MA in Textile Design - a mature student's journey

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.

So tomorrow is hand in day for the second part of the MA. I'm in Uni sorting out my display and finishing off sketchbook work. I thought the MA room would be busy, but there's only me and World in. (World is a Fashion design student from Thailand). Below are some of the photos. I think I need to get a better camera because the photos make the prints look washed out. I hope I've done enough, I'm not far off Distinction marks.....