Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Project Runway Application Question(s) #2:

Have you ever worked or do you currently work for a designer or manufacturer? If yes, please list any and all positions you have held working for a designer or manufacturer to date (include your responsibilities and if it was a staff or intern position):
Nope


Please describe your job history outside the fields of fashion and design:
I have been in the service industry (as a waitress and bar tender) part time since I was 16. 
 I was also a high school English teacher and Drama director.  I was an actress in a local theater company for one show (Miss Saigon) that ran for 8 weeks.  Then I was a Realtor, followed by a Leasing Agent for a Property Management company.  Then I had a baby and was a stay at home mom.  I went back to waitressing part time when the baby was four months old and did that until I had my second baby.  I stayed home for 11 months with both kids and then went back to part time bar tending and waitressing which is what I do now.


Have you attended a fashion design school or a fashion program? If yes, what was the school and program you attended? Did you graduate?  If you graduated, what was the type of degree earned? If not, why did you leave the program?
Nope

If you answered "No" to the above question, what is your fashion/design background?
As a hobby, I taught myself how to sew together pillows as gifts for friends.  When I was a drama director, I had to piece some costumes together.  But the driving force of my designing of fashion was the birth of my daughter.  I found a woman in town who gave private lessons and she taught me over the course of one year (about once or twice a month) how to sew from commercial patterns.  I started experimenting after that  and was refashioning adult clothes into infant clothes (which I actually got to teach others to do at my sewing mentor's studio).  When I was pregnant with my son, I met a girl who was a fashion design student at The University of Cincinnati's Design, Art, and Architecture Program.  She was waitressing with me and  was searching for an internship position.  She couldn't afford to move to a big city yet, but wasn't getting any local offers either.  About that time, I had come up with a brand name and was making toddler dresses to sell.  I offered to have her come work with me and my start up company.  One month before my son was born, my intern came to work with me five days a week, 20 hours a week, for three months.  I couldn't afford to pay her, but provided her with lunch every day and a great experience to add to her portfolio.  She still worked at the restaurant in the evenings, so she could get by with not being paid by me.  She designed a website for me (currently not being used, however) and helped me get my Etsy shop up and running.  She also helped me build my inventory.  What I got from the experience was another sewing mentor.  She helped me to polish up my sewing, especially with linings and hand stitches.  She also taught me the basics of pattern drafting.


Do you know how to:
   - Cut?
   - Sew?
   -Sketch?
   - Make your own patterns?

Yes to all of the above.

Please describe your design philosophy/point of view:

I had the opportunity to make a surprise visit to see my grandfather who was ill.  My grandmother had him get up out of bed and get dressed.  He wondered what the big deal was, only to understand by my arrival that he was getting a visitor.  He said to me as he realized this, "It does feel good to be dressed nice."  


My grandfather passed away months later, but that simple thought stuck with me.  Those days when I would stay at home with my kids, I would find inspiration from him to get out of my pajamas.  And those rare occasions that got me out of the house, requiring to dress up, did make me feel good.


So, I think fashion is supposed to transform our emotions.  It makes us feel confident, or strong, or sexy, or mysterious, or fun, or dangerous, or important, etc.


I  want the clothes I design to evoke feelings of confidence in beauty.  


I think that's all I can say on the subject for now.  I want to revisit this later as I gain more experience.  Then I can articulate better my design style and philosophy.








Sunday, August 28, 2011

New Balance

This challenge was hard for me because I don't wear sneakers or denim.  But I thought that if I did, I'd want them to be comfortable and stylish.  I designed a dark blue denim jean/legging and a beige suede bodice with a jersey cardigan with features two bold and bright colors.  It would be very loose and flowy which is not truly demonstrated in my sketch.  But I think it would be pretty awesome.  This week's challenge had them creating three designs in teams of three with $300.  So I created one look under $100.









Monday, August 22, 2011

Nina Challenge

I finally had time to sketch my ideas this morning after working all weekend.  Work is going to be a definite hindrance to this project, but it is suppling finances.  In fact, my French curve ruler set arrived on Saturday.  Hooray!

I also started to piece my black skirt together.

But, back to the show.  This week's challenge was to create a look for Nina.  The budget was $200.  I do have to say that I did like Kimberley's winning design.  However, there were a lot of designs that weren't so great.

