One last idea

For my final digital print I wanted to make a statement bag with my print all over. I found this picture of a large bag on the website WGSN, and wanted to make something similar.

My first idea was to make a bottom separately that had a strip around it connecting to the fabric of the bag. I made all my measurements, created a pattern and tried it out in calico. It didn't work! I tried a few times but had trouble with the size, connecting the two handles, connecting the base to the top...

Basically I didn't have time to keep trying with a pattern that I couldn't get to work. So I decided to create a completely new pattern which would give me a similarly looking bag. This one worked! My digital fabric was blue so I chose the beige leather coat I had found and used that as a base as I thought the two colours would look good together.

The lining of the coat was a really nice silky gold which I thought would match the base and contrast with the outer. It also make the bag look a bit more luxurious. Finally I finished it with a pocket on the inside and a business label.

I really like this bag and I would like to make it out of other materials in different colours. I also think it would be easy to re-size to have a range of smaller versions.

A tote bag

I decided to make a tote bag as I thought it would be a good way of showing off my digital print and also I had made one before, so I had a good idea of the process. However, I made a prototype out of calico and included the lining this time, to make sure I knew what I was doing and that my pattern worked.

To make the bag a bit more special, I decided to add sides and a bottom, long handle and a back panel all made from black leather. I also added a black lining made from the same coat the leather came from.

To make my bags look more professional, I made some label with my company name on them. This was done by printing the name onto T-shirt transfer paper and then ironing onto a ribbon. I think this worked very well and keeps the cost of having labels printed down, while I am starting my business.

A little extra

At the start of this project, I bought some sheets of double-sided, washable, printable cotton. (from Crafty Computer Paper) I wasn't really sure what to do with, but tried it out by printing some of the tester patterns I had made using the pen tool in Photoshop. These looked quite good and I started to think about what I could make that would show off both sides of the print. I had some clear PVC left over from my plastic shell clutch and decided to mix the two and make some little bus pass holders.

These were really quick and not very expensive to make. I also like how you can mix prints and produce them at home.

Digitally printed fabric

This is the fabric which I designed as a pattern on photoshop. I made it using my own photographs and drawings of shells, which I arranged into a pattern that I could then repeat to make as long a length as I need. This is printed onto silk crepe and I plan to use it as a lining in my bags and purses. 

I am really happy with my fabric, it is totally unique and will give my products an individuality that people won't be able to find anywhere else! It might also mean that I can charge more for my products.

That's my idea!

During my research, I came across the spring/summer 2012 collections for Chanel and Versace. I don't know how they managed to find out about my idea, but these fashion houses have produced collections based on shells and underwater images!

 Versace have used a number of beautiful prints featuring shells, sea-life and mermaids! They have also made use of shell shape as embellishments and jewellery as I saw in my initial research. I really like these prints and I'd like to do something similar as I think scarves would look really good in a full print and also a bag lined with a colourful print would be fun.

I love these Chanel bags. they are so inventive and really show what can be achieved with some experimentation. My favourite is the seaweed bag, I like the muted colours and the textures. Although I like these ideas, if I were to make something similar, I would want it to be a bit more practical that people would buy because they can see themselves using it as an everyday item.

Introduction - The First Post!

Hi everyone this is the first post on my new blog all about my last term at college! I only have a few months left to make and finish my products for the end of year show, but luckily I have already done a lot of the hard work. With my first few blogs I will show you all the preparation work I did last term, finding inspiration, sketching initial ideas and making my prototypes.
Just to get you up to date, I am using shells and beach combing as an inspiration to create a range of prints and surface designs on fabric. I am then hoping to create a range of bags and purses that are totally unique  to me and each other as they will all feature found objects. I hope you like my products and enjoy following my creative journey!