Back from NYC

So I didn't get to post pictures from NYC, mostly because a) I didn't have my camera cord b) I didn't take pictures c) we were so tired every night to do anything besides collapse and d) I didn't wear a lot of it.

Yes, I only ended up wearing one dress....which I will put up in a later post. I did manage to get one picture in front of Columbia.

However, I did take pictures of all of my dresses today to show you what I intended on wearing. Our hotel was in Brooklyn, and that is quite far from Manhattan, so my idea of changing at night went out the window when we realized how far it was. And the walking! I wanted to wear heels with these dresses, and there was no way I would have been able to last - we walked 10+ miles throughout the entire weekend. It was great though!

Without further ado, my projects:

First, is the dress I did end up wearing, a plaid sleeveless one that I absolutely love. The plaid is so bright, and with the mustard brown sweater I wore with it, it looked very seventies, according to my friends.

Doesn't the plaid look awesome from the side? I managed to match the plaids almost perfectly on the front - the back was a different matter...easily solved by keeping my sweater on all day. It's a little wrinkled from being in the suitcase, but I didn't iron it since I plan on washing it soon anyways - it's cotton, and all the edges are finished thanks to my serger!

Next is one I absolutely love, a purple satin long-sleeved dress. If you can see, I didn't even hem the sleeves and skirt! I was planning to do that the night before I wore the dress, but since I never wore it...I most definitely will though. The Edison downtown, anyone?

Lastly is a white dress I made, hemmed, and tried on on Sunday, but eventually decided against wearing - it's lined and would have been way too warm for the nice October day. Also, there are some fit issues I'll have to work out - somehow it's sized bigger than all of the others, even though it is from the same pattern, and there are a few kinks with the cap sleeves I designed.

Luckily, I'm going back to school tomorrow and can how to both fix the fit problems, and learn how to properly make cap sleeves! I can't wait!

A picture of me in the plaid dress will come soon, I promise.

All my Bags are Packed, I'm Ready to Go...

...NOT! We're leaving in approximately 22 hours (I think - I'll have to check our flight one last time) and I'm not even packed.

However...

...my collection is done! It consists of 4 dresses and 1 skirt - 3 day outfits and 2 night outfits - perfect for the trip! I meant to upload pictures earlier in the week, but with all the sewing and other stuff (MTV's "16 and Pregnant" is a great time-killer), I haven't had the time!

All I can say is that all the dresses are based on the pattern of my blue dress (from the second post) so expect darts, nipped waists, high hemlines, and pencil skirts!

I can't wait until I land in NEW YORK CITY! I'll post pictures of my various projects tomorrow - or later today, however you look at it.

Good night everyone!

Break! And the beginning of "the New York Collection"....

Classes are done, and now it's time to design an entirely new wardrobe! My goal is to have all my own designs when I go to New York on October 1st - I'm allowing myself to wear jeans and t-shirts though...I don't consider myself as great a designer as the Madewell 1937 denim masters!

Without further ado, here is the first piece: an a-line skirt with princess seams and pockets.

I wanted to take pictures of the process, from pattern to completed garment, but I didn't have my camera on me when I was sewing and designing. Here are some close-ups of the back, side, and pocket.

When I bought this fabric from FIDM's Scholarship Store, I immediately knew I could only make a skirt - it was 26" of fabric, and cost me all of 50 cents. I think I was able to get a lot out of it, don't you?

I'm already brainstorming ideas for dresses (I want to make two) and a jacket. Hopefully I'll get those done soon!

Patternmaking Final

Dress: Blue Poly-Crepe with Sleeve Caps, inspired by this Topshop dress.

Belt: H&M

Heels: Christian Siriano for Payless

Here's a close-up of the sleeve design (forgive the pins - I was still working on the facings when I took the picture!)

The only thing better than making this dress to fit myself was all the compliments I got on it! As I was walking to the subway (a quarter of a mile - in those heels!) I was asked to pose for a girl's trend class. Fifth Avenue better watch out - because here I come!

Hello!

So here it is...my first blog post! I'm going to be keeping this short because I don't have much to say, but there will be so much to discuss in the future!

I plan on using this space as both a way to update my family and friends on my design projects, but also as an online portfolio/sketchbook/journal - runway reviews, general musings, etc.

Thanks for reading!

Claire