So, I have brought two designs to the table as the designers were given a chance to sit down with Nina and get her thoughts.  My first design idea is separates.  The top would have this fabulous tweed between an almost white fake leather.  The pants would be a satin charcoal/platinum fabric.


This is a close up of the tweed fabrics:

And the satin pants:

My second design idea would be to make a simple mod long sleeved white dress, but paint a cool design on it with acrylic fabric paint:

Well, I have to work Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday this week and I will be beginning to create four flower girl dresses for a bride in New York, so I will be plenty busy.  But I still hope to get the skirt done this week and I want to get some more application questions done, too.  Until then!




Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Keeping on Track

So, I've begun my new job waiting tables, which will only be three nights a week.  I have been through training and my brain hurts from trying to keep all the wines straight and from trying to get all the Italian words right.  We had a soft opening last night, but I left early as it wasn't too busy, which pleased my in-laws (babysitters).   Apparently Lucy was being difficult in not wanting to wear pants and then decided to try out her new washable markers on her little brother's face.  I have a picture, but as it shows her half naked, I don't think I will post it.  But it does show her skill in face painting.

I finally finished the red jersey shirt.  I'm pretty happy with it - jersey is a tricky fabric and I think the next time I work with it, I will be even better as I'm learning new tricks to it.


The blue. grey, black, and white shirt is a polyester blend chiffon, which was also tricky.  But I am getting good at it, especially with the roller hem foot.  This is a shirt that I made previous to beginning this blog.


Today I ordered a set of 8 French Curve rulers from Amazon.  These will allow me to draft my own patterns better.  

I'm having trouble getting motivated today.  There are laundry baskets with clean clothes to fold, but as Finn is napping now, I hate to use up my "free" time doing chores.  

I know.  I will measure Lucy's windows and plan her curtains - right after a cup of coffee!






Saturday, August 13, 2011

Go Big or Go Home

The their design challenge of Project Runway, Season 9 put the designers in teams of two and asked them to take $300 and create a design for stilt walkers.  The idea was to play around with proportion.  Now my initial thought was to get all crazy and SyFy with this challenge, but as I sketched, the model wasn't looking fantastical at all, but rather she was looking freakish.  Then I imagined that I was creating an ensemble for Lady Gaga, but then again, it wasn't "easy on the eye."  I thought that I could create, as Tyra Banks says, an "ugly pretty," but all I was getting was ugly.  I did come up with an idea that was very structural and abstract, but I scratched going in that direction what with only being given one day to make the dress.

So, my idea stayed with "pretty pretty" as I thought of three things I love in a dress: chiffon, lace, and a deep, rich color.  I went with this beautiful dark navy/black sheer chiffon (with a beige cotton underneath to give it an almost nude effect). The top has long sleeved chiffon with a plunging neckline, draped chiffon front.  The waist is cinched with a black Alecon lace trim.  The skirt of the dress would be the long, billowy chiffon.  I want the end result to be feminine, sexy, and glamorous.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

First Project completed.

This is my white super soft jersey pants - they are like sweat pants, but with more class.  The green and white seersucker top I made from a vintage 80's pattern which I changed the neck line a bit, but it is super comfy, yet fashionable too.  I wore this outfit to a wine tasting/training tonight, my second day at the new job, and a girl that I just met, asked me to make her a set.  I think that a yellow stripe top would suit her nicely.  And these pants are going to be her new favorite, I'm sure.  They are stylish enough to wear out yet comfortable enough to sleep in.  Tomorrow I will finish the red cotton poly blend jersey tank.




Project Runway Application Question(s) #1:

Are you a fashion designer? Yes  No (circle one)
Umm, Yes. I mean, YES! Yes, I am.  After all, I sketch designs for dresses, then I figure out how to make them.


If yes, how many years have you been a fashion designer?
One year. (approximately) I've been sewing for three years, but doing my own designs for almost a year.


Do you design for your own label full time?  If you are designing for your own label, how long have you been in business?
Yes - Mousebee Couture.  I opened an Etsy store in March of 2010.


