Evaluation

Self Directed Project has been a learning curve for me. I began this unit by thinking about what I wanted to achieve through the course of it and how this would help to further my studies.
Firstly I chose to work individually. This meant I could direct my studies in the areas that concentrate most on my own personal and professional aspirations. It helped me to develop my ability to work independently by not relying on others, solving problems by myself and ultimately developing my skills through autonomous learning. This was an important step for me to achieve as I have not worked entirely independently before and, having taken this step, I feel my self belief and confidence in my own ability has grown, which will undoubtedly aid me in my future career.
I also wanted to use this unit to broaden my knowledge of period costume. I used both primary and secondary research from a range of sources and by focussing on a specific era in time I was able to research it thoroughly to understand the silhouette of the time and become fluent with the clean lines. I have learnt about fabrics used, how they were dyed using plant dyes, how different colours demonstrated status and wealth, popular accessories and the appropriateness and etiquette of wearing what and when. I feel I used this research well to inform my work and directly influence my design, so that not only do I have a more comprehensive idea of the context, but was able to make an costume fairly accurate to the fashion of the early 1800s.
I decided to approach my Self Directed Project from a theatrical perspective, as I felt this would be most useful in aiming for a career in theatre. I looked at a variety of costumes from productions set in the early 1800s, which helped me to see how a period garment can be translated in to a costume. They influenced my considerations to theatrical use, such as using fabrics which were similar to those used at the time but perhaps more hard wearing and cheaper, so that they could be replaced once worn out, using snap fastenings for ease in case of quick changes and embroidery that doesn't need to show anything other than the impression of embroidery from the distance of the audience. I feel that, from looking at it from a theatrical perspective, I have become accustomed to thinking in this way. This helped me to create a costume, rather than a garment, and will continue to aid my future projects.
This unit has enabled me to develop my making skills. I wanted to improve on and build my confidence in using the method of pattern cutting on the stand, a skill I had learnt but not yet used to produce a costume. I feel I achieved this and was surprised at how comfortable I felt using this method. I believe I now understand more the shaping of garments to the body form and how construction lines can be manipulated to result in a better fit. My fittings demonstrated this in having minimal alterations and where there were alterations to be made it enabled me to understand more clearly how, even with accurate measurements, the slight differences in each body shape affect the shaping of the pattern pieces. The obvious improved fit increased my confidence in using stand cutting shows my progression.
The emphasis on my work in this unit was to refine my finishing skills to produce a well made period costume. I achieved this by carefully considering the techniques that would be most suitable to the fabrics I used and the theatrical context. I used a rolled seam on the edges and hem of the muslin for a neater finish. I reduced the length of the stitches to hold the fine muslin more securely and so that the stitching on the waistband would not be too noticeable. I used piped seams round the neckline and sleeve armholes for neatness in a sharper, more definite edge and to reflect the costumes I had looked at in my primary research. The fastenings are securely sewn on for constant use and the hem is rolled and machine stitched, as the costumes in my primary research were, as it is not noticeable from a distance, is more hard wearing and would be easier to repair if damaged. The accessories I have made to compliment the dress – the bonnet, reticule and parasol – were made as accurately as possible according to my research, with the correct trimmings used at the time. I feel that they help to complete the costume as a whole.
Through my Self Directed Project I have achieved what I set out in my Learning Agreement. I expanded my knowledge of period costume, became more used to approaching things from a theatrical perspective, developed and become more confident in using making skills, refined my finishing techniques and produced a well made complete costume through working independently.