Journal
On this page, I will go into detail about my weekly progression and how I was feeling during this time.
Week commencing
10/02/2025
UNIVERSITY
During this week i had the first lecture on "Positioning practice" where I was given an insight into what I would need to do for this module.
I was also working on my graduate collection during this time.
I was working on my toile and pattern for "The Starlet" which is a garment within my collection. I had a toile review this week where I presented this garment to Heather and she gave me some feedback on the neckline - which I agreed with, so I went back to the drawing board recut the bodice to fit the vision I have for this design.
I also presented an idea I had for a backwards blazer, which to be honest I was not the biggest fan of due to how boring the front looked in comparison to the lapel on the center back, it needed more drama in the front so I decided to place this pattern to the side for now and rework the bodice on "The Starlet"
PERSONAL
This week I wasn't feeling the best, and to be honest it has become a pattern while being in Plymouth, I don't think I really thought about how hard I would find joining a final year class and it has been incredibly tough on my mental health, I have found myself loosing my appetite and honestly struggling a lot with consist feelings of being alone - I think after going home for Christmas it became more apparent how much I am struggling.
Week commencing
17/02/2025
UNIVERSITY
The lecture this week was all about how to write a positioning statement, which gave me a good insight into how to write a good statement and ways in which could write it to sell myself.
After figuring out the amendments for the bodice, on "The Starlet", I re-toiled my pattern and was incredibly happy with the outcome I was able to achieve and was fully happy with this toile. After presenting the new bodice I was given the go ahead for final production on this garment.
I also started to cut the pattern for a conical bust dress that would be used for "The Editor" another garment within my collection.
PERSONAL
During this time I was not feeling great at all and i started to feel trapped within the four walls of my accommodation, so I called my friends back home and they suggested trying to get some fresh air by going on walks around Plymouth when I was feeling trapped.
So I started to go on frequent walks around Plymouth Hoe, and honestly it started to make me feel a lot better. My appetite started to come back and I was feeling better by the end of the week.
Week commencing
24/02/25
UNIVERSITY
There wasn't a lecture this week but the lecturers set a task on creating a social media strategy and information on how the use of social media can be very beneficial.
the information pack given gave me a good insight into how different social media sites could help benefit me when it comes to showcasing myself online.
I started writing a rough draft for my positioning statement, which I was happy with but was definitely looking forward to getting some feedback on it.
I re-looked at the ideas I had for the backwards blazer and thought it could be cool to try and incorporate the conical bust into this garment also with having the cones peak through holes within the front of the blazer, this would give me the drama I am looking for.
PERSONAL
I was feeling slightly better this week, primarily as I was distracting myself with all of my university work.
I continued to go on walks around Plymouth and ensure that I was taking care of myself. My appetite was still bad but I had began eating slightly.
Week commencing
03/03/2025
UNIVERISITY
This week was "Your Creative Future" week at university which gave us the opportunity to attend various lectures that would help when it comes to employability skills.
During this week I attended two different lectures; "Creating a digital portfolio with impact " held by Emily Watkins and "Transferrable skills for professional success" with Chris Slesser Creative UK, Ross Middleham Met Office and Student Union Manager Harriet Moore.
I found both of these lecturers incredibly engaging and gave me a good set of useful skills that I will take into account when it comes to me creating my portfolio and trying to gain professional sucess.
I toiled my pattern for my backwards blazer this weekend and was incredibly happy with the final result that I had been able to create, it was the perfect vision I had for "The Assistant". and I was happy with the result it had with the conical dress underneath.
I also started a pattern for a "shirt skirt", which would be for "The Editor" and also paired with a conical dress.
PERSONAL
I was feeling good this week, the feelings of loneliness had began to subside and I was feeling a lot better within myself.
I continued to explore Plymouth on walks which I found was helping incredibly when it came to my mental health.
Week commencing
10/03/2025
UNIVERISITY
The lecture this week was based on portfolio, CVs and covering letters.
I learnt that someone can make a decision in 7.4 seconds on whether they think you are suitable for the role you are applying for.
Tasked with creating a top trump card that would showcase all my top strengths and skills that I have been able to gain during my years at university.
Next week I had a formative review where I would need to present my CV, covering letter, top trump card and submit my positioning statement for review.
This week I finalised my toile for the "shirt skirt" and was incredibly happy with the final outcome I was about to get. I just needed to figure out how to place a collar on it, I flicked through some pattern cutting books and figured a mandarin stand would be my best option for when it came to creating the collar for this skirt.
I had another toile review where I present the final three garments I would create for my collection, I was given slight changes to make but other than those I was given the all clear to go through to final production with my collection
PERSONAL
This week I was started to feel lonely again, so I called up my friends and family who were able to bring me back down to Earth and help me step off of the metaphorical ledge I felt I was standing on.
Week commencing
17/03/2025
UNIVERSITY
I had my formative review this week where I presented my CV, covering letter, top trump card. To which I was given positive feedback on.
I started final production on both of my conical bust dresses.
I was able to finish one of the conical bust dresses this week and began the production on the second
PERSONAL
This week I was feeling a bit down in the dumps but nothing to major. I was keeping up with my walks and had family checking in on me to see if I was okay, which I think was helping me feel less alone.
