A.P.

For my first project in YOUNG DESIGNERS I will be transforming this sweater into a vest.

I'm really not sure if this will be a nice vest but the sleeves have holes in them and therefore are unusable.

I will start by removing the sleeves and turtleneck (because no one will ever look good in a turtleneck vest) and using a part of the sleeve as a pocket to cover up a stain on the left side of the chest that looks like there used to be a logo there.

Amelia+ Grandpa Sweaters= LOVE

Today we were all called into the textiles room and it was like St Peter had let me in the Pearly Gates into Grandpa-Sweater-Heaven! I am a life long fan of the Grandpa Sweater and I immediately adopted one for my project (and the sweater shown below, for my personal use)

 

I got the inspiration for my project from a picture I saw on Pinterest. My idea is to use the sleeves of the sweater and another fabric to make a long sleeved shirt with a flowing bodice. The sweater I've chosen for my project is below:

I have a few options for my other fabric but I'm not entirely sure which one I'll use.

Playsuit the Jumpsuit

Up Styling.

 My plan is to change this piece of junk into something
I can wear this summer.











I plan to get rid of these terrible sleeves and make it into a racer shape.
I'm taking up the legs for the mini shorts to be more "2013" and not "1950"
I also want to add a lace like collar, change the colour of the buttons
and add a belt hopefully out of the same material as the collar!



The Up-Cycling Has Begun

I was inspired by the picture below which I found on Pinterest.

I have selected a dress to create something similar to the picture above. 

My goal is to create two dresses that I'm comfortable wearing in public. To achieve this goal hemming, sewing and cutting is required.

  

The Stage is Set

Fashion Parade

Last term the young designers held a fashion parade. They created new outfits out of recycled clothing from the local lifeline store. Over a few weeks they planned a fashion parade and asked some students from the school to model the outfits for them. A catwalk was decorated and a band Dudley and Cho from Big hART performed some music for the show. 

I was one of the models selected for the event. Each model was given a different clothing look to wear, mine was street wear. I wore a caramel ribbed jumper, a denim vest, black ripped jeans, and a cream scarf. We lined up behind the stage and when it was our turn to go we were escorted down the catwalk by Isaac. As a thankyou each model was given a flower.

Launching Lunch

It began with an idea to showcase an up and coming artist residency to the students in which they could be involved with.

After securing the sum of $50 we secured, from a very generous local thrift shop manager, four bags of textiles. Those garments and accessories where to be curated into a fashion parade using only the thrifted articles.

A couple of students got together and layered and arranged the garments until an amazing amount of outfits were formed. The collection had a modern hipster feel about it and it was hard not to be incredibly impressed by the outcomes considering there was no sewing involved. A big thankyou to Kiarah and Teleah for all their hard work and to the models who were so great in their performance.

With the vision of the parade geared to creating a unique Tasmanian look the students sewed some lace bunting cut from a curtain to decorate the cat walk and a quick tablecloth transformation made up another garment to be added to the collection (go Teleah!)*

A great local duo, The Dudley Night Shades, were arranged by the lovely Ellen to perform for us on the day.

Now imagine this at your local high school: It's lunch time, the sun is shining and is warm on this beautiful winters day. A runway is set up in your local quadrangle decorated with pillars - bunting and hessian, objects made by the MDT class are set up on display. A band rocks out some great songs, you eat pizza arranged by the SEC, you watch an exciting fashion parade organised by your besties, then finish off with some more great tunes before you head back to your class.

This actually happened and it was amazing. It was a fantastic experience and something everyone involved in should be proud of.

*NB The table cloth top refashion was quickly gobbled up by one of the band members and she plans to add it to her already awesome wardrobe.

And so it begins...

Who? 

The Young Designers are a group of students from Wynyard High and one artist in resident Michelle Walker.

Where?

Located in Regional North West Tasmania.

Why?

An artist in residencey grant allows this unique project in which students will source second hand textiles and recycle - upcyle and transform the article in to something new exciting and once again worthwhile. 

What?

Outcomes may include but not limited to: Fashion parades, competitions, marketing, branding, market stalls, business experience, IT skills, design skills, sewing, printing, dying, and weaving.

We would love for you to experience this very exciting project with us along the way and  therefore we will be blogging here the designs as they happen.

Please feel free to comment and interact with the project. We would love hearing from you.