Toile and Garment Constructions

(Cutting fabric for toile)

      Prior to constructing my final garments, it is a wise idea to produce a toile using the patterns I have already made so that I will be more accurate for the real thing. Admittedly, the pattern pieces I made were really easy to use and once the calico was cut from them, it was also easy to put the pieces together. Considering I have not had much experience with pattern cutting, it is so exciting that I've been able to make these pieces by myself, let along construct my final garments also. The piece that I would say was the easiest to make would have been the trousers, only because I have made quite a few in the past and the same techniques usually apply. The toiles didn't take hardly any time at all, which was great knowing that my final garments would be complete relatively quickly. It is a shame that I couldn't make any pattern pieces for the top half of my garments and this is due to them being made out of knit and it wouldn't have the same texture or shape if I was to use calico. Despite this, I fear that my garments may be either too tight fitted or lose for my models once they have them on for my shoot, but I must make sure I come prepared regardless if I have to make any alterations or adjustments to my garments, but hopefully not!

      If I could have done anything different with this production process, I would have perhaps considered constructed the toile using the actual fabric that I want to use for my final garment. Not only this, but I would have experimented further with the toiles to make them look much more deformed and frayed, although saying this, I think leaving it plain and minimal shows what the trousers looked like before they were even further developed; it is important to notice this, as it could represent the transition from a normal human being into one that changes itself, whether that being inside or out. In addition to improvements, it would have been great to experiment with some of my other designs to practice creating toiles for them, although time management would have been the worst of me as I want to stick to my brief as much as possible without it spiralling all out of control. 

(Cutting and sowing my linen patterns for final garments)

     Above is the final result from my trouser toile for garment 2. I am really happy with how this toile has come out as the darts are accurate, the seams are clean and the fit overall is great, so it should fit my model perfectly. I have created quite a few toiles in my education, although it is such an important process as a developing designer to make sure that you can build up enough knowledge and experience, but also reduce the amount of mistakes in the process. In terms of my concept and final designs, I feel that the 2 outfits I have chosen to make are very suitable for this project, but also making it a lot easier for myself to construct them with as less faults as possible. Overall, I am very happy with the outcome of this process and I am looking forward to finally creating both of my final garments ready for the shoot. I am hoping that the real garment will come out just or even more effectively than the toiles I have already produced, let alone fit them properly, but that will be a challenge I will have to face in time.

    Overall, I am extremely pleased with how my toile skills have developed, but it also gives me confidence to be focused on creating my official final garments. I think the biggest struggle of the next stage would be to make sure that it fits the model as I don't have any proper measurements for either of them, but this is how I will improve as a designer and work from my mistakes. It is scary to think how much longer we have till the end of our FMP, but I think for my project in particular, I can really see how my past experimentations and processes have made me come to this point, but also how the story reflects back on my toile either from the shape, processes or first thoughts on the overall look. Hence, I am very excited to see how my final garments come out and then I will begin to develop a concept board for my shoot and look book.