Mentor Meeting 5/19

I showed Ms. Lasher the t-shirt I was working on.
I then shared my plans for next garment- the nest dress!!!
My planned date for the presentation (the 17th of June) is all good.
I needed help with ideas on how to write the narrative and give a good presentation that did not repeat what was written in my journal.
At first, Ms. Lasher and I were really stumped. How could the journal only make up a small portion of the narrative and presentation, when the journal was recording everthing I did. But then I started thinking about interpretation. What are different ways I can interpret and present my project so that I can give it a new meaning in each medium, a paper and a presentation.
We decided that for the narrative, I would give more background and depth to my past in making me choose this project, what I learned and achieved, and how I will use this new understanding and knowledge in the future. This is the story on how WISE impacted my life, and how my journal gave me a new lense to look through.
As for my presentation, I was thinking of presenting each model, and include accessories and make-up. Ms. Lasher says that she and Ms. Affronti might be able to lend me some jewelery. Ms Lasher says she might have the prefect turquoise necklace for me to use. I also found two or three possible models, and one of them, Cassy, says that she would be willing to help me with make-up. She always has funky make-up on, and would perfect. I would then talk about my inspiration for the garment, how my inspiration transformed and changed, and background research on my sources of information, and the international cultures that I took tips from in making my garments.
Ms Lasher really gave me some great ideas, and I feel much more confident about my project now.

Sew Green 5/19

Gir forgot the pattern :( But she says she might be able to bring it on Monday. I should have gotten her cell so I could remind her, even though I don't have texting I could have called. I'm so glad she's letting me use her pattern. It's going to be so exciting. I should thank her somehow...
I worked on my t-shirt pretty much the whole time. I fitted the sides, which now fit very well. I then ripped a lot of seams around the neck, trying to have the collar lay flat, and each time I needed to finish them by sewing over them so they wouldn't come undone. It took a long time. Thankfully the cloth was forgiving, allowing me to rip the seams slightly easier, but the ends of the seams were difficult to take out. I then tried it out, and decided to fold he collar in half so that it's double sided, shorter, and more like a collar. Though it was a lot more difficult than I thought it would be, and I'm thinking of ripping it out. The ends of the cloth kept on curling, making it very difficult to sew, and when I ironed it, the iron was too hot, and the cloth got shiny  :(
I'll fix it next time!
Oh! I forgot to add... I've become a lot more comfortable sewing now. I don't know when it happened, but I can now jump on a machine, and not feel intimidated. I think that that is the biggest step of all.

Mentor Meeting 5/5

So my mentor meeting only happened today because I was absent on Tuesday. Ms. Lasher wasn't around during 2nd period, but I was able to meet up with her after school. I showed her my design for the next thing I'm going to do (the chinese styled t-shirt, which I have STILL not posted!!), and my dress so far. Perhaps I will request that we have mentor meetings on Thursdays again, since then she will be able to see the stuff that I am taking to Sew-Green. Yes, the dress was in it's tangled messy state, but it will be fixed today!
We also set a date for the fabric shopping expedition!! It will be this upcoming Tuesday!!! Yay! Ms. Lasher and I will meet afterschool, and then go SHOPPING!!!!!!!!!!!

Mentor Meeting 4/27

I missed my Tuesday mentor meeting due to my flight being canceled. I had to travel for 36 hours straight from Europe. It was evil.
So on Wednesday, we had a very short mentor meeting. I had just been scared witless by my french teacher, who had threatened to not allow me to take my final, and Ms Lasher was very good at cheering me up and helping me calm down. I felt bad for occupying her time talking about something unrelated to WISE, but I really needed to talk to someone about it.
Thankfully she got us back on topic, by asking about the dress... It of course didn't get finished, but it's supposed to be finished during the next session, so keep your fingers crossed!
We also talked about going fabric shopping. Ms. Lasher seemed excited about it, and I asked again if she was okay with going. She said of course, and I'm so grateful that she's offering her time to come with. She said we could go after school sometime. Yay!!
Then we were done, and I walked off to my doomed French final...

