Newcastle vintage fashion fair

Iwhat can I say apart from AMAZING. I know it may not be everyones cup of tea but I loved it. I've never been to a vintage fashion fair before, but will definitely be on the lookout for future events. For me, this was pure inspiration and indulgence in being able to buy items that otherwise I would have to search the net. I was able to source items I know I will use for my FMP as well as for future projects. The quality of the stalls and sellers had clearly been sourced for this specific event. Cant wait to see what the future holds on the vintage fair front.For more information on future events you should visit http://www.threadandthrift.blogspot.com/
  

possible final design?

I finally got around to getting a mannequin at college, whcih I immediately decorated withsome of my embroidered and print samples. I placed three different samples randomly around the neck and shoulder mainly to prevent them getting dirty or lost. However, after steping back from the mannequin I thought they looked pretty good as a whole piece, which was confirmed by another student who entered the room and saw my creation. Thanks Ingrid you made my day.

This was further confirmed by both my tutors Lianne and Claire who suggested keeping the samples on the mannequin but adding more to them, possibly with the intention of this becoming a long evening dress and a final design. Lets just say my head was full to its capacity of ideas.

I had always visioned a long evening dress  as part of my collection but thought the task too daugnting and since I'm not a  tailoress I thought this would be impossible. But as one who loves a challenge I am going to give it a go. My major task is  figuring out how I will continue to embroider the samples currently on the mannequin and how new samples will be applied and if I willl be able to continue to create an atmospheric mood in the final design.

Watch this space to see how this design develops or does'nt. If you have any comments I would love to hear them.   

break through dye week

If you have read my previous blog you will know I have sepnt the last few weeks trying to dye a variety of silk fabric black.  Unfortunately, all I seemed to get was a teal blue, which was beautiful and I think I will use but for now I really needed a black.
As you can see from my title, I had a breakthrough, finally I got a black, not from adding or omitting certain dyes but simply by dying my fabric in a warm dye bath rather than a cold one. Im pretty ashamed to admit to this naive flaw, but in order to help anyone out there who has/ does shy away from using warm dye baths, I whole heartedly recommend them for acid dyes. The colours are more vibrant and absorb the dye quicker than cold dye baths .  Let me know your experiences in the dye lab.