Sample Before Sewing

Sometimes, if you are working with a fabric that you are unfamiliar with, or if you are trying a new technique, it helps to create a sample before working on the actual garment.

When I was working on my collection for school, I wanted some of my fabrics to have a quilted look, so I tested out a couple of different quilting techniques on small 7" x 7" scrap pieces.

For one look, I simply marked out the lines I wanted with chalk, and then went over all of the lines with a long machine stitch.  I did the same thing for another piece and then hand stitched chains on top of the fabric, using my machine stitches as a guideline.

Whenever I have sampled sewing techniques before applying those techniques directly to my project, I have always been really happy with the final result.  Sampling is a good way to work out any issues that might arise.  Sampling is good for practicing and it may save you a lot of time and effort in the long run.

Sample #1

Sample #2

Back of Sample

Karl Lagerfish

Sewing can be lonely.  That's why I have a new friend to keep me company in my sewing room.  His name is Karl Lagerfish.

I first had the idea of getting a fish to keep me company when I was in university.  I was often up late, sitting alone at my desk, writing essays.  Just like sewing and fashion design, reading and writing are solitary activities.  Once, after staying up all night by myself in order to complete an essay for my first year British Literature course, I had the brilliant idea of getting my first fish.  I named him Wordsworth, and he was a beta, just like Karl Lagerfish.  Wordsworth saw me through many assignments, including essays on Shelley, Keats and Shakespeare.

Years later, when I went to school for fashion design, I had many late nights sewing and pattern drafting.  Long after my family had gone to sleep, I would be up late working on some garment or other.  Wordsworth had long since passed away, so I decided I was ready for a new fish.  I have an affinity for Japanese fighting fish, so my college fish was a little red beta.  I named him Valentino because he reminded me of Valentino's RED collection. 

It's been a few years since I've had a fish, but I am a Pisces, so I am drawn to all things aquatic. I'm really excited to get a lot of sewing and pattern making done with Karl Lagerfish beside me.  He's like my little fishy mascot.

5 Figures a Day

When I first started in fashion design at college, our design professor required that we sketch 5 figures per day in our sketch books.  Practicing every day is the best way to improve your drawing skills.  Even if you can't manage 5 figures, I would recommend sketching 2, or even 1 if that is all you have time for.  I wish I had of kept up this habit over the years!

Here are some random selections from my school sketch books.  Some of them are pretty rough, and others have been polished and used for various projects.