The Your Label team were challenged to produce some final catwalk garments using Julians techniques to kickstart their collection, they had mixed success!
DIY Your Label:
A good way to get your ideas flowing is to just get some fabrics together and start experimenting!
Fabrics:
Choose fabrics that aren’t too expensive so you won’t be too worried if things go wrong. You can use jersey, woven fabrics, silky lightweights or anything you think you can work with, see how they behave when they’re cut and sewn. Now you’re ready to start.
Getting Started:
Have an idea of what you want the final garment to look like but be flexible and experimental. Use a basic block as a starting point, a t-shirt or a simple shift dress can work well or take a simple pattern from a favourite garment.
Toiles:
Cut the basic block from your chosen fabric, sew the main seams and then put your “toile” on a mannequin (or on a team member). See how you can manipulate the fabric to alter the garment. Add extra panels, cut areas away, elasticate, add darts, print, add embellishments, be as experimental as possible. Don’t worry about prefect finishing at this stage it’s about getting some ideas flowing. You can hand sew or use a machine.
Evaluate:
When you’re happy that you’ve taken your garment as far as you can try it on someone and see how it works. Consider whether you’re happy with your fabric choice. What works/doesn’t work?….. Why?
Keep working on your garment or use it as a template for the next one. Aim for at least one garment that you’d be happy to put in your final collection.
The Your Label team took a really experimental approach and had some crazy fabric choices but came up with 3 interesting garments. In the end they had one garment (the black trousers) which made it to the catwalk and two others which didn’t work so well but which they later made in different fabrics for the final collection.
Dv8 Sussex offer a free course in Level 2 Fashion and Design, click here for more information.
