Learning Agreement

For the Self Directed Project (SDP) unit I have chosen the Costume Store Project as this will involve using existing patterns to create a range of garments for the university’s own costume hire store. It is aimed to run as a professional workroom environment where as a group we will follow set instructions to improve and perfect our sewing skills.

I have chosen to study this pathway, as I am interested in following a career in theatre. In the past I have been fortunate to gain work experience in this area but I still feel there is a lot to learn. With this particular project simulating a professional workroom will give me a greater insight into this industry and hopefully prepare me for working in similar conditions. As a group we will be given various patterns and be expected to overcome problem solving both together and individually. Although there will be guidance from a tutor, we are responsible for our own time management to ensure the garments are made. For this reason I will have to plan my time carefully with realistic goals if I am to meet all deadlines. This will encourage myself to work quicker but the whole while checking each stage is constructed correctly to avoid any mistakes that will waste time and push me back. I hope this project will boost confidence in my sewing ability so that in the future I can overcome tasks whilst coping with the pressure of strict time frames.

From our previous CIC unit I was given the design of ‘The Conductor’ for the county Somerset in the Battle for the Winds Olympic opening ceremonies, Weymouth. I was unable to finish lining my jacket so I am using the first two weeks of SDP to complete this, giving me extra time to ensure all my finishing’s are correct and neatly done as well as any other jobs that need doing. My particular jacket’s double breasted including a box pleat and facing and are areas I want to focus on in order to gain the best finish.

I will be involved in constructing costumes for the store however another part to this is to also be involved within the Breathe project. Breathe is also a part of the Olympic ceremonies in Weymouth where a large cast will take part in the finale. This cast brings together different dance groups to create ‘the breathers’ who are aged 12-50 years old and are disabled, non-disabled or suffer learning difficulties.

The ‘Breathers’ are characters made up of washed up debris and who live as part of the beach. They will be split up into six different character groups such as the elders, jesters, navigators, teenage rebels etc. Everyone will wear the same base costume where further garments are to be added over the top. This is because each character group will have a distinguishing garment/ piece to separate them, for example the teenage rebels will all wear Mohawk headdresses. As a group we will help create these costumes both at uni and in evening classes. The evening classes will require us teaching volunteers in constructing sections of the costumes. This is intended to be a community project as it is open to locals but also the breathers themselves, meaning some of the artists will have the opportunity in making their own costumes.

At the end of this unit I will have completed my costume from CIC and produced two further garments towards the university’s costume store. This will include either a men’s waistcoat or breeches and a women’s blouse. For the Breathe project I will also have helped in completing the breathers base costumes as well as creating various parts of garments during my own uni time and at the evening classes. Once everything is finished I will then have a strong body of work that can be used within my professional portfolio.