Vision Board

Two of my children looking through my 2007 Vision Book

A few years ago we decided to upsize our home. It necessary several reasons-- mainly because our family expanded and for safety reasons. It was a terrible time to sell and we were faced with the added stress of trying to both buy and sale AT the same time. Even though I was eager to sale, the thought of selling and then having to move into an apartment/asking to stay with relatives stressed me even more. So we were very proactive in our search for our ideal home, and things just all worked out for the best.

So I decided to make a vision board. It wasn't an actual board, but more of a book of ideas of what I wanted to secure. I made a trip late one night to Wal-mart to buy an album that held 8x10 pictures. I made of list of things such as rooms, window sizes, and cut out pictures of furniture that I wanted to have for the house. I even surfed the internet of home plans that I printed and then searched for homes that resembled my envisioned ideal home. Building one from the ground up wasn't an option for financial and time reasons. Today I pulled the vision book from the bookshelf and looked at the drawing of the home I envisioned and some of the furniture pictures I printed. It's amazing how close it came to the actual ones purchased.

My intent today is to head to Office Depot and purchase a pretty colored quality binder. It's time to start another vision book complete with information, pictures, business plan, ideas, goals, etc. If it's the Lord's will I pray for them to materialize.

Worry

Here in the last couple of days I've been fortunate to talk to people with experience in the fashion industry and gained some very insightful information. There was one who found herself practically an overnight success story, one who has a successful clothing line carried in boutiques, another has an online specialty clothing business, and a few others. I've been wanting to try my hand in it for quite some time but could never find the time to research and learn my craft. Some of them shared the downside of the business and it did evoke a bit of fear within myself.

I have to confess the biggest fear is the financial strain that could occur if things don't pan out. I was told yesterday by one designer that perserverance was the key, and the ones who didn't consider their venture a success so to speak didn't have the perserverance. It really takes alot of hard work and for whatever reason their venture was placed on the backburner and there was a financial loss.

Love referencing this scripture when I'm feeling a bit anxious b/c it is a reminder that things will be okay...working on myself because I do have the tendency to overthink things.

Philippians 4:6-8

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.

Juggling Act

I'm coming to terms that I'll be reporting back to work here very soon. I was a bit sad about getting back on that day to day grind, but I'm grateful for having this time off. I'm upbeat and even laughed to myself this morning thinking about the antics of some of those high school students. My biggest obstacle will be balancing my time. I was feeling overwhelemed wondering how I would juggle my life, so I had to write them all out. For some reason it calms me to write and see my challenges written out. Maybe I feel I can strategize by doing so.

I still wonder how will I fit all these things I want to accomplish in a day, week, month, year? I keep adding more and more into the pile! Only through prayer and knowing God is my foundation. Drafting that Kimono is starting to rear that challenging head so I laid it down and made a vow to pick it up soon along with the advanced Vogue pattern. I found this awesome book about the fashion design business while perusing my local library, and it's made me look at my long term goals more in depth. We'll see how things pan out. In the meantime, I'll need prayer to help me juggle:

• family/husband-wife time


• the fashion design business research and all that entails


• learning construction techniques


• children's extracurricular activities


• homework


• housework


• me and my daughter's natural hair


• managing the finances


• exercise


• running errands


• work


• ...and the list goes on and on :-)

Official Project #2- Short Sleeve Kimono Wrap Design

I was planning on sketching a new design for my Official Project #2, but I found this November 30, 2007 sketch that I think I'll do instead. I purchased this printed chiffon fabric last week that I think I'll use. I can't decide whether or not I'll construct the sketch in the middle or the one on the far right. I'll make a copy of the design and will render it using the fabric colors. This will be an interesting challenge because I've never ever worked with using prints and such a thin fabric as well.

Average/Advanced Patterns

Since pattern making and construction courses aren't an option at this time (lack of $$$), and with keeping in line with the self-taught method, I think my next plan of action will be to purchase Average and Advanced-Level patterns to learn enhanced sewing techniques. According to Vogue Patterns, the two are defined as -

• AVERAGE-These patterns are perfect if you have more time to sew, and more experience sewing. Look for challenging designer techniques, tailoring, unique construction details. Expect more fitting and inner construction. Find more variety in fabrics from the stretchiest knits to synthetic leathers and suedes.