Do you design for: Men Woman Both (circle one)
Neither - right now I design for girls ages 0-12, but I would like to design for women.  And I promised Ben that I would make him something, too.  He specifically asked for shorts, which is pretty boring, but whatever.  And I have done a couple of boy's things - which I need to do more of on account of me knowing lots of little boys, including my own.  Ok, so this was a pretty long answer to a question that just required me to make a circle.


If both, which gender do you prefer to design for? If you design for only one gender, why?  What are the specific challenges or rewards of designing for each gender?
I would prefer to design for women because it is more fun and less limiting.  I do not think that my tailoring skills are up to making menswear right now, but creating clothes for men is definitely a future goal of mine.  
Being a woman, there is the immediate reward of being able to wear the clothes I design.  The challenge of women's clothes is learning all the techniques for of the fabrics and designs, but more importantly, coming up with something that is new.  I love vintage looks, but combining vintage with modern has been done.  And you don't want to design something so crazy just for the sake of being "new" that it completely unwearable.  Also, I like clothes that are comfortable.  It will be a challenge to not sacrifice style for comfort.  (Honestly, I think in the far future, people will be wearing a sort of sari/toga garment because comfort will reign in the intellectually superior futuristic society.  Although I hope there will still be a fragment of intellectually superior Fashionistas who will be rocking stylish sari/togas.)


What is/are your areas of expertise? Check all that apply:
___Women's ready to wear
___Women's evening wear
___Women's avant-garde
___Menswear
___Accessories
___Other (please specify below: swimwear, lingerie, activewear, etc.)
Other: Girl's wear, ages 0-12  BUT - ask me again later as I intend to branch out.


Please list any place your clothes are available for sale (including internet):
www.etsy.com/shop/mousebeecouture


What were your gross sales for your biggest year?
$1229.35


Do you make a living as a designer or is this a hobby?  If you do not currently make your living as a designer, how do you currently make your living?
Not yet.  This is a hobby for now as I am a stay at home mom/part time waitress.


Well, number one was a pretty long "question," but it does give you some insight to the urgency of my need to get learning and sewing and creating.  I have a long way to go, but I'm excited.  This is going to be a fun "makeover" of myself.  I'm not going to feel sorry for myself that I didn't focus my degree on design when I was younger; I don't want to think that it is too late for me.  This is something that I love and I am not afraid to work hard and challenge myself.  And this will keep my creative self alive as the monotony of dishes, laundry, diaper changing, etc. and the potential for the demoralizing after effects of waiting tables may try to get me down. 


Que: Baby waking from nap.  Great time to wrap this up for today.  I have finished my pants and will try to finish the top today.  Stay tuned!


Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Making a List...

Currently I have been experiencing a creative explosion, but it has been hard to focus on one project at a time, seeing it through to completion.  I am working on making some separates for me (a pair of white jersey cotton pants, a jersey cotton blend red tank top, a mid length black poly blend straight skirt with lining), a baby blanket for my husband's cousin's baby girl, and curtains for Lucy's room, which Ben painted for her over the weekend.  The separates I am making for myself come from commercial patterns, but I do want to make my own soon, which I will do once I procure all the necessary tools.  I have made my own girl's dress patterns, but they are less detailed.  According to the beginning chapter of my book, there are some rulers that I'll need.

Meanwhile, I started my new job yesterday as my current one does not pay well.  In fact, all I get now is room and board.  And as I have loved being a full time stay at home mom, it will be nice to get out (and the money will be nice, too).  I will be serving tables part time at a new restaurant opening here in town which stars an amazingly talented young chef who's expertise is in authentic Italian cuisine.  The restaurant hasn't opened yet, and this week we are just training.  But once I've made some money here, I will get my needed tools to start my pattern making lessons.

But, back to my current projects, I will finish the pants, then the top, then the skirt, then the curtains, and lastly, the blanket (after all, the baby isn't due until October).  So, there, I've made my checklist and I am committed to it.  I will post my pictures of the done projects for you to see, too.