Mentor Meeting 4/12

Today Ms. Lasher and I once again talked about my last Sew-Green session. I told her about the t-shirt refashioning, and then how I had chalked, cut, and pinned my dress, and was ready to sew during the next session! I once again was saying how the dress woudl be finished by the next session, but it seems as though I've been saying that a lot, and it hasn't been happening. Oh well, we'll see. It will be finished when it's ready.
I also told her about how Autumn's been really worried about my project, and how I've decided that this project is not only going to test my skills, learning ability, and time management, but my perfectionism and patience. I'm going to have to try and be less of a perfectionist, because otherwise it will drive myself and others crazy. I just need to try my best, and know that I'm a complete amature, so I shouldn't be worried about perfection, but learning the skill. Thankfully, due to Autumn's expression of concern, I was able to reassure her, and thus myself, that it actually didn't matter how far I got with my project, just as long as I learn and have fun. I've definately convinced myself that my work will NOT be perfect, but it will be a great experience, lots of fun, and still look good.
The concern of cloth was discussed once again. Since I had been able to look through the cloth bins, I was able to sketch something to go with the orange fabric. It's Chinese-inspired, and I really like it! The blue cloth is still being difficult to decide, but perhaps I can use it for a dress of some sort.
Ms Lasher was also really nice in that she said she would be okay with going with me to go cloth shopping. I thought it would be really fun to have her along, and she could give me her opinion on the cloth. The plan is to go buy cloth the week after break, though this may be difficult since my parents will be out of town.

Mentor Meeting 4/5

Today I met with Ms Lasher as usual, and we had a very brief talk about what I did at my last sew-green session. I told her that there was a possiblity that I might complete the dress during the next session! We also talked about how, since the MUN team (of which she is the advisor) might be going to NYC, I might be able to take a detour during that trip!

Mentor Meeting and In Class 3/29

Today Ms. Lasher and I talked about my previous visit to Sew Green, what I accomplished, and the plan for the next visit. We also talked about what I need to do, such as start sewing on my own, and getting my hands on some patterns to practice with. We also talked about an idea we both have been talking about for a while, but I'm afraid I never remembered to put in my blog. We had been discussing the possiblity of going ot New York City as a field trip at the end of my project to look at Parson's and FIT, visit Mood, and pick up any materials I could not find in Ithaca. I don't know if this is really going to happen, but it would be fun to plan out. We'll see.

Today in class, we were assigned a 3rd Quarter Evaluation (eek! eight weeks have vanished way to quickly!), and told to make a list about
3 Ways I've stepped out of my comfort zone

4 Ways my project has changed so far

3 Things I wish I'd done differently in working on my project

5 Things I've learned about my field of interest/myself/working with others

This will be in a separate entry, since this one will be too long otherwise
We then saw people's blog and what they had been doing so far. It gave me a good idea about what other people are doing, and how they are organizing their blog. It also intrigued me to look at their blogs.

Mentor Meeting 3/29

This is a space filler
It will be filled when I have more time
Talked about last Sew Green visit
Future visit
progress
what I need to do

Went home
researched pretty bird types
had fun looking at pretty colors
ideas

In class...
Lists...

Wow.. I have a lot of writing to get done...

Mentor Meeting 3/15

Since we had been told to bring in something from our project to share in class on Tuesday, I decided to have our mentor meeting on Tuesday instead. Besides, last week it was on a Monday, so we're a little off, and that's okay. Sometimes we talk about the project outside of our meetings too, so I guess we have an ongoing series of newsflashes.
Anyway, today I showed her my sketchbook for the first time. I really like how Ms. Lasher boosts my confidence, and convinces me that I'm not doing a bad job, and that I'm on track. Sometimes I need that when I'm being really critical. We looked at the sketches so far (I'm sorry I haven't shown you the flat sketches so far, they're coming!), and I talked to her about my newer designs (also coming).
One design, (that's not up yet) was something inspired by Project Runway. It's made of muslin (like the episode when they had to design a dress made from a potato sack), and it's ultra cheap, but ultra mod and almost a prom dress. It's really awesome, but I was having trouble connecting it to the theme that I chose of Birds of a Feather (I just came up with that title. I like it!!). It is in the natural color of muslin (of white/tan), and is really natural looking, with a really modern cut, and champagne tulle (I've been spelling it wrong) that makes it suddenly a lot more sophisticated. At first I tried to alter the neckline, and make it a zip up neck that looks like a beak, but I think that that design will have to be for a different dress. Then, Ms Lasher gave me the awesome idea that it's the Bird's Nest, and I added that the model would wear a chunky turquoise necklace for the robins eggs! It was PERFECT. I had been so set on this dress, I would have been really disappointed to drop it just because of it not fitting with the theme, so I was really excited to be able to use this design. Ms Lasher also voiced a concern that if it's not sewn correctly, the pleating might make the model look pregnant, so when I went home, I looked at my prom dress, to see how it had been pleated, and copied the sewing technique onto my flat sketches. Finally, we thought that perhaps the tulle could be replaced with frayed burlap, making it even more green and cheap, but edgier at the same time.
I love Ms. Lasher. She gives me such good ideas!

