My Senior Collection

For my senior collection we were tasked with making 5 (I have 7) head to toe looks incorporating a look form the categories of outerwear, dress, separates, and avant-garde/evening. My inspiration was the 1950s. I wanted to make every piece in my collection including all the accessories. But, most importantly every look has pockets!

This is my mood board and color scheme for my collection.

We first start by making quick sketches

The top row is my dresses, then my separates, then evening, then outerwear.

We did a critique with our class and our professor to narrow down each category and make any changes. Then we compile our favorite looks and make a final color sketch.

These are my final sketches though changes were made as I constructed the pieces and put everything together.

Look #1

My first piece was the red/orange dress. I changed the shaping on the front of the dress from my sketch to a more round shape and added pockets. This dress has 3/4 raglan sleeves, a peter pan collar, and full circle skirt. The created the detail on the front by creating a round seam around the bust and white piping. I carried the piping down through the shaped pockets in the skirt. I finished of the skirt with 2" horsehair to give it a full shape.

This fabric is a quilt cotton from Robert Kaufman purchased at Fabric Place Basement.

To finish of the look I made a string of double pearls and made a secrets clutch by Charms Patterns.

Look #2

My next look I call my atomic star dress. I designed this dress to play with color blocking. The front has a shaped star cutout, and the full circle skirt has panels at the center front and center back. This dress dress a boat neckline and side seam pockets.

I liked using the same fabric in different color variations. The fabric is from Michael Miller and was purchased at the Fabric Place Basement.

I made the belt and matching circle bag from the Sallie Tomato circle bag pattern. The black faux leather is also from Sallie Tomato. I decided not to use the pearls for the final look even though they are on the dress form.

Look #3

This look turned out to be one of my favorites. I also plan to make this as my first pattern so be on the look out. This look was added when I was 2 weeks away from turn-in. Once I had all of my other pieces almost finished and lined up, I felt I was missing something. I think this look helped bridge all my other colors and patterns together. The top has a V-neck and gathering at the bust dart. I cut the pieces on the bias to get the stripes to also create the V shape. The skirt is an A-line with chevron shaped welt pockets. I added a narrow horse hair at the hem to help keep the shape.

The fabric for the top is a quilt cotton from Hobby Lobby. The fabric for the skirt is a stiff satin that was gifted to me, I used Kona quilt cotton for the pocket.

For this look I crocheted a clutch bag. I also made a bracelet from an atomic star charm.

Look #4

This look incorporates a quilt block. I used the shooting star quilt block by Jen Kingwell. I made this into a top by using 1 full size block on the front and the back. I then draped a piece at the sides between the blocks. There is a zipper in the back where the side panel meets the back quilt block. I switched the skirt away from this look like in my sketch when added the previous look. I then added a classic pedal pusher pant.

The top is made from 5 different colors of Kona quilt cotton. The pants are made from a knit that was gifted to me.

I made a tote bag out of the quilt block but changed the color combination. Originally I used the orange for the straps and accent around the block, I ended up not liking the way it looked. So I took it apart and used black instead. This allowed the block to pop and was less overwhelming as part of the look. I also made a bracelet out of atomic star charms.

Look #5

This was my evening look. I made this look for a specific person so the dress does not quite fit the dress form properly. Also due to some unforeseen circumstances the intended could not model my look. I did have to make some adjustments and take the dress in to fit the model so it does not fit like I intended.

This look has an overlay using chiffon, side seam pockets, and a gathered skirt. I used two layers to make the skirt so that it was stiff and held its shape.

The fabric is taffeta from Fabric Place Basement and swisss dot chiffon from Joann Fabrics.

This look had the most accessories. First I made a double strand of pearls. I made a clutch bag with fabric that I printed myself, using a variation of my logo. Last I made the tiara by gluing filigree charms to a crown base. I then painted it to look antique gold. Then I added some cream flower beads and finished it with a row of pearls.

Look #6

My last model look is my coat and matching dress. The coat is a swing coat with raglan sleeves, side seam pockets, a shaped collar, and matching lining to the dress. The dress is a princess line with a boat neck. I added a faux leather panel in the front. This panel shape was from an exercise we did that used shapes we found to create new images. My image came from the chair leg from a mid century modern chair.

The wool is from Nick of Time Textiles. The faux leather is from Sallie Tomato. The lining and dress is cotton gingham from Fabric Place Basement.

For this look I made a matching hat from a pattern by Elsewhen. I made the bag from the Laney Jane pattern from Emmaline Bags.

Look #7

This last look was for me! I made this pattern as a recreating from a 1950s dress picture I found. More about this in my sewing plans post. This is a princess line dress that has straps connecting the front to the back. The skirt has 4 yards of gathered fabric and of course side seam pockets. I am wearing 2 petticoats to give it the nice full shape.

The fabric is a quilt cotton form Ruby Star Society bought from Hawthorne Supply Company.

I made a secrets clutch from Charms Patterns from the taffeta used in look 5 but decided not to carry it on the runway.

Here are all the looks lined up together.

Thanks for reading and let me know which is your favorite.