For fun, here are some examples of some of my flower girl designs creations:







Saturday, August 6, 2011

Challenge #2 - The Pet Store

Episode Number 2 brought us the unconventional challenge, this season being that the designers were given $300 to spend in a pet store to buy materials for a garment.  Really? Oh yes.  So, I thought of three materials, which I was surprised were not not used by the other designers: furry mice, fish nets, garbage bags (you know, the little ones that you are supposed to take with you when you walk your dog in case he or she drops a number 2).Below is my design.  And before I wrap up this entry, I think it important to note that I bought a Learn How To Knit booklet which I will start to look at tomorrow.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Come As You Are

The first episode of Project Runway Season 9 gave the compete=ing designers the challenge to create something form using the pajamas they were wearing and the white sheets on their beds.  They could use dyes to change colors and trimmings.  The designs were all over the place and I did like the winning design.  The bottom designs were ones the were poorly constructed - jersey is unforgiving.  I am especially intrigued by one designer who has just learned how to sew and has only been sewing for four months.  She is brave and it will be interesting to see how far she goes. Anyway, here is my idea:


The focus would be on the skirt.  It would be whimsical, structured, artistic, and fun to wear.  I may make this one.

Can You Feel A Brand New Day

My 15 month old son slept through the night for the second night in a row last night.  The previous night was the first time that he had slept through the night since his birth.  Only if you have had children will you understand the full implication of what this all entails.  But let's not dwell on how it got to be this way, let's just acknowledge that after two full nights of sleep, I feel good.

And I am ready to get started.  This blog will be threefold.

1. I will follow the design challenges of Project Runway Season 9.
2. I will answer questions on the application.
3. I will read and master the book from the Basics The Ava Series on Fashion Design Construction by Anette Fischer.

 I will follow the design challenges of Project Runway Season 9.  I will take the parameters given, and design my own garment by sketching it out.  I will not, at this point, make the garment due to time and money restraints.  The items I do sew together are done so at intervals, as my life is full of interruptions.   Designers on the show are given the entire day to construct the works, which to many, this may seem impossible. But to me the idea of a day completely dedicated to sewing together something sounds like heaven.  I do promise to make some designs, however, as I progress.  Maybe you can help me decide which one(s) deserve to be created.

The only application for Project Runway that I could find online was from Season 6 as the casting for the show is not currently happening.  But I wanted to have an idea of what to expect.   There are some very thoughtful and some very silly questions on this application and I don't know if the same application is used every season, but it will good practice.   I have never tried to be on any show, let alone one that your performance and talent directly effects your being cast.  I have been paying attention to the previous seasons's designers and their backgrounds, noticing that there is a diverse group of ages, design backgrounds, and experience.  I am 33, which is older than most contestants, but not all.  I have had little formal training and am mostly self taught.  But I am exploding with ideas and have often watched the show judging for myself the final designs finding myself thinking, "That is all that they could come up with?"

However, that being said, I need more training in construction.  My "expertise" is in little girls' dresses, which  from a design point of view, is very different than creating clothes for grown ups.  Little girls do not have a waist line, but a round belly, and they have to chest, meaning no darts needed in the bodice.  Just recently I have had orders for dresses for older girls, which introduced me to creating darts.  But I will need to learn and practice more areas of construction and Ms. Anette Fischer's book will be my guide.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Find your passion

To the point, the object of this blog is to tell the story of my journey toward applying to be a contestant on Project Runway. I will, over the course of this blog, learn how to design and create all sorts of garments, from outer wear to mens' wear to swim wear. I will use the internet and books to build on my current knowledge of sewing and design. I will do all this all while raising two children, ages 3 and 1, working part time as a waitress, and keeping house.

Who am I and how I got to this point will be reveilled over time as my adventure unfolds. But know, for now, that I came late to the game of fashion design, majoring instead in something that I choose to pursue at the age of 17, only to discover after three years of using my degree, that I hated my job. Years and professions later, I sought out someone to teach me how to sew a dress for my infant daughter. One year after that I was teaching a sewing class on how to make dresses and I was creating a label and online store on Etsy.com selling children's wear.

I feel, now, that I missed my calling, but I feel like it's not too late. I also am a Reality TV junkie and always imagined myself in the contestants' place. So, I sew - for now as a creative outlet to keep a sense of self between potty training and baby weaning. But how fun it would be to challenge myself to apply for my favorite show about my favorite thing. I know that I need some more training, so I now will set forth to prepare myself, with projects and with following challenges. Come along. Watch. Or you can join me.