Specialist Focus Module, May 2016

I was approached early on in the year to construct a prom dress

for a client.

I chose to drape it on a stand rather than use a pattern,

these images show the first steps in the toile stages

I had to calculate the amount of netting required before

moving on to the construction side of things. I used a paper

template to get the size and shape of the peplum

Below is the lining after the first fitting

Here is the finished fishtail dress, with lace detail, I cut out the

individual shapes then hand sewed

all the lace to the dress individually,

which took forever.

We chose to use power-net for the back as it was quite low,

too low for a teenage prom, with added detail of stringed pearls.

The lace is sewn heavily around the hem and gradually moved

up the dress.

I used Crin in the hem to give it volume which  made the net

stand out.

The client loves the finished outcome and cannot wait

for her Prom night.

Sinamay, Silk Flowers and Feathers

 

 

Sinamay Lilly, twists and leaves.

I found this technique very therapeutic

if I had more sinamay I would have made more

 

 

Below

(L) random design, (R) rose and leaves,

(fingers are feeling a bit sore now)

 

Silk Flower

Dyed with desired coloured, edges singed to stop fraying

 hand sewn together individual petals

 

 

 

Feathers

These ostrich, pheasant and turkey feathers have been cut,

trimmed, dyed and curled for finished effects

 

 

 

Three of the four hats and feathers I handed in for submission

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hats I have interpretated Sinamay and Harris Tweed flat cap

 

 

Here I have blocked my Sinamay hat, the calico is

used to protect the sinamay when the pins are removed

 

 

 

Dried and ready to remove from the block,

not bad for first go, pleased with the results,

 

 

 

 

I have made a paper template to find the right size for the crown,

 once this is done hand sewing starts again to attach

brim to crown

 

 

Finishing touches.

 Velvet band around the crown, I have also made a bow

 that has been attached to the velvet which will be visible

on the professional images I will up-load at a later date.

Petersham is attached inside and binding around the brim

to finish off the whole look

 

 

 

 

I used this paper pattern to make the flat cap

 

 

Machined sewn seams, ironed, measurements taken for head size. The

Harris Tweed is lovely to work with well worth the money

 

 

This is the padded lining I used with the Harris Tweed label

machine sewn in

 

 

 

Finished Flat Cap

 

 

 

Really pleased with my finished cap, just need to get in a hot shower

 to shape it to my head, a tip from the armed forces.

 

 

 

 

I have really enjoyed this millinery module and would love the

opportunity to make more hats

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hats I interpretated for my course, 2015

 

Inspiration comes from the Australian detective show

Miss Fishers Murder Mysteries

 

Different stages and processes of making hats

 

This is the start of my buckram hat, blocked and pinned

to hold the shape

 

 

 

Buckram all dried and ready to hand sew the crown

to the brim,

 

This image looks bitty but its just the light shining on the

four-way stretch velvet, finished off with lace

 

Below is my Black Spanish Gaucho Hat

and my cream Cloche hat 

 

Below is the cloche hood after blocking, pins removed

and the felt stiffener has been applied and left to dry

 

 

 

This stage has now been ironed and cut into shape,

and ready for decoration

 

 

 

 

Hand sewn decoration gives the finishing touch

to this Cloche hat

 

 

 

 

Stockport Hat Museum, Manchester, England. December 2015

 

I am now in my second year at University, CCAD Hartlepool one of our modules

is Millinery, so a group of us decided to make the trip to this museum

 

 

 

                                    Well worth the trip, the guided tour was very informative,
                             learning techniques that we used to make our hats for the module

                                                                          
                        This was our lovely guide, holding a wooden block which shapes a flat cap

 

 

Another wooden hat block

 

We then moved on to the collection of hats in their cases

 

Top Hat

 Light silk plush with felt hat band, 1900,

by Leonards of London

 

 

Danni Minogue's tartan hat 2002

 

Rugby Union Cap

 

This was an American themed glass case

 

 

I would like to thank The Hat Museum for allowing me to publish these

photographs from their collection

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Decendants Costumes November 2015

I and fellow student Shannon Garland were approached by Northern Costumiers ltd

Director Lauren Deal to assist in the construction of four costumes

commissioned by Ginger Parties

 

Characters names

Mal

 

                                                                               
                                     for 2015 opening night at  Newcastle Christmas lights festivities

                                                                            Carlos

 

Rear view

                                                                           
                             

                                                                            Evie

                                                                              Jay

 

 

Gaining valuable experience working with new fabrics

deadlines and pattern cutting

 

Photographs taken by Lauren Deal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kirkleatham Museum WW1 Costumes 29th September 2015

 

I feel so privileged to be able to get up close and personal

to these amazing costumes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can I just say a big thank you to

Kirkleatham Museum 

for allowing me to use their photographs