Starting to make my final products

The first product I decided to make was the box bag with driftwood handles. From my prototype, I had pretty much found out what order to sew up the outside pieces in and didn't think it would take me that long. I wanted to use the silk that I had digitally printed onto to line the bag, and a brown leather coat to make the outer. However, I didn't consider the fact that my prototype didn't have a lining! It is really tricky trying to plan out a 3D model in your head of a bag and deciding how and where to sew a lining so that it can be turned right way out to hide the seams. I needed help with this and asked my tutor and the sewing technician who guided me through the process. After I had made another prototype (with a lining this time!) I was ready o tackle my final product. It took a while but I got it in the end. I also decided to add a pocket to the lining piece as all good bags have pockets!

Product ideas - shape trends

As well as having a shell/beachcombing theme, I also have to look at current themes to see what is in fashion. I looked at a website called WGSN using the college's subscription to find shape trends for bags, scarves and purses. For bag trends, I liked the small box style bags and a slouchy bag with long circular handles which would look good with an all over print.

 Whilst looking at scarf trends I found out about sweater scarves, these are meant to look like you have tied a jumper around your shoulders. Thinking about my theme, I am reminded of fishermen and their gansey jumpers. If I could find some second-hand aran jumpers I could easily manipulate the shape by sewing and picking up and re-knitting stitches.

Another new trend is apparently, the lariat. I think of this as more of a necklace, but it could be easy to incorporate elements of my theme. For example, the lariat itself could be made out of thick rope, the type used on boats, and the embellishments could be shells and pieces of driftwood. Here I have also researched fisherman's knots which I think would add a decorative element as well as keeping the embellishments in place.

First ideas - mind map

This is my mind map! You can see that I want to concentrate on bags, scarves and purses for women. I have then gone to think of all the different ideas to do with these products. I have also looked at what materials I could use including second-hand items and beach finds. Lastly I have looked at my theme and different ways of incorporating it into my products. From here I will start to do some visual research on the topics I have listed in the mind map.

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!