like.

 www.georginaconnor.wix.com/textiledesigner

Another Perspex design was made by Owen Knowles, which I liked the thought of this piece as an over garment to fit over a simple white dress-to make it very striking. I also liked that different types of Perspex had been used and the circular side panels wear beaten by hand-which made it all that bit more personal.

   www.owenknowles.co.uk

I was also entriged by another couple of designers which seemed to have very similar theme in both their collections.

Lauren Moore and Laura Chestney have both used Persex as an accessory applied on the top of garments and also made into accessories of their own such as face masks and bags.

With Laura Chestney, I was amazed by her bags-they looked futuristic, using neon coloured Perspex and designed quite unusual.  Lauren Moore also created bags, but had a harder element to them using leather and studs.

Even though they had both used similar materials, it was possible to see the two different personalities behind them.

Laura Chestney- laurachestney.wordpress.com

Lauren Moore- laurenmoorefashion@gmail.com

There was one other garment that I found to stand out-I found it fun, which I believe is something that should be part of fashion.

Elizabeth Bostrom-textiles print and fashion designer was showcasing a garment based upon hair!       Yep! The whole collection had been inspired on hair; the prints used were different variations of hair and on the garment shown on the mannequin-had a shoulder piece made from beautifully coloured wigs! The shoulder pieces are detachable-but I found them fascinating and the colours in the hair were remarkable, I didn’t realize there could potentially be that many colours and I especially liked the dip-dyed hair. I thought it was reminiscent of another hair inspired garment (coat I believe) but I found it really quirky and different.

  Loving the blues and greens in the hair. www.elizabethbostrom.com