This is the second part for the IPOD Bag project – FINISHING THE BAG: ADDING LINING TO YOUR BAG

go to my You Tube channel to see this and other sewing and fashion drawing videos

http://youtu.be/4c-cur5Z7BA

Welt Pocket

This is a class demonstration for my Sewing Lab students at Art Center.  But it is also handy for anyone else who wants to learn how to make this kind of pocket.  You can also add a zipper to this pocket opening before you close the pocket up.

http://youtu.be/isrueSBM4ys

Watch for more videos & demos in the new year.

Tombow Pens and Waterbrush

Ok so now I am finally posting short videos of class demonstrations on You Tube. Everything from how to tie a knot for hand sewing to my latest – THE 2 MINUTE FASHION SKETCH.  This demo shows how I do these quick color sketchs with Tombow Pens and a Waterbrush…all available at most art supply stores.

follow this link to see my YouTube videos http://www.youtube.com/user/JustineLimpusParish?feature=watch

Follow this link to a video of  AN EASY HAND SEWING KNOT

http://youtu.be/IssHQO4ZWKk

Another video on HAND SEWING A HEM

http://youtu.be/6Q8o89_6j5k

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Sharpie, Tombow Pen, Waterbrush on heavy paper

Ideations are quick concept sketches used in the entertainment business.  In the fashion business they are called Croquis, or quick sketch in French.

Ideations and croquis are created either manually or digitally.  They are usually created over a body template.  It is much better to use the same pose or a straight front view pose for all the drawings.  This way you are only looking at the garment designs and are not distracted by different poses and body types. 

These ideations/croquis shown are both done using one template. 

Below are two templates that you can download to make your own ideations/croquis templates.  Note that seamlines are drawn on both templates to help with seam placement.  These body templates are only slightly elongated to make them more suitable for a patternmaker to use.

Male - FLATS - body template - lean athletic

Female - FLATS - body template - lean athletic

30 second sketch with Tombow Pen & Waterbrush

Plaids, Checks, Stripes, Herringbone, & Houndstooth…Oh My !!!!!!!!!!!

Illustrating and Designing with horizontal/vertical grid patterns can be very challenging.  Even though we are mostly saved from this by 2-D & 3-D apparel design and illustration software, it is still helpful to know how to do quick sketch versions of these textiles when roughing out ideas for clients.

Here are some helpful tips for dealing with GRID TEXTILE PATTERNS.

Dart distorts the pattern

1. These patterns run with the grain (vertically) and cross grain (horizontally) at right angles to each other. 
2. Be sure the underlying grid structure is equally spaced and remains uniform in size as it travels over the garment.
3. Darts, complex drape and seams may appear to change the design of the textile pattern.  The example shown here shows how a dart brings the two stripes together.  Even though lining up the print at seams is the sign of a well made garment, it can be a nightmare.
4. Grid patterns shown running diagonally indicate a BIAS cut to the garment pattern.  Be sure that the direction of the grid is accurate.
5. 

QUICK SKETCH METHODS

1. Draw the base grid quickly in light pencil.
2. Indicate the pattern mostly in the body area, letting it fade out as it goes away from the body. 
3. I like to use Tombow Pens and Waterbrush with Gel pens for fine light color or white detail.

1. DRAW FORM THE INSIDE OUT – Start with a body underdrawing.
2. DRAW UNDER-STRUCTURES – note the shoulder pads which extend the position of the armhole.
3. MAKE A GRID – draw horizontal and vertical lines with the gesture drawing to line up seams, lapel points, collar points, buttons, etc.
4. NO EXCESS WRINKLES-Draw as though the suit just came from the dry cleaners.  No folds that are not caused by a form.  Excess folds around the armhole just indicate bad fit.
5. ASK THE EXPERTS – Get books on formal men’s clothing to understand the traditions of proportion that are involved.  Ask a tailor how the suit should fit.  Pay attention to contemporary trends as they relate to position and width of lapels, buttons, fit around the waist.

Tombow Pens with color "cube body" underdrawing

It is difficult to switch back and forth between drawing men and drawing women and not have the drawings look androgynous.  I find the easiest way to do it is to start off by going to the opposite extreme in order to get into the mode of it and then simplify the stylization.  So to start drawing men, I have students start by drawing super hero body types….THINK POWER.

• Wide shoulders
• narrow hips
• muscular upper body
• thick neck
• square head
• more exaggerated muscle development

Quick gesture drawings from a model

I also draw in totally straight lines in order to get away from the romantic curvilinear form of drawing women.  

Focusing on CUBE drawings also helps that STRAIGHT LINE type of drawing.  Here are some class demonstrations. 

I posted these drawings to help my students in my class at Disney Consumer Products.

I am adding more menswear drawings to my new e-book due out in August – DRAWING FASHION: THE BODY