The Top and skirt although seemed the simpler of the two outfits, also had several problems arise during making that had not been apparent in the toileing process.
the basic pattern was simple enough to make, although I added too much at the front and on the hem of the main skirt to create a button stand as I initially intended to fasten the two garments with buttons, but decided that I wanted to marry the coat to it further to make it appear to be part of a larger collection.
The origami had its own major project problem,I accidentally bought too thin interfacing which would not hold its shape too well. I managed to combat this by using spray starch which worked to stiffen the fabric enough to fold.
the next challenge was attatching it to the under skirt, as I mentioned before, I would need to do it on a stratight seam, and the shaping of the origami is helping to create this illusion of the hourglass.
with both sides of the origami, the hourglass effect is more visible than with only one hand. I also found that the back needed more pulling in to match the size of the front better,
I have reflected the peplum style onto the collar. with it split into smaller sections similar to the coat, and the skirt, the collar and peplum will need the correct interfacing .
The sleeve was initially intended it to be a similar style to a small batwing this proved difficult to pin to the seams,
again the origami needed a stronger stiffener and i did once again need to use the spray starch.
overall I was really pleased with the top and skirt which my model really enjoyed wearing, they actually said “Lots of clothes I’ve tried have felt shapeless and unattractive, but this made me feel like I had a waist and hips in the mirror and because it was tight fitting I still felt like I had finally achieved the hourglass shape even when I wasn’t looking in a mirror.” – Anon
Final Major Project 