A girl’s worst nightmare is rocking up to a party in the same outfit as someone else. Avoid this with a few tips on how to give yourself a more unique look.
Sick of your regular clothes? Us too. TOAD spoke to Kristina Hamza, a fashion design tutor at the Art Workshop, about how to make your own and enhance what you already have.
What to consider before you begin?
There are a few things to consider here. Firstly, are you making clothes for yourself or somebody else? Are you planning to keep clothes making as a hobby, or take it to a business level? The difference will be in the span of techniques you will have to learn for either of these choices. If you are looking to doll yourself up, you will need to examine your personality, your lifestyle and your taste. On the other hand, if you plan to start a business, whether it be a designer boutique or a tailoring shop, you need to have in-depth knowledge of various techniques. While you may never have to apply them directly, having tailors and pattern-makers working for you, you need to know the formulas of design and dress-making when it comes to sophisticated pieces like a wedding dress, for example.
Where to get inspiration from?
The way designers approach their design process is a personalised road map. Inspiration could be found through planned research, or serendipitously.
In the main there are two ways ideas come together; a primary research where original material is collected and synthesised by the designer, and secondary research where the information has been accumulated for you to use it, such as a trend forecast in specialised fashion magazines. Personally I combine both, to keep my designs unique yet trendy and up to date.
With your designs, it’s best to work up from the basics, be sure to have a handle on simplistic designs before you launch into complicated pieces. Always start with easy designs that don’t have facings, linings, or too many details, and I recommend building a simple knowledge of sewing techniques.’
So you have your design, and are ready to begin…what now?
Get an idea of what garment type you wish to do, choose the right fabric and get started; and don’t forget to enjoy the process!
Firstly, you need to acquire your materials. Cairo textile can offer a nice variety of fabrics as well as Madinat Zayed and the area behind central market is packed with shops, suitable for high-end fashion designs. If you wish to buy a truly unique fabric for a special occasion then I would recommend Al Esayi in Abu Dhabi Mall.
A lot of people who make their own clothes today have travelled an interesting path, whether they learned the skills at school, or were taught sewing by their mothers. If you weren’t lucky enough to inherit a sewing machine and a couple of tricks from your mum, I would advise searching for some sewing magazines, which teach you the basics, provide patterns and allow you to make a simple garment. Learning to use a sewing machine isn’t easy, so I would insist on enrolling into a course, or at least self-learning with Youtube. And do not forget to read through the user-manual for safety!
Don’t make rookie mistakes
This happens when trying to plunge into sewing without knowing the basics or simple safety rules. Some people end up discouraged to continue learning after not being able to control their high-tech machines. Expectations should be kept at a reasonable level too – do not expect things to be easy and do not think you will leave your first class with a finished ready-to-wear garment.
As I have already mentioned the way designers approach their design process is a very personalised road map. Some will choose the fabric and build the theme and inspiration around it, some will sketch a drawing and then look for a fabric, there is no right or wrong method as long as you get to have a garment that you love to wear at the end.
For beginners I recommend to start with planning the design, perhaps make one fitting on calico to make sure you are going in the right direction and then purchase the fabric and all the trims.
And to embellish a garment?
In other words styling your garments, and who doesn’t? [embellish]. I believe it’s important to personalise each garment. Embroidery & embellishment are a great way to enhance a garment. You will not believe the difference a couple of beads or cross-stitch can do to your piece!
The Art Workshop is based in the National Theatre, Muroor Road.
