So this was my third from last week on my Pinocchio Placement. It is somewhat baffling to think this is week forty-five. What a (dare I say it) rollercoaster. And also, wouldn’t it be soooooo satisfying if my final week was number fifty? And actually in truth, that may happen yet.
I think I mentioned it in my last post; The Australian Government have halved their international arrival caps for the next month, so there is in fact a fifty percent chance my flight will be postponed, pushed by up to three weeks. So perhaps I will get my fifty week finale after all. Is that something I truly want? Probably not. Speaking of the rollercoaster (is there a better analogy), my plans have changed so many times since I got the news of this placement, that I am a little exhausted by and tired of the uncertainty. I will of course make it work either way the cookie crumbles, but flying home on February third as planned would be my preference.
If my flight does get pushed I will of course count my blessings. I have a roof over my head, wonderful housemates who I adore, wonderful friends and colleagues. And though I can’t legally earn money here post-January, I think I would simply continue going to work and volunteering my time. An extra couple of weeks will certainly not be the worst thing that could happen. I love my life and my people here and will be incredibly sad to say goodbye (whenever that may be).
In saying all that… my preference is completely irrelevant! I have no control over how this goes down, so I just have to wait and see what happens. With only two weeks left, it is a little tricky to process, but life could be much worse. I am always careful to check my privilege in these moments. I am incredibly fortunate to be here, having this experience with such amazing support around me on all sides; From my amazing people here, to my family and friends back home.
But enough of that! On to the week itself. I think this will be quite a short post, as my week was honestly pretty repetitive. Overall I had a really good week though. I am working in the costume department right now, working on a tiny costume for a very small child (about fifteen cm tall if that). This week was all patterning. I was prepared for the fact that I would need to do this pattern over and over again till I got it right, so was not in any way bothered by the repetition. Honestly, I think it was quite a good, mindful task for me this week. Once I had received and implemented my feedback from either Head of Puppetry George Hayns or senior costume fabricator Annika Schindler, it was simply a process of re-making the garment over and over which was quite mindful after a while. I was able to tune out a little, disappear from the world and listen to my audio book while I worked (which I think I needed).
Drawing out the pattern adjustments and cutting the new pattern out in the patterning paper.
Tracing that on to the fabric backing and cutting out the shape (soaking my scissors in alcohol intermittently as the glue from the backing clogs them up)
Peeling the paper layer off the glue side of the backing bit by bit, as I transfer the backing on to the fabric.
Peeling off the back layer of the backing and ironing the backing on to the fabric using my mini-iron.
Cutting the fabric around the backing with a decent seam allowance and then cutting in the neccesary darts as required.
Ironing over the seam to the line of the backing to create a nice crease
Applying the fabri-tack glue under the seam, keeping away from the edge that will be sewn.
Using the mini iron to push the seam down and adhere it to the glue.
Sewing the pattern pieces together with the garment on the puppet.
Get more feedback and repeat.
This has been my process all week.. I think I made about four new versions of the little tunic and about three of the shirt sleeves. I am very happy to report that at by the end of the week both of my patterns had been approved! Woo!
This is both cause for celebration, and anxiety (haha). George mentioned again this week how terrible my stitching is, which was fine for now, as I was just sewing the mock ups to nail down the pattern. It didn’t need to be perfect in terms of the stitching. Now however, it is time to begin work on the real deal, which is a little scary. But I am determined to improve my stitching. I feel like I have a fire under me to prove that I can do it, or at the very least show improvement. If I can go from “your stitching is terrible” to “your stitching is ok, but not perfect”, I will honestly be thrilled.
I have never had a lot of instruction around sewing, and have certainly never had this push to do it so small and so neatly. Though I do have some other things to learn for this costume, how to create the perfect bunched sleeve (like it has been rolled up), making the cuffs for the sleeves, making the external pockets etc. I am determined that first thing Monday morning, I am going to approach the first costume fabricator I see and get them to give me some advice on how to improve my stitching. I think then I will spend the day (maybe days) practicing and practicing! I do not even want to attempt the final version of this costume till I improve my stitching technique. I do believe that improving this skill will serve me well for the future, so I am eager to make the most of the expertise around me. As always, I will give it my PB!
Just two more weeks left in the studio (if all goes to plan). Eep.
It is very surreal. It honestly doesn’t feel like I am leaving. And it may not, till I am on the plane, or home… and even then I am sure that will be surreal too. I have done this dance enough times in my life (Ireland for a year when I was eighteen, Canada for a semester of University, a year at the London School of Puppetry) to know what to expect. You would think I would get better at it, but it is always a whirlwind. I always gain so much from these adventures though, and I am determined to soak up as much as I possibly can with the time I have left of this one. My hope is that leaving here will not be the end of my relationship with the Portland stop motion community. You can be certain I will be trying my darndest to come back and work with these amazing people again in the future, hopefully in a less pandemic-y time.
Oh, and on the home front this week; I ran a couple of virtual Trash Puppets workshops for the NGV (National Gallery of Victoria) which was both fun and challenging. I had never run a trash puppets workshop virtually before, and it definitely presented some new challenges, but overall went really well. We have another workshop for the NGV coming up in March. Follow @trashpuppetsaus on Instagram or Facebook for updates! AND, two of my Puppetsmithery crew Jem Eva and Nathan Reardon have been out and about at the Melbourne Zoo this month, roving with my puppets Poppy, Peanut, Dot and Lucille! See @thepuppetsmithery on instagram for some photos and videos of these haps.
And thus ends my week forty-five wrap up. As always, if you have come along for the ride, and read this far, thank you. I hope you gain something from my ramblings. I learned this week that a couple of my colleagues sometimes read along, which is nice! Hi Aaron and Emily if you are reading this one! Hiiiiieeeeee!! See you both Monday!
Aaron and I actually went to my favourite Portland restaurant “Lela’s” TWICE this week. Mmmh! So good!
Till next week!