Career Building Fashion Skills

Jillian Wilson has recently completed the Certificate IV in Fashion Design and Technology with the College of Fashion Design and is delighted with her final four garments.She designed, made the patterns and constructed her range to her own measurements. She is particularly delighted with the pants shown below as she says:

I have a long torso and have always had enormous trouble getting pants not to bag around the hips. Now I can make my own pants pattern and make new ones at any time using the SITAM AB patterndrafting. Half way through the course I lost weight and changed shape in the bust after having a different gym trainer so all my early toiles were too big ! It didn't matter though because by then I had the skills to draft a new pattern block from the ground up with my new measurements and it really didn’t take long. I have learned to love my toiles!

Jillian chose a 60’s theme for her final four garments and is shown below with a ful circle taffeta skirt (which actually rustles) and her green velvet jacket. which she made from her next door neighbour’s old curtains. How is that for recycling economy.

Jillian makes costumes for various dance schools and productions and she has found how much easier it is when you can measure straight from the body and draft a new pattern with SITAM AB instead of spending hours adjusting a standard patterns

She says: The skills I have learnt in drawing, patternmaking and creative design have made the job so much easier and I am amazed at the fit for all shapes and sizes –and so much faster and I don’t burn out !

Jillian is now emabarking on another career path teaching the VET Fashion program in the secondary schools. She was a technical assistant at Dandenong High School this year and next year will be running a Certificate 11 in Fashion Design and Technology at at Mt Scopus Memorial College with a technical assistant.! She is thoroughly enjoying the joy of passing on her skills.

You too can be one of the College of Fashion Design success stories ………….