• ADVANCED-The finest patterns featuring the best of European and American Couture. Perfect for those who like the sewing challenge of professional tailoring and fine couture techniques. Expect intricate fashion shaping, hidden construction details, couture inner construction, fine touches of hand sewing and bias draping

So I searched onlne and came up with Issey Miyake Vogue pattern #V0152. I'm not crazy about the pants at all, but it does look very advanced with techniques that should be beneficial to learn. The same goes for the top. Lucky me it's on sale for $3.99. I have no clue when I'll be able to start on it say it arrives here in the next couple of weeks or if I can purchase it onsale at Hancocks. We'll see how it goes to see if I'll be able to devote a couple of hours each night once I report to work. Realistically, I'm having a hard time seeing that happen but we'll see. I'll set a finish time for maybe October or November this year.

On a side note, I've been saving my sketches since 1988 and have tons of designs. I was flipping through the more recent ones looking for one that I could possibly construct. Ummm, I don't know about them now that I've actually constructed one of my own. I can't quite put my finger on it, but most of them seem a bit difficult to execute or they need some major editing. I think I may do a new sketch and construct it. I'm curious to know how my sketch techniques will be affected since I know I'll be actually constructing them. I'm trying to not let the fear of my sewing limitations impair myself.

That's why I think it'll be beneficial to do both projects at the same time. I'll post my sketch that I will hopefully do today. So excited!

V1052 Misses' Jacket and Pants Issey Miyake Vogue Patterns

Post Assessment

Well aside from needing to sew the hemline of the skirt, I FINALLY FINISHED CONSTRUCTING MY FIRST DESIGN! Seems like the 6 1/2 weeks that it took to complete took forever, but at the same time it really wasn't very long considering the fact that just earlier this year I had no clue where to begin. Prayer, faith, and encouragement from family and friends are what made it happen. I learned so much piecing this simple garment together, but the thing I learned most was patience b/c working on this definitely tested mine.

While constructing the garment I notated a few likes and dislikes that I experienced while sewing the dress as well as assessment of the dress.

LIKES

• The dress drapes well


• I love the color


• It's not too tight

DISLIKES

• Too low cut


• The cut of the bodice was a bit too large


• Excessive seam allowances; large intake


• The contrasting serger threads (should've used red instead of white)

Another thing I assessed is that I'm going back and forth on is the length of the dress. I was certain I wanted it to be a maxi skirt, but the finished result looks a little bridesmaid-sy. I can definitely see myself wearing the top with a nice pair of jeans, but the dress itself seems a little more suited for a resort wear. I'm leaning towards designing more along those lines too. Overall I'm pleased with the techniques I learned such as waistband casing, contouring, and drafting circles, but I have SO MUCH more to learn. One day at a time....

Planned and Unpredictable Series of Events...

...but I'm almost finished! The very second after I posted my last entry a series of both planned and unpredictable events occured. It was one thing after another ranging from trips to the doctor, various overnight house guests, home repairs, birthdays, etc! I had really let the frustration get to me because I had planned to finish the garment no later than last Saturday. I was especially discouraged because I had planned to wear it to the Little Rock Fashion Week's fashion show. Can't beat myself over it because life got in the way and that's just how it is. It took me an entire week after my last post to pick up where I left off. I did manage to finish the bodice. I made post assessment notes after I tried it on that I will share once I finish the the skirt....BUT, I'm running into possible problems.

I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH FABRIC!!!! Last time I was in the fabric store I saw just a bit of the red cotton fabric left on the bolt, but I didn't purchase it b/c thought I had enough. I went back a few days later and it was all gone, ugh! I'm going to see if there's any at the other store's location which is on the other side of town. ***sigh*** I really wanted it to be a maxi skirt and not above-the knee. I also wanted it to be a solid color set. If the other store doesn't have it I'll need to think of a Plan B. I'll either need to make it a short skirt or find a really nice print fabric to use for the skirt. We'll see.