You Asked ~ SMF Tells!! April 14, 2014

Hi Everyone!  Thanks for all the nice messages about my New Weekly Blog Feature:  You Asked ~ SMF Tells!

It's exciting to me that you're loving my new feature and feel it will be helpful to you.  It's a little like opening the flood gates for some really interesting questions....hummmm......Keep them coming!!

You Asked:  I love fashion and would like to become a Fashion Designer.  Do I need to go to school or can I do it on my own?  I don't know how to sew or draw either.  Will that be a problem?

SMF Tells:  It's always a great idea to attend school for anything you'd like to learn and plan to pursue make into a career. The Fashion Industry is extremely competitive, so I will caution you about that.  You will first need to ask yourself a few questions.

1.  What is it about "fashion" that I love?  If it's that you love to dress and shop for latest fashions, that may not be enough.  You will need to have a drive to develop your own style.  It's also important to believe in that style and envision others wearing your designs.

2.  Am I willing to do what it takes to learn all facets of the industry?  This will involve learning a basic knowledge of sewing, construction and sketching. It's necessary to know at least basic sewing construction to be able to understand the principles of garment construction. Sketching is essential to convey your ideas to a pattern maker or draper to create your vision.

3.  Am I open minded and able to take criticism.  The industry can be harsh.  It will chew you up and spit you out if you are weak. You will need to stay the course until your in a position to lead the way to your vision.  Be tough!!

4.  Really ask yourself "why" you want to become a Fashion Designer. There are many television shows that glamorize this industry in a way of making you think it's all about a party.  Hard work, determination and creativity are all parts of what you will need to work towards to reach your goals.

You Asked:  I've been trying to hem a lightweight knit top I made.  No matter what I do, the hem keeps twisting.  How can I prevent this from happening?

SMF Tells:  Many lightweight knit's on the market currently are finished off grain.  This means that the fabric isn't blocked perfectly, during the finishing process.  Unfortunately this causes any area that's folded on it's self, like a hem, to twist.  Ironing in a narrow piece of fusible tricot interfacing helps avoid this problem.  I used this technique on the hem of a knit top I made recently. Animal Print with a Twist, shows pictures of how I used fusible interfacing to control my hem.  Try it!

You Asked:  I have trouble staying motivated and completing projects.  I always start out excited about a new project, then somewhere along the way I lose interest.  How do I stay focused and not lose interest?

This is a question I received several times in varied forms. Creative individuals get scattered sometimes. It's just a fact.  We sometimes are overly focused on a project and get into a groove and then other times, we see something else that intrigues or excites us and we're off track.  It's important to just work through it and keep in mind how great it feels to a finished and be satisfied with a project. If losing motivation is due to your project not turning out the way you envisioned, that happens from time to time too. Don't get too hung up over disappointment, that disables you into not trying again.

Thanks again for all the kind support of my new blog feature!  Please keep all the great questions coming.

Have a Happy Creative Day!!

Roxanne

DISCLAIMER:  All of my advice is given as my own opinion from my professional experience as a Fashion Designer, Textile Drafter, and Production Pattern Maker.  Keep in mind that there's more than one way to approach any sewing technique, sewing equipment, or construction process.