Week commencing
24/03/2025
UNIVERSITY
The lecture this week was based on networking and opportunities.
During this week I was able finish my second conical bust dress and began production on "The Starlet".
I was able to fully complete the dress portion of "The Starlet" but after seeing the final design, I was no longer a fan of the band idea I had played with during the toile stage and decided to go for a different approach when it came to this idea.
PERSONAL
This week I was beginning to not feel great and was being to struggle with feelings of loneliness again. I began to distract myself by listening to music and getting stuck into my digital work.
Week commencing
31/03/2025
UNIVERSITY
The lecture this week gave me an insight into how to price the work I create.
To price my work I should look at the cost it takes to make the garment which is can be figure out via the cost of fabric, trimmings/closures and any detailing as well as cost of labour, shipping and manufactures profit taking into account of how many hours are spent on the production.
I also got an insight into the different pros and cons when it comes to freelance and employed work.
I figured out the best way to incorporate the bands onto "The Starlet", after days of contemplating where to put them, and finished this garment.
I began production on the "Shirt Skirt"
PERSONAL
During this week I was not feeling good at all, my mental health had taken a complete toll and I found myself overcome with the feeling of being alone and honestly just wanted to go home. The loneliness made me feel crap about myself and really effect my appetite with it becoming non-existent
I suppose there was a silver lining as I was going home next week for easter where I would be able to see the people I had been longing to see.
Week commencing
07/04/2025
UNIVERSITY
This week the lecture was on IP and was tasked to complete the IP course on the gov.uk website.
I had a project review this week, where I presented the entire line up of my garments for my final collection and the current point I was at to gain feedback. The feedback I got from this review was very positive, which I was pleased with!
I continued production on the shirt skirt this week, where a spanner was thrown in the works due to the type of interfacing I decided to use as it was far to stiff or what I was wanting - which mean't I needed to recut the entire garment again.
PERSONAL
I came home this week and honestly I had not felt better in months. I felt as if I was able to breathe again, I met up with some friends for a few drinks and we catched up on things that had been happening over the past few months.
Week commencing
14/04/2025
UNIVERSITY
(EASTER HOLIDAYS)
I started production on the "shirt skirt" once again and worked on all my digital stuff this week.
PERSONAL
I was feeling really good this week, the feelings of loneliness had completely subsided due to being able to see friends and family. I was continuing to work my part time job,
Week commencing
21/04/2025
UNIVERSITY
(EASTER HOLIDAYS)
I took a pause on the shirt skirt this week due to not being able to find the correct interfacing I needed, after ordering another batch on line and it still not being correct I thought I would just wait until I return to university where I knew they had the correct interfacing I needed within the shop.
I began production on my tailored skirt and continued to work on my digital files.
PERSONAL
This week I was feeling good, I was still home and the feeling great due to actually living with people and not just being stuck in the four walls of my accommodation. Although I was terrified of returning to Plymouth incase all those feelings would come flooding back but with reassurance from friend and family, they said I would be fine.
Week commencing
28/04/2025
UNIVERSITY
The lecture this week was on what we need to do for our final assessment and how we submit it. To submit the final assessment we need to create a website that is reachable via a linktree. the lecture gave me a good understand of how to create a linktree as well as how to use it.
this week we had a portfolio draft review where we had to present it to the class, and I was terrified. I was happy with the portfolio I had created but I know there was definitely room for improvement. I was pleased with the feedback given and will be implementing it into my portfolio.
I continued production on my "shirt skirt" after being able purchase the correct interfacing needed for the design to look good and work the way I want too. I installed the facing and lining not my garment and just needed to sew in the collar - which I was procrastinating due to the complexity of it.
I started the final production on my backwards blazer this week also while I placed the shirt skirt to one side.
I did a photoshoot this week as well for three of my garments; "The Rival", "The Muse" and "The Starlet". I used cove studio for my shoot and use my friend Millie as the model. Millie was the perfect model and showcased the vision of the garments perfectly.
PERSONAL
I was feeling a lot better than I thought I would feel when it came to my mental health, the feelings of loneliness had yet to creep back into my life and I was still riding the high of being home and actually living with people.
Week commencing
05/05/2025
UNIVERSITY
This week I was in full production mode, I finished my backwards blazer and was incredibly pleased with my final result. I went back to the "shirt skirt" and tried multiple times to figure out how to get this collar in without it messing up all the hard work I had already put in to it.
I continued to work on my digital work and make amendments to my portfolio.
PERSONAL
this week I was beginning to feel those dreaded feelings of loneliness and had lost my appetite once again but I reached out to friends for help and they insisted everything will be fine, I began to continue my walks to help combat the feeling of being stuck in my accomodation.
Week commencing
12/04/2025
UNIVERSITY
This week I did all of the final touches to my collection and finalised all of my garments. I finished up all the technical work I needed to finish and began to finalise my "Positioning practice" work so it was all ready to be submitted next week.
PERSONAL
This week I am feeling okay, the end is in sight and I am going to finally be able to breathe with all my work being near enough complete.