Working the Cowl

Just trying out different cowl necklines with different fabrics.

This is Silk Crepe de Chine.Double Silk Georgette

Silk Crepe de Chine again, draped on the back.

Working the Style Lines

As part of the design process, I like to drape all sketches. I find that I work better on the form. It also gives me an opportunity to think about the construction of garment, which works better on a 3D medium.

Here's is the finished style lines for one of the designs. This design varied a lot from the sketch, but that happens. I also started to do the pattern for this design, but I found it to be too time consuming so I am going to have to hire a pattern maker.

I Work Where I Eat

After living in NYC for over 10 years, I've become quit used to living in small spaces. And while my current apartment isn't small by NYC standards, when I am working, I do wish I had a large loft with a large working table and all the room to run around in.

Here's a picture (that I took a while back ... still waiting for my camera) of my working space.

It's not too bad, except I feel like I have to clean up after each work session because it is also my living space. I can't just close a door and forget about all the fabric scrapes on the floors, loose thread lying around, and all the various tools of the trade I've collected over the past year or so.

First Attempt at Draping

I spent all of yesterday draping first muslin of one of my designs. It took me quit a long time, 'cause I am a bit out of practice. Sorry, my camera died so I won't be taking pictures for a week or so.

My Casio has served me well for 6-7 years. It has taken many pictures of weddings, babies, vacations and birthdays.

After much research and discussion with my DS, I purchased the Canon SD900 camera. I had a hard time deciding between the SD900 and SD850 IS, but when I found a SD900 COACH edition, I just had to have it.

Now I am impatiently waiting for delivery from Amazon. I was too cheap to pay for the faster shipping. Now, I don't think it'll get here before my Vegas vacation starting the 19th .... grrrr.

Meet Lynn

Meet Lynn, my muse. It's a form my mom gave me when I was accepted to FIT, her Alma Mater. Noticed the year Lynn was born, very serendipitous. Her measurements are 34.5 - 25.75"- 35.75". I was planning on making my sample size 34.5" - 27" - 36.5" so I can work on Lynn since it's the bust measurement that's most important.

In my research about sizing in the garment industry, I am amazed at the lack of standardization. I can not believe that I, as a DE can just make up a size and call it a size 6 or 8. I really want to revolutionize this system, but how?

I know there was a whole bunch of posts on this on fashion-incubator.com, but there doesn't seem to be a solution.

I think the best way for me to handle the sizing issue would be to include a sizing chart on the hang tag. And actually manufacture my garments to those specs.

Anyway, so it was a lot of fun draping. I am so much more a draper than a sketcher. But sketching helps me go into a certain direction and draping finalizes the journey.