Mentor Meeting 2/8

Today we talked mainly about the financial aspect of my project. Ms. Lasher was the first one who really lit the lightbulb that this was something I really should think about. I hadn't really thought of any fundraising ideas, and I quickly realized while talking to her that I had no idea what to do! I knew I had some discount options, and we found out that there are tons of selective sales and discounts at Jo-Ann's, but really, I had no clue!
We came up with a few ideas:

• Selling cookies!- I have already been begged for cookies, obviously they're popular. Perhaps I could sell them in class? The boys would buy them all in two days!
• Getting people to fund my clothes, though I don't think this will work for the following reasons
• I will need them to be my models, and be ready when I need them for fittings. It would be so much easier to use my own body
• They might not like the end result, and not want to pay for it
• Honestly, I don't really want to part with my work. I'm so excited about wearing these clothes MYSELF. What if the model never appreciates it?
• However, during the presentation, it might be tough to present the clothes without models, but if they aren't being modeled, people can touch them. ARGHHH! Well, perhaps I can borrow a few manniquens for that one day, or find other people my size, since I'm pretty average in terms of waist size
• Using discounts to fullest potential and having super low budget
• Ms. Lasher found that there was a VIP card for designers/sewing fanatics at Jo-Ann's that gives a 10 % disocunt. She kindly said that she would help me talk to Jo-Ann's, and that we would try to get that card, because it would be really helpful in gathering whatever I cannot find at Sew-Green.
• Buying/ asking for used clothes and using the material for new clothes

Also, something that just happened a few minutes ago! My mom had said that she would pay me for some babysitting that I had done, and give me the cost of the ticket I would have bought had I gone to the concert as well (it's complicated. Pretty much, I traded going with my parents to a concert for babysitting my brother and having the cash that would have gone towards the ticket instead). Well, it turns out she was serious about her offer! I now have $100 with which to start my project!!!!! It's not much (my initial estimate of expenses had been around $150-200), but it definately is not nothing! I will definately be able to start with this, and perhaps fund my whole project if I am frugal and a super super discount shopper.

Mentor Meeting and My first day at Sew Green

During my mentor meeting today, Ms. Lasher and I had a short chat about my upcoming first day of my apprenticeship at Sew Green. We decided that since we wouldn't know about how the first day went until the next day, that we would meet Monday of next week in order to have a full meeting.

