So i got to start where i left off on friday-sewing in ends :)

i completed 6 Cap sleeves plus hand sewing using the mattress stitch to define and create the desired shape. I also got half way through mattress stitch sewing another 4, I have tasks for tomorrow. Which is fab! I love coming in and getting on with the tasks.

Sadly! I have no direct photographs in the studio however i will get some photos of the team currently in the studio with me.

Evaluation of my day, I think i have mastered the construction of the desired shape, mattress stitch ( i am certainly able to sew this a lot quicker then last week. I am very pleased as i would love to be able to complete the manufacturing process from start to finish.

I am learning a lot from alice, attention to detail, securing the finish, professional finishings so far to name a few.

Goal: To be able to complete the manufacturing process from start to finish, efficiently.

Till tomorrows update...

Mattress Stitching & Servicing a Dubied Machine

The Peak of my day at placement is i learnt how to service a dubied machine and overcame a independent task that i was struggling with.

I sewed in some more (sewing ends- sewing in the ends of yarn not within the knitting) ends today however due to the nature of the yarn laddering, I had to burn the ends of the yarn and conceal it. I also sewed the shoulder panels to some Cap sleeves using the mattress stitch. It was rather complicated to master the task as i had to figure out how it was sewn from a existing fully finish garment.

I have to say that once i understood the technique, i wanted to carry on with the task. However the Dubied 12gg Machine needed servicing. Lucky me!!!

This is a Dubied knitting machine

The pitt of my day was the bad backache, i came home with today and yesterday.

We began the process of servicing the dubied at 4:00PM, i left placement at 6Pm with the front bed high butts remaining to be cleaned.


I will say that servicing a dubied machine is very time consuming but i approached the task with enthusiasm and was pleased that i managed to clean the entire back bed high butts, low butts and also the front low butts.

An example of needles on a dubied

I cannot wait to go to the studio to finish mattress stitching each cap sleeve 7 times.

I am expecting next week to be very busy, long hours and all in the aide of meeting a huge target deadline. to some this may seem like a plain tasks but i am very passionate about knitwear and keen to absorb the full experience. It is key as this is my career goal.

I am keen to learn how a label operate, everything knit related, manufacturing a collection, time management.

 Alice thus far, is teaching me quite a bit.

New Term- Placement Term

Thursday 3rd January 2013 (POSTED A DAY LATE)

Today I Learnt how to use  steam blocking to shape finished knitted panels.

To those that do not know what Steam blocking is.

The process of blocking panels/Fabric to a flat smooth surface using pins and a steam iron to smooth out creases, bumps, relief and shape delicate knitting or crochet.


The Peak of the day was how many i knitted pieces that i steamed and also that Alice was happy with the standards on completion.


The Pitt of the day, I ended up with really bad backache from standing all day ( I suffer from backaches regularly).

I will update this post in a few days to add photo's demonstrating the steam blocking method.

New Years Resolutions: 2013

Happy new year 2013!!!! 

New Years Resolutions

1. Eat more healthily
2. Exercise regularly and strengthen core areas.
3. Launch online retail e-commerce knitwear site.
4. Book &Take my driving test.
5. Knit 5 pieces of knitwear a week.
6. Learn new knitting techniques.
7. Smile everyday for at least 10 mins (recommended for everyone).
8. Learn new advanced pattern cutting skills.
9. Learn new advanced CAD skills.
10. Practise speaking French conversationally. 
11. Read one new book per month.
12. Complete technical folder techniques.
13. Enjoy life to the max, travel, photograph, take in the world!
14. Look after my mind, body and soul.
15. Complete several steps from my 10 step plan by 31st Dec 2013.

So we all have goals to aspire to...what are yours....

Good Luck!!!!!!

 

Placement Cover letter & CV:

I applied for my placement with a cover letter & cv tailored to the particular placement and company.

I update my cover letter & cv quite frequently. This is reinforced with my linkedin profile:

uk.linkedin.com/pub/nadine-camille/32/646/661/

River Island brief-Eclectic Geometry vs Kinetic Kaleidoscope

For A/W 2012, I had a River Island industry brief. The task was to design a collection for the River Island customer that epitomises ‘Soft Tailoring’.

    

> Fully Finished Tailored jacket / coat in final fabric

> Fully Finished complementary garment in final fabric 

> Lay plan of outer shell of the Jacket / Coat with an evaluation of cost.

Project Title: ‘Soft Tailoring’

River Island A/w 2012- current season- 'Soft Tailoring'

First Day of Placement - 20th December 2012

My first day consisted of short demonstrations of how to finish a garment, I spent it learning the many different ways one can sew in ends to accomplish i high standard finished garment. i have to say the needles, alice used really helped especially with all the different yarn weights and thickness.

I usually use a standard brother spare machine needle for this process however this is not always effective.

For those of you that are unaware of what i mean when i use the term 'sewing in ends'.

attached below a hand knitter demonstrating one method of sewing in ends.

http://youtu.be/1B9u6boPMJA - Please subscribe to knitter Cyberseams if you like the video informative.

I would recommend alice Palmer as a great designer to intern with as she is a good mentor, she teaches you at a reasonable pace and has you finishing multiple garments, quickly and to a high standard.