Middle of Summer

I've been off for summer just about a month now but now the sleeping the day away phase has gone away I am inspired to actually go and do stuff!

My other blog for college work is almost up to date just two projects to go.

Also I have put my name forward for volunteering with the Renfrewshire Witch Hunt which is like a historical society for the area. I am still waiting to here back but I should hear back this week.

I am really looking forward to moving away. I now have almost everything I need. I still need to get a grater and a frying pan. You have to take your own kitchen supplies and bedding.  It's slowly sinking in all the things I will get to do when I'm away. Like, for example, cooking my own meals. Which is a good thing. It's really hard to try to adapt your diet when someone else does the cooking. I have been trying to make my diet healthier. Not that I'm going on a diet but in my house we usually end up end lots of processed foods which I want to change. I want to start making my own veggie filled casseroles and curries and soups etc.

In addition I have also started making up my own patterns to start making clothes. This I am really excited about. I have spent most of my free time just looking at bloggers who make their own clothes and working out how I would mke the pattern for that. And yes I do mean making the pattern not buying the pattern. In my course I learned how to make patterns and adapt them to different styles. This means that I can attempt at least to make at garment from a basic block.

I have all ready made most of my basic blocks: Loose Bodice, Trousers, Loose Dress, Skirt.

So I still have to make a Bodice and Dress with darts and a Sleeve Block. I will then make up Muslins of each to see how they fit and how I can adapt them if I wanted a different pattern.

I made the blocks on a roll of recycled brown paper I got from WHSmith. This is sturdy enough for my blocks at the moment while giving me the length I need to actually make them without sticking bit of paper together. However to make up production patterns I think I'll go with tracing paper as I can see the blocks underneath.

For my first pattern I think I may make a Mandarin style top with three quarter length sleeves and have the front decorative seam going down the side the way it would on a mandarin dress.

Busy Busy Busy

Glasgow Clyde College HND Fashion Textiles Class of 2014 is hosting a fashion show and I am organising the press and publicity for the show and if you want to come along check out the blog page for more details. http://glasgowclydetextiles14.blogspot.co.uk/

Okay now that the shameless plugging is over... This has been a busy few weeks. I finally managed to get my Graded Unit finished!!! Yay! And as above I have been helping to organise our years fashion show while designing and making my two dresses which are going into the show. My dresses are now almost finished and I'm very excited for the show as well as for the summer.

I can't wait for the summer. Amongst other things I have shopping to do! I got accepted with an unconditional offer to Queen Margaret's University for Costume Design which I am really excited about. I had gotten an offer from Edinburgh College of Art but QMU's course seems to be more about the practical skills and QMU is smaller which suits me as although I'm creative I am quite a quiet person. I will be moving there in probably August/September time which is really exciting. I can't wait to go.

It will be strange moving out of my Mum's house even if I will be going back for holidays but the student life there looks really good. The campus is just a stone's throw away from the accommodation and there is a bar, cafe and gym on site. The local supermarket is apparently just a few minutes walk away and to each flat there are six to a flat. You have your own bedroom and toilet though they are quite small. I think this may be a good thing as if the bedrooms are small it should, in theory, be easier to tidy.

Yeah Right!

Currently I am looking for a summer job involving costume to dip my toe in before I go. This week I will start emailing theatre to see if they need anyone even on a volunteer basis. And, Yes I have told my current employers this but since I'll be leaving come August/September time regardless, they don't mind.

This summer I have plans to start making my own clothes. That may not end up happening but its my wee dream for the summer. I was also thinking of going away somewhere. Maybe a weekend abroad or even just camping for the weekend.