My first day at Sew Green!
I walked into the room, and was immediately greeted by smiling faces and a warm, welcoming classroom. I finally got to meet Wendy, and Autumn was there too. I recognized Gir, a former student of Ithaca High School, who is now an apprentice of Sew-Green. Everyone was hard at work on their sewing machines, making drawstring bags to be sent to school children in third world countries. Sew Green often has projects aimed at donating to charities. For example, Sew Green once made dresses for little girls in Africa. It's quite touching to know that the bag you were sewing for practice wasn't just going to be a wasted effort, but aftually help someone.
Right off the bat, Gir, gave me a very entertaining run-down of sewing machine, telling me all of the parts of the machine, and how they worked. Unfortunately, in my later efforts on making bags, I forgot the sheet with all the names of the parts. I will have to remember to get it at my next visit. However, the names were quite straight forward, and I remembered many of them from my sewing lessons when I was little.
As soon as my intro was finished, I was set to work, making bags. I made three bags in 1.5 hours, which is VERY slow compared to some of the other sewers, however, I got the hang of sewing again (for the most part!) I realized that my lines have become very messy, and since we had to sew next to a very thin edge, I was having a lot of trouble. I feel like I would have had an easier time on my own machine, but I am really rusty, so who knows. In the future, perhaps I will pin my seams while I am practicing, and gradually reduce the number of pins, in order to have my edges line up.
At the end of the day, I got some one on one time with Autumn. She looked over my sketches, and gave some comments. One was whether or not I wanted a theme. Usually fashion lines have one piece that ties everything together. I need to decide what that will be. Another was that, although I have labeled my sketches, I need to draw flat sketches of the clothes (as though they are lying on the ground) with all the seams shown, and lots of detail. I'm glad I have a lot of space in my sketchbook! Finally, I should be designing while keeping in mind that the more I can alter the same pattern and come up with something new, the better, that way we can work with the same pattern and add stuff on.
Next week, Autumn said that I we would be able to start draping my first dress! I'm really excited. We're going to start with the easiest piece, which is the dress with the coral painted on it (see Sketchbook). In the meantime, I have to expand my sketches with the flat sketches, and come up with some more designs and options so that we have many to pick and choose from. Right now I have 3 favorites. Obviously, since I plan to have 5 outfits, I need some more sketches.
One last thing that I forgot...
We talked about the cost of cloth. Cloth can be really expensive, and currently I don't know how I'm going to get the money. I was thinking of dipping into my wages, but I really want to save up for college. Right now, that's my back up plan. I get 40% off all the merchandise in the Sew-Green store, since I'm an apprentice. That's HUGE! I have yet to explore the store, but that will definately be a way to save money. Also, I'm currently desiging clothes with realtively low cost materials (muslin, stretch cotton, etc).
One idea I had for raising money would be to get my models to sponser me. Since the clothes would be made to fit them, they could pick which outfit they want to model, and bid for it. The highest bidder gets to model the outfit, and then keep it so long as they pay for all of the materials. This would give me a budget, but at least I would have money to make the clothes. Alternatively, I can think of it as an investment for myself, making clothes that I would wear in the future, and paying out of pocket. This would be easier in that I would always have a model (me), but I would probably put an even smaller budget on each outfit in that case, since I really don't want to be broke!

Mentor Meeting 2/17

Today I had a short mentor meeting with Ms. Lasher. I finally found out why my invitations to read my blog were not working, and was able to successfully have her join my blog. I also told her that on Wednesday, I found out that I had been given an apprenticeship at Sew-Green! I will be starting Thursday, March 3rd, right after school. I'm very excited to start the apprenticeship. Sew-Green has a lot that it can teach me, and I want to absorb as much as I can! I also heard that the refashioning course is really cool. It's not really what my WISE project entails, but I'm hope to do it anyway.

Mentor Meeting

Today I met with Ms. Lasher. I talked about my upcoming interview (which is tomorrow!), and what I had done so far (set up the interview, start my blog, and make a few sketches). It was a pretty short mentor meeting, because I have just started, and there was little to talk about, but I discussed upcoming goals, plans, and Ms. Lasher told me that one of her friends is a costume designer, so I might be able to work with her too! I would love to do a project designing and making a costume. It would be really fun. She comes down from Rochester on the weekends, so maybe we could meet then.
My interview is scheduled for 6:15 tomorrow, at Sew-Green. I'm a little nervous, but I've done interviews before, and I should be fine. I had emailed Autumn Newell, the Youth Program Director, and left a message on their phone. Soon after (like five minutes later, actually) I got a response requesting an interview on Thursday. I replied that it would work, and I got emailed a form that I have to fill out. The form's pretty straight forward and simple, but it has the following question, which will need more thought:

Please tell us a little about yourself. What are some of your interests?

Why do you think you would be a good fit for the apprenticeship program?

This is similar to almost any interview, but I need to really consider exactly how I will fit in the program. I know that it will benefit me a lot, but I need to carefully consider how I will benefit the program, seeing as I have no sewing experience.
All in all though, I'm very excited about the apprenticeship. I know that I will work hard, and learn a lot.