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Graduated from Modevakopleiding!
Jul. 9th, 2016 02:34 pmYesterday was the big day of the graduation ceremony. We traveled to Arnhem in a car filled with mannequins and some final assignments that I had taken home with me (most were left at school, saving me the trouble of dragging heavy items of clothing to the car and back). The classrooms were transformed into an exhibition space where exam candidates could show off their work.
I had a spot in the souterrain, where I'd also had the practical exam. Here's a phone-cam panorama of my corner, but you can view all the exposition photos in the album on Flickr. (The pictures of the ceremony are not public, since I'm not sure my classmates want their faces published online.)
I had brought my own mannequins so there'd be enough of the school mannequins for everyone. Only my winter coat is on one sort of near my size. The grey blazer is on a tiny mannequin, dialed to its maximum size, but she's pretty boobless. The shirt and pink blouse are on female mannequins, but neither fill them out in the right way. We're just too big for this world.
On the table are two pairs of trousers: the pieced one for Eisirt on the right, and the black and white one is from last year. I'd also made little signs showing pictures from behind the scenes and telling something about myself.
Once everything was set up and the car parked, we walked into town. First visit was to Recht & Averecht, a yarn vendor who has recently opened up a pop-up store. I really splurged on some purple silk & merino Manos del Uruguay, and also picked up two skeins of Malabrigo. Eisirt was given coffee and a seat while I debated knitting a sweater from the silk fino (decided against it, as the yardage I need will break my budget!) with the proprietor Marijke.
Then we went on to another yarn store to pick up two more skeins of a yarn I'd bought during the exams so I can knit a shawl for my mom. Eisirt whipped out his debit card, because there were two sock yarns I'd picked out for him as well.
Then we continued shopping. I bought a pair of Ecco's for daily use, and we shopped at the outdoor shop Bever. I didn't get new outdoor shoes though, as I keep sliding forward in everything they try on me. I think it might be the support soles that are too slippery under my feet.
We sauntered with all our purchases towards the car to change, my knees protesting about the long day on my feet. At five, we were ensconced at the Turkish restaurant I wanted to try. Eisirt's parents and my mom and Luc soon joined us at the round table.
We drank fresh mint tea with honey, ate a variety of wonderful turkish delicious food, and I was spoiled rotten by all my proud parents. Flowers, alcohol-free champagne, a gift of money and a pair of Real Seamstress Scissors (second-hand, but lovingly sharpened by Luc's father a few months ago).
We were aglow when we returned to the café next to school for the graduation ceremony. The first- and second-years got their certificates and then the third-years were honoured. José made a speech about each class and then about each student.
I am always amazed at the work people do -- this school is always done next to work and family life, requiring quite a sacrifice and work ethic. And despite everything, we all passed and learned and enjoyed our time in school.
After the ceremony, we looked at the exhibit and toasted to a successful end of my school career. I'm now a certified seamstress!
It would be really weird if this night would be the end. But it's not! I get to go to school for another year, studying more intricate ways of adjusting a pattern, of wadding and padding and drafting and draping and fun!
I had a spot in the souterrain, where I'd also had the practical exam. Here's a phone-cam panorama of my corner, but you can view all the exposition photos in the album on Flickr. (The pictures of the ceremony are not public, since I'm not sure my classmates want their faces published online.)
I had brought my own mannequins so there'd be enough of the school mannequins for everyone. Only my winter coat is on one sort of near my size. The grey blazer is on a tiny mannequin, dialed to its maximum size, but she's pretty boobless. The shirt and pink blouse are on female mannequins, but neither fill them out in the right way. We're just too big for this world.
On the table are two pairs of trousers: the pieced one for Eisirt on the right, and the black and white one is from last year. I'd also made little signs showing pictures from behind the scenes and telling something about myself.
Once everything was set up and the car parked, we walked into town. First visit was to Recht & Averecht, a yarn vendor who has recently opened up a pop-up store. I really splurged on some purple silk & merino Manos del Uruguay, and also picked up two skeins of Malabrigo. Eisirt was given coffee and a seat while I debated knitting a sweater from the silk fino (decided against it, as the yardage I need will break my budget!) with the proprietor Marijke.
Then we went on to another yarn store to pick up two more skeins of a yarn I'd bought during the exams so I can knit a shawl for my mom. Eisirt whipped out his debit card, because there were two sock yarns I'd picked out for him as well.
Then we continued shopping. I bought a pair of Ecco's for daily use, and we shopped at the outdoor shop Bever. I didn't get new outdoor shoes though, as I keep sliding forward in everything they try on me. I think it might be the support soles that are too slippery under my feet.
We sauntered with all our purchases towards the car to change, my knees protesting about the long day on my feet. At five, we were ensconced at the Turkish restaurant I wanted to try. Eisirt's parents and my mom and Luc soon joined us at the round table.
We drank fresh mint tea with honey, ate a variety of wonderful turkish delicious food, and I was spoiled rotten by all my proud parents. Flowers, alcohol-free champagne, a gift of money and a pair of Real Seamstress Scissors (second-hand, but lovingly sharpened by Luc's father a few months ago).
We were aglow when we returned to the café next to school for the graduation ceremony. The first- and second-years got their certificates and then the third-years were honoured. José made a speech about each class and then about each student.
I am always amazed at the work people do -- this school is always done next to work and family life, requiring quite a sacrifice and work ethic. And despite everything, we all passed and learned and enjoyed our time in school.
After the ceremony, we looked at the exhibit and toasted to a successful end of my school career. I'm now a certified seamstress!
It would be really weird if this night would be the end. But it's not! I get to go to school for another year, studying more intricate ways of adjusting a pattern, of wadding and padding and drafting and draping and fun!
