Distinction Student? Me? Really?

So the last 16weeks all come down to this final moment and I'm panicking I just haven't done enough! I've been into college today to hand in my constructed work......8 garments in total. One of them is slightly unfinished as I had taken it home to finish hemming and well, my sewing machine just didn't like the heavy, thick corduroy and the bias binding. I've tried over the last 2 days every tension combination, changed the needle and bought all kinds of thread and quiet frankly I was ready to throw the ultimate bitch-fit. I guess on reflection I could have made up an extra hour at college this week (somewhere), maybe had a shorter lunch break and I would have got it all done at college but I'm not going to beat myself up about not getting 2 cuffs and trouser legs hemmed because due to my personal planning I've actually handed in a week a head of the construction deadline!!!.......A WEEK!!!   Anyway...Here's a couple of photos of me hard at work!

 

Lay-planning

Busy bee on the industrial overlocker

 

My actual final deadline is 21st June after our fashion show and during this time that I need to polish up my written coursework, evaluate and critically reflect on myself. Something I do in small doses here on my blog but I'm going to go back though all my written work and add into it in more depth. I know at this stage I'm at a merit with some distinction qualities but If I'm going to achieve a solid distinction then I've got some work to do. My tutors has been simply amazing and so so supportive and hear those words...."Abi you are a distinction student", to be honest I can't quite believe it. I'm going to aim for distinction, do the very best I can as I don't want to let them or myself down. If I only pass this first year on a merit, I know I would have given it my very best shot. Whilst I'm writing this in fact, I can't quite believe I've even achieved merits! Somebody pinch me! 

Here's a little sneak peak of my textiles work coming up for the fashion show.......My collection is called Colonies.

  

Last week I spent sometime in Romania with the IPS (Infection prevention society) and It was fantastic to get a break away from studying and feel some sunshine on my bones. My trips away (I'm in New Orleans next week...whoop whoop) are the reason I've had to be very tight and as precise as can be in my personal planning (and hand in a week ahead on schedule) but In the grand scheme of things it's something I will have to re-consider for next year...Hmmmmm food for thought.  Well...This is my last blog for a couple of weeks as I go away to New Orleans and then its the fashion show. Wish me luck guys...this momma is gonna need it! Abi xx

How beautiful is Romania?????? 

Down to the last three weeks!!! Have I planned my time correctly??

Crikey I don't really know where to begin but it seems rather apt to want to shout a bunch of profanities *BLEEPBLEEPBLEEP. I am down to the last 3 weeks (including this week) of construction and guess what....I'm away for a week of that. Good job I've been keeping myself on track in my diary and planning my days. My diary looks something like this!

  

The last 12 weeks look something like these pages...Epic planning even documenting why I couldn't complete a task or when Ryan was poorly and I couldn't get into college. Despite being a 'grown up' and a mommy, planning my time has never been my strong point. I'm usually happy to do a lot of procrastinating and then panic at the last minute. At the start of the HND I very much had this outlook but I soon realised I wasn't going to pass my first year by procrastinating and expecting my tutors manage my time. Daphne's Diary you have saved my life!

Check me out working....I actually feel like a real fashion designer  or a contestant on the Great British Sewing Bee haha!! I wish..It's nothing like it and far too much paperwork involved. The middle photograph (Thanks Jo for snapping me) is me on the industrial overlocker...The machine of nightmares. Its super fast, super super fast and as it binds your raw edge it slices it at the same time to neaten it off. It's a scary machine to operate but I really wanted to embrace it and grow my confidence using it. So far so good...Few slip ups when I pressed the pedal down too quickly as the the motor quickened and it ate my fabric. Ooooops!

 

I must say I'm beginning to really feel the pressure of the impending deadline and how much work I've got to do in such little time and I could easily chuck the towel in and give up, perhaps not even return to Yr 2 in September but then I come home to this face and remember part of why I am doing this...For my little boy. I want him to look at his mummy and at least say...She tried her best. Abi xx

Trying to remember how to blog!!

Crikey it's been awhile since I blogged last and I think I've forgotten what to do! I've had nearly 3weeks off for Easter and the time off with my family is just what the doctor ordered but I did have to put some work days in, Starting with getting my sewing studio up and running.

All up and running...Finally had carpet put in!

Sewing station area

                                                  

 Really wish I had taken some before photos but to be honest this garden room was a complete embarrassment and a hoarders paradise! Any of my friends that read this will vouch for me when I say it was full from floor to ceiling and side to side with stuff! Stuff I just couldn't bear to part with but as the demands of my HND were becoming greater, I've had to get this room sorted and serviceable. First port of call was to get it emptied and get the carpet down on the floor, then re-assemble (and throw away) everything. I'm super pleased with what I achieved in the first week of Easter and I've used it so much already! In fact, getting this room sorted has give me the tools to crack on with toile production in my own time and get myself ahead of my own schedule.

Coming back to college last week, I felt in a great position. I had completed my toiles at home over Easter (my new sewing studio) and this had given me a bit of a head start back. My first port of call was to tackle my oversized kimono block. I've been adamant that I don't want any arm seams in my top as I wanted it to be one complete piece. I'm feeling quite confident In pattern drafting and so set to work by myself using the Aldrich book for reference (make sure im on the right track) and came up with my own pattern for a batwing oversized kimono top. I enjoyed the mental task of problem solving this pattern, then technically drawing it. I'm really proud of my achievement here.

My self made and drafted pattern

The Aldrich Bible