I went to TAFE today which really was a boring day. Had marker lesson in the morning (for the non-fashion savvy, markers are when you lay out all your pattern pieces so you can cut them up with the aim of the optimal use of fabric) of which I finished in like 1h 30 minutes flat and then proceeded to waste the next hour waiting for everyone else to finish.

Then design lesson. Oh god that afternoon lesson seems to go on forever. I drew (albeit very badly) my production sketches (sketches which show every single design detail required to construct the garment) and my fashion illustrations (drawings which are models of how the entire outfit would look like on a person). Of course because of changes to how I’ve done things, I now need to design a new shirt into my collection, and something that goes with the rest of it. GAH!!!!!! Why do I do these things to myself?

Then there was this intense discussion with Jean because doing production sketches, I actually have to know what method I’m using to construct the design features that I have. I’m going to do curved jetted pockets (for those who don’t know what jetted pockets are, they are pockets that have been slashed into the material, so the pockets aren’t created in seamlines) with piping. Apparently this is going to be VERY challenging. But then again, if I don’t challenge myself, I wouldn’t be learning anything! I’m starting to not hate my range a bit more. I’ve changed the sleeves on the bolero from long set in sleeve to a short cap sleeve (which makes it look more summer rather than winter) and I’m going to shorten the knit top so it doesn’t look like crap.

But I’ve been buying fabric like crazy. I have way too much of the stuff now. I went to a sale in Smithfield this afternoon and just bought so much cheap fabric. I picked up this gorgeous heavyweight satin (almost duchess satin in feel and weight) which is black flowers on a cream background. I feel like making a dress out of it for Truong’s wedding which is way too soon for my liking. But the thing is – I buy fabric that isn’t pink! I can appreciate many fabrics for their texture and colour and I buy them, but it’s not pink or grey so it’s unlikely that I will actually wear it.

Thinking about the Diploma of Costume I want to apply for, I have to be ambitious and work really hard to get in. I hate doing NUTS shows though, they are all about the sourcing and borrowing things from people, and not really making something wonderful. So I’ve decided that for the next 2 months, I have to make something every week, to prove my skills in construction, and possibly even patternmake a few garments to put into my portfolio.

Heh, I’m getting rather ambitious these days.

Last night I came home to a lovely surprise, in the mail I found an invite to Amanda’s 21st Birthday – with the theme 1986!

It says “Dress your best in a song, movie or event from this year”.

Da dum da dum! Lo and behold, after looking up 1986 movies, Pretty In Pink is one of them.

As a result, my dressing up as Molly Ringwald is not a cardinal sin. I’ve even got the perfect dress, I bought it at Smith’s Family the other day coincidently just because it was so shockingly 80s.

All I need now is a red wig

Now playing: Starship – Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now

In a message Kath sent me:

And now that show is over, you can continue your life’s work of hating men and designing clothes.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA

I can’t really say that I’ve gotten to know people very well while doing the show, there was just way too many people in cast to chat with and I felt very awkward attending the after parties while everyone (who I don’t really know) gets increasingly more drunk. But I’ve made such good friends with the producers, and I hope that we’ll continue that friendship way beyond show.

I guess that’s what happens when you work in such an isolated little team like costumes. There aren’t very many people that you work with, and it’s your team members that you get to know. But I loved the costumes I have made. It’s been a lot of hard work and I have enjoyed it (mostly).

But now there is the clean up. I need to return costumes I’ve borrowed, launder costumes we are keeping etc.

In other news, I completely hate my little range that I’ve designed for TAFE. It’s so… boring. I mean, it’s exactly what I would wear, it’s very conservative, business suity and pink. It’s just that I feel like I’ve missed the whole point of originality and creativity. I know that I’m not a designer at heart. I love the manufacturing processes, the sewing, the patternmaking and the grading, but I could never come up with the original things that Steph has.

Oh well. We’ll see how it goes. I’ve designed it so the construction of these garments are slightly complicated with piping and facings everywhere, so I hope turns out well. But I feel uninspired by it all. This could be a by-product of me thinking too hard.

But I’m thinking of applying to do Diploma of Costume next year at Ultimo. We’ll see how it all goes.

As another general plug, Law Revue is a totally awesome show and you MUST see it. It’s the best Law Revue I’ve seen, and I’ve seen every one since 2002. (And no, it’s not me being a total shameless self promoting whore). Despite numerous problems I’ve had with costuming, where everything that could go wrong did, the cast were absolutely amazing and were a total pleasure to work with. Despite me being a total bitch.

I also worked with an incredible woman Emily Hoh, which is Amanda’s mum who just was a total help and so incredibly lovely.

So yesterday I was on a complete high. Dancing around to Mr Brightside (btw, the costumes in that music video are awesome, I’m watching it on Youtube at the moment) which is the melody of the closing dance and I took my bows.

But right now I’m on quite a low.

Hating the whole idea of having to go fishing and trying to make things happen without being overt and obvious.
Not really getting along with relative strangers and not sure if I’m doing it the right way.
Suffering pangs of jealousy – which are okay, they are only small pangs. Means I’m slightly getting over stuff.
Feel like there’s no work to be done and it feels a bit disconcerting.

I dunno, maybe things would be easier if I just got drunk. I wouldn’t feel so self concious or be so aware of time going past.

I’ve come to a certain realisation. After being at a sewing machine more a less constantly for a week, I’ve come to the conclusion that I like sewing.

Yes, shock horror omg. Normally I get so much rage and stuff, but this year, I’m just in the zone, making stuff. It really is that practice makes perfect. I’m by no means perfect, but I’m getting a helluva lot better.

Yesterday I was at TAFE sewing up a toile for my patternmaking class and I really love industrial sewing machines where I can just go go go. Domestics have their advantages such as their portability and ease of use, but I love the power of the industrials (and their automatic thread clipping).

I’m made these gorgeous dresses for Law Revue which are not going to be usedbut I’m so proud of the work that I’ve been doing. The dresses aren’t at TAFE standard being dodge jobs for costumes, but from a distance they look so good on the girls. It makes me really sad that they aren’t going to use them, and more work has been lapped on me because now I have to make another 8 dresses for the ones that aren’t going to be used. Admittedly I’m tired, stressed out about it and as per usual, I hate directors.

But getting the production work done has been immensely satisfying.

I’d also like to plug my show! It’s on next week. Visit www.lawrevue.unsw.edu.au for more details. I have already conned Sean, Nicholas and Viet Anh in going. It’s great