I've been doing a ton of sewing - most excitingly, a jacket. EDIT: the material, for anyone interested, is canvas. It's based off this jacket pattern I had lying around, but once I started sewing I realized I didn't actually like the pattern much. Made a lot of changes, mostly to fit. Also, added a little military-style waistband in the back. Back: Closeup of the collar/dat sweet tag: I've also been trying to get rid of the four grocery bags that are currently filled with fabric scraps on top of my dryer. I've decided to make a fuck ton of stuffed animals, and find some place to give them away.
Friends of mine had an amazing clothing company called Lastwear. They had the steampunk ethos, but heavy experience in traditional Japanese design and pattern drafting experience. So their designs were amazing. Sadly, they closed down several years ago. But they released all their patterns into the wild so industrious types could make their own Lastwear clothing. You should check out the Pinkerton vest. It is AMAZING, and would look GREAT on you. They also did a YouTube tutorial for how to make their things.
All your crafty stuff is awesome. The jacket looks great. It also reminds me I waxed my previously water-absorbent rain jacket. It worked out pretty well but I need to make another pass at it to get it even. The wax coating also makes it feel so cold. Ever try waxing anything?
What are you thoughts on fashion school? Do you consider a future where you pursue fashion design professionally? I'm not saying this because I know that you're amazing, though I do think that. But my friend is finishing up her degree and she's talented. She's choosing between getting snatched up by Vans or Nike.
Of the few things I would go back to school for, fashion isn't one of them. I've met three people in Portland who went to fashion school - they were all working food service with me. There's a lot of stuff I'd still like to learn before I'm comfortable selling clothes (I'm hoping it will be this coming fall, have lots of free time this summer to make stock), but I feel like a classroom setting isn't necessarily the best place to do that for me. YouTube has been working wonders. As with many degrees, I know it works for some people, and opens up a lot of doors connection-wise, it's just not for me.
As someone with an actual degree in Fashion Design, the only reason for the degree is if you really want to run the production floor for a US brand like Tommy Bahama or Cutter & Buck. Oh, and by the way, there are thousands of people trying to get the 10 paying jobs in US fashion design. The real way to win is to make something great - no matter your skill level - and social media the shit out of it. Maybe some people will buy it bespoke from you, and maybe some company will buy your pattern from you (and bar you from ever making it again, in a non-compete agreement). But the only people making money in clothing are the middlemen that sell it.
Fair point. School is just one avenue. Best of luck. And let me know when I buy fly shirts from you.