Friday, January 08, 2010

I am always inspired by the work of others. The fact that someone connects to what impassions them, and I love the way someone else sees what we are both looking at differently than I do.

I came across this blog a couple of months ago. http://wkdesigner.wordpress.com/ I LOVED his approach, his perspective. He gives tools and teaches how to use them with a kind of clarity that this world needs. You can still view the entries and you should. Just reading them opens the door to possibilities you thought were not yours.

Unfortunately he closed this blog. He felt that he had shared all he could on this particular subject. I was very sad but I completely understood. These were his parting words.........

"You do not have to be an expert to be your own designer. With simple pattern modifications and some common sense ( sometimes a bit of trial and error too), you can create your own design details. When combined with the ideal fabrications you can realize your own creative visions.

You’ve probably discovered many sources of inspiration from the Weekend Designer. Here are some design tips and advice to help you turn that inspiration into creativity.

* Be Disciplined – Pattern-making can be hard work and takes concentration. A defined work-space and a preplanned time frame are often helpful. Try to plan creative time every day, or whatever time is available to your lifestyle. Planning a time frame in a space where you can concentrate will help slow down your ideas so you can actually be productive with them. If you’re in a hurry or if the ideas come too fast, it’s difficult to convert them into a design.

* Be Prepared – Pattern-making is a skill. However to make that skill work to its best advantage, you need the proper tools and supplies. Take precise and accurate measurements. It does not matter whether amounts are in imperial or metric but be consistent with whichever you choose. The applied math is basic but if you cannot convert fractions then use a calculator as an aid. Get a long straight ruler (yardstick) to draw lines, a set square to make 90° and 45° angles, a French curve to draw curved lines and a tracing wheel. You are only as good as your tools you use. Get a good sewing reference book. The more you know about sewing construction, the more you can expand on your pattern-making.

* Set Goals – Channel your creativity by setting goals. Let your goals grow as you grow in your knowledge of pattern drafting. Perhaps your goal is to resolve a particular design challenge or to redesign a fashion detail and integrate it into your next design. Know that pattern drafting will eventually free you of “cookie-cutter” fashion and develop a personal made-to-measure style. One technique that I always use is to begin each project with a list of “what do I see”. This will set up your thinking as to how to proceed with your pattern-making.

* Value Mistakes – Believe it or not, mistakes can be beneficial. They cause us to search for a different and often better way. They facilitate experimentation with new materials, techniques, or styles. Mistakes or challenges are an important part of the design process because they provide unique opportunities for creativity. Always make a toile or muslin fitting to test your pattern before cutting into your fashion fabric. Don’t be disappointed if it does not ‘turn out ‘ on the first attempt as planned; that is what toiles are for. These mock-ups allow you to modify the end result, correct the pattern, and work out the sewing/assembly process.

* Temporarily Let Go – When you have a creative block or cannot find a resolution to a design problem, there comes a time when it may be more productive to stop working on the pattern drafting. Let it go; do something else. While you have consciously stopped thinking about the problem, your mind is still working on it. Sometime we get too close to see the answer; however when we step back there is room for clarity.

* Enjoy the Process – don’t forget the reason why you’re doing this. Is this your hobby, your career, your creative release, your personal time for indulgence? Even if your concentration is on the end product, don’t forget to have fun with the process of pattern drafting.

Lastly, I would like to thank all the readers of Weekend Designer for their interest, comments, compliments, and encouragement. Many of you have set up links to this blog and made referrals to it in your sewing groups. Thank you for your support. Imagine my surprise and delight when I made the Top 100 Blogs on WordPress; it was all your doing.

Thank you again.

Wishing you many a creative weekend.

Don"

Don is doing a new blog, here is the link. Bag’n-telle DON'T miss him!!!

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