MA in Textile Design - a mature student's journey

As student liaison officer for BCU I emailed my fellow students after the course had finished to get their honest feedback without fear of their marks being affected (silly I know, but you do think about it). We did feedback electronically a few months ago, but a lot happened in the last few months too. The point made may have been expanded on to ensure the reader had a better understanding.  Lectures starting late, either because of technical issues or lecturers arriving late. No need to walk to Margaret Street (15-20 minute walk from Parkside campus) – although I understand there maybe an issue with space at Parkside someone commented that walking to Margaret Street took out an afternoon and on reflection at the end of the course this was time wasted. Not being able to use studio space due to BA timetabling. We had Friday allocated to us, not great if you are working or unable to attend on Fridays. Not being offered to share demonstrations of how things work in the stud...

Well, I'm all done. I now have an MA in Textile Design from Birmingham City University . My final grade was a commendation - one above merit and one below a distinction. The fashion show was on the 13th July, and my husband, brother and sister in law and their youngest Ruben and my best friend Leonie came to it. I had five pieces on the catwalk and I walked it too.  The rehearsals were a bit uncoordinated but then with so many people involved it was a bit like herding cats!  This is me. The last few weeks were a blur, but here are some highlights: The external examiner, Dr Kate Wells, from Derby University came along to make sure our marks are representative of the work produced. She gave me some relevant and inspiring feedback. There is a market for my work I need to go hi-end I need to have a USP of perhaps unique fabrics e.g. bamboo, hemp, organic in production So now its research, research and more research. Below is Renee.  To the...

Hand in was last week, 4th July. It was a bit anti-climactic if I'm honest. I thought there might be some fizz in the vicinity, but no, not a bad thing really because I was teaching in the evening. Went to the Uni bar with a fellow MA student, and had a pint of lime and soda, oh how times have changed! Today, I was at Uni setting up my static show, see below. I've kept it simple, some hooks to display my clothes and two dummies. There are only 8 of us displaying work though, I think it would've looked a lot better if all students were made to display, but I guess its either the fashion show or the static show for most people, for me I'm doing both. The fashion show is on Thursday, rehearsals are tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday. The more we practice, the better the show on the night. We have external examiners tomorrow and my final Viva is next Tuesday and that will be it, eek!

This is what I've been working on: New spandex Athleisure long leg pants for Yoga or Pilates. I opened my studio for Warwickshire Open Studios - response has been great, lots of visitors and positive feedback on my work. Having photos taken of my clothes - sorting out a look book and getting my arse into gear for the Fashion Show! And finally working on my logo. One week until hand in!

On Tuesday, after getting drenched in the rain whilst walking the dog in the morning, I went down to London on the train. The main reason for going down was to listen to Trend Prediction expert Li Edelkoort , but before the talk I went to the V&A for their Balenciaga 'Shaping Fashion' exhibition. The clothes were just beautiful, words just can't describe how awe inspiring his clothes were/are still. I know I could never afford couture, unless I win the lottery, but it really shows how well made garments using quality fabrics can last a life time and be worn again and again. Anyway, Li Edelkoort excelled again, talking about what we will be wearing A/W 2017 and 2018 - I suppose it depends how quickly manufacturers can respond to fashion changes. Not all the clothes below and Balenciaga - some are designers who have been influenced by the great man himself. I also helped out at Leamington College on Monday - they have three weeks until their fa...

So this week its half term for schools and I've taken the week off from teaching all my fitness classes so I can concentrate on my MA and really make a dent in printing and sewing my designs for the final fashion show. Deadline is 4th July - 5 weeks today! Below are some pictures of some of the prints done and trousers made. I'm in early today to try and fit my trousers, hopefully to me. Last week I started on my MA report which we have to write as part of the course, 2500 words on our MA experience related back to our personal statement. Right, time to go, just got to drink my coffee first!

Today I was back at Leamington College. The Fashion and Textiles department was buzzing because some of the students were getting hair and make-up done for the photoshoot which promotes the end of year Fashion show. After they went to Moreton Morrell to take the photos the rest of the students got their heads down to start or continue their clothes for the end of year. I tried to talk to the students who were behind in their work to chivvy them along. This sometimes takes some doing. There's a lack of inventiveness which I think can be attributed to social media. These kids are too afraid to experiment. Do they think everything should be perfect the first time? Anyway, here are some pictures of the make-up and a glimpse of the dresses .

Eek, so this week we had a lecture/meeting on the last portfolio for our MA. Here's a timetable: Work hand in - 4 July Fashion Show - 13 July All done and dusted by the 21 July where we will see the external examiner and have our final Viva. So this week, I've been working on new designs in the print room and I'm really excited about the outcome. I've also been working on deciding which 6/8 designs I'm going to use to have in the fashion and the static show. I think I'm going to make 6 and then take the two best from that and have them in the static show. I almost wish I was doing another year, but if I do then I know I'll just fanny around a bit so having a deadline will kick my arse into gear.

So, today at Uni we met with the external examiner for the MA course, who had come from Derby Uni to oversee the work/marks of the students. We all (well those who showed up and those who hadn't been signed in as being here by another student but are actually still on holiday!) had a group chat with her about the course and then if chosen we went in for a 121 chat with her. I was asked to go back and have a chat with her. It was quite encouraging, talking through my work with someone not connected to the Uni and someone new to my work. I definitely need to work on this - be a bit more upbeat and have a patter. After that I continued to work on updating my Etsy site - I spent most of the day yesterday taking photos. Here are a few:

So after the Easter break I was back at Uni today for the second Viva. It's weird, only 10 minutes, but I'm sure going on Dragon's Den would be easier. I think the thing that's so confusing is that there's no direct feedback on your work. They (three lecturers) don't say one way or the other what is right or wrong. So basically, and I know that this is a problem, I try and do too many things.  I need to concentrate on one thing and do it well. But, and this is my problem, what if that one thing is wrong and it won't make me any money. At the end of the day, I need to make a living and I think that's always in the back of my mind. I took away the fact that I need to realise the value in a textile design. I need to concentrate on one thing - will that be designs for a swimwear collection or an athleisure range I need to go back to my sketchbooks and work my work Steps I need to take now: Work more on Illustrator and Photoshop to work my wo...

Over Easter we went camping to Upper Lyme, just outside of Lyme Regis. My husband struck gold with the campsite called Hook Farm. Friendly, affordable, big pitches and near a riverside walk that takes you all the way into Lyme Regis.  We also went to Forde Abbey and Mapperton, both in the Historic Houses Association which we are members of. Unfortunately because both houses house historic tapestries and works of art you can't take photos inside, but I went a bit snap happy in the grounds, loads of flowers in bloom to capture and hopefully use in designs. Benji was super tired after all his travels and I can't resist taking a photo of him, after all he is my fur baby There's no Uni this week so today I was in my studio cutting up material to make into my side tie pants that sell on Etsy. More of the same tomorrow.