Fashioning fabrics: ruffles, flounces, pleats and tucks

Develop fabric manipulation techniques to add volume, structure and drama using ruffles and flounces, pleating, tucks and gathering. Sculpt surfaces for fashion/costume detailing or create your own textile surfaces. Sewing skills required.

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Key course information

Dates
26/02/12 - 18/03/12

Day(s)
Sun

Duration
4 weeks

Time
10:30 - 16:30

Fees
Full fee: £194^NC

Venue
KS - Keeley Street

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Course code
VX126

Availability
This course has finished

^NC: No concessionary fees available as there is no government funding for this course.

This course has finished

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Still got questions?
visualarts@citylit.ac.uk or call 020 7492 2700

Course outline

What is the course about?

This course aims to equip you with specialist techniques for creating surface texture, shape and volume using varied material qualities. These methods are traditionally associated with clothing and costume detail, and will be given a contemporary twist with reference to cutting edge fashion and sculptural textiles.

There will be practical demonstrations using gathering, pleating and tucking techniques, combining decorative and structural materials. You will learn these basic methods and adapt them to your personal interests and skill level.

What topics will we cover?

You will be introduced to a range of historical and contemporary examples and encouraged to explore starting points for approaches to designing and making garment details or sculpted surfaces. You will be encouraged to gather visual references to inform your use of colour and structure, building inspiration from related or unusual sources.

Each session will be mainly hands on with technical demonstrations and opportunities to develop your own samples. Stitched textile methods will give you a range of structural and decorative possibilities that can be incorporated into your designs.

You will then design and make a piece using a selected combination of methods learned during the course.

By the end of this course you should be able to:

By the end of this course you should be able to:
- Develop textile techniques such as pleats, tucks, ruffles and flounces
- Research and gather design inspiration from a range of sources
- Use this to produce ideas and samples for a structured textile or garment detail
- Create your own fashioned fabric piece using combined techniques.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This course is for people with experience in machine stitch who want to develop specialist skills to enhance their fashion/costume making or textile methods. If you have skills but little design experience you will be able to explore ways to research and develop methods to inspire your making.

For people with a fashion or clothing interest, this course could provide starting points for original garment details or ways to customize or recycle old clothing. Within the framework of each session, you will be encouraged to be individual in your approach.

You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion. You should be able to make basic measurements and calculations.

Please look at the rest of the course outline carefully to decide if you may benefit from support in your English and Maths skills to help you to take part fully in this class.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

The course will be mainly practical, with a focus for each session and samples to get you thinking imaginatively.
We will start with a visual presentation outlining areas for research and examples of contemporary practice, followed by examples of drawing and collage to capture ideas, and ways of continuing this in your own time. The use of a sketchbook to record your thoughts and develop your work will be encouraged.

Material qualities will be discussed and possibilities for using recycled materials for you to source between sessions.
Stitch and construction techniques will be demonstrated with opportunities for individual experimentation and further suggestions based on individual interest.

The final session will bring all these aspects together into a simple piece.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

A selection of fabrics will be available for you to try, with pieces for sale.
You will need to bring the following:
· Sketchbook/notebook, pen, pencil
· Scissors, glue stick, sewing kit, machine threads
· You will need to source your own more special fabrics or recycled materials to suit personal preferences. This will be discussed in class. Basic materials are provided.

Do I need to have an interview before I can enrol?

No.

What feedback will I get?

You will receive regular feedback from your tutor throughout the course, as and when appropriate. At the end of the course you and your tutor are asked to assess the progress you have made.

How will I be able to give my views on the course?

Please complete the evaluation form at the end of your course. These are monitored and help us to continually improve our courses.

How do I find out if I can get some support for my learning?

You may be interested in: education and careers advice; financial and childcare support; disability support; support for Deaf and hearing-impaired students; dyslexia support; English and maths support; counselling, and library services (supported learning centre). To find out what may be available to you, and how to apply, see page 213 of the 11/12 course guide, or visit www.citylit.ac.uk/students

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Information and Advice Shop, open Monday to Friday 12:00 – 19:00 during term time, and Monday to Friday 12:00 – 17:00 out of term time. See the course guide for term dates and further details.

Who can I contact for further information?

Tel: 020 7492 2700

visualarts@citylit.ac.uk

Please email us for advice or call us during these times:

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays - 9.00 -12.00 & 15:00-18:00

Thursdays - 9.00-12.00

Saturdays - 14.00-17.00

To enrol on a course, call 020 7831 7831.

Contact us

Visual arts

Tel: 020 7492 2700

visualarts@citylit.ac.uk

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