Michelle, ma belle... tres bien ensemble
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Michelle ma belle, sont des mots qui vont très bien ensemble,

Tres bien ensemble

Basic Essentials.

9/4/2013

26 Comments

 
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 Sewing basic, daily-wear garments is a top priority on my list of sewing goals for 2013. Yet, three-quarters of the way through the year, I haven't worked very diligently towards achieving that priority.  
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It's very easy to fall in love with the envelop art on vintage dress patterns, regardless of their practicality. I have a hard time trying to convince myself against sewing them exclusively. However, my daily uniform is much more consistent with the list I made here than it is with tulle petticoats and frilly dresses. 
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So, why is it a complete chore for me to regroup my focus towards more versatile and practical garments? In addition to their overwhelming function, garments like this Scout Tee or the Datura Blouses I sewed earlier this summer are MUCH simpler and far less time consuming than say... the 40's dress I sewed for Rochelle's Sew for Victory  SAL.
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As a person with limited sewing time, isn't that time better spent working on garments that will see repeated use and wear? While making 'staples' doesn't excite me quite the way it does to hand stitch a hem on a full skirted party dress, I do adore them when they're finished. I've already worn my scout tee a handful of times since I finished it. 
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Or, should a crafter with limited hours to devote to her craft work exclusively on projects that make her heart flutter?
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How do you choose your projects? Are you the type to sew/knit only those things that you know you'll wear, or do you throw practicality to the wayside? Have you  discovered the secret to achieving balance and harmony between these two worlds? Do tell! 
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Pattern: Scout Tee by Grainline Studios
Fabric: Poly Crepe- Estate sale find.
Notes: I didn't make any modifications to the pattern. This top went together very easily! However, because my fabric has a high propensity for fraying, I used French seams throughout (sides, shoulders, sleeves).  
26 Comments
Teresa link
9/4/2013 02:46:22 am

I'm with you that I need to sew more staples...especially tops. The scout pattern is on my to buy list...maybe next month's budget! I love the polka dots in your top...it turned out beautiful! And what a great staple to add to your wardrobe :)

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Michelle link
9/4/2013 03:05:20 am

I absolutely recommend this pattern if you get the chance to buy it. It was very simple to construct. And, it's very easy to wear. Do you have other patterns that you'd recommend for wardrobe building?

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Renee Anne link
9/4/2013 04:23:46 am

When we lived in Wisconsin, I knew what to expect with the weather. I knew that if I knit a bulky, heavy sweater, I would wear it in the winter. I wouldn't even need a coat! I knew that I would wear hats, mittens, scarves, and socks. So, I made them.

Here in California, things are different. My bulky sweater is sitting in a drawer, not being used. Unless we go up to Tahoe in the middle of winter, I'm not going to need it. If it wasn't my first sweater, I'd pick it apart and reclaim my yarn. For now, it rests. I have knit fingerless mitts and used them, I've worn some of my hats, the shawl I knit didn't get blocked until mid-summer so there's been no need for it.....so I'm hoping that I can soon figure out what I'll want and need around here. I miss sweaters :(

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Michelle link
9/5/2013 01:57:04 am

Moving to a region with a completely new climate would make it extra difficult to adjust the types of projects that would be most functional in daily life. I would ABSOLUTELY miss sweaters too!

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steph link
9/4/2013 04:30:36 am

I love that tee!!! it's pretty darn perfect-wear-every-day-kind of item!!! but I really know what you're saying, because as a knitter, i knit what I want to knit, not necessarily what i want to wear. Rarely do the two intersect!!!!!

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Michelle link
9/5/2013 02:01:05 am

I've gotten better recently with knitting projects that I want to wear. The sweaters I knit when I first started knitting don't see have the action that my Oolong or Grace cardigans do. Knitting practical projects was definitely an evolutionary process, so maybe sewing will be similar??? However, I REALLY need to knit more hats/mittens/cowls- I have almost none. And, I'm always upset about it when winter gets here.... Maybe I still have some work to do in knitting functional pieces first... :-D

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katie metzroth link
9/4/2013 06:04:19 am

I knit what I'm inspired to knit. While I admire beautiful shawls, I do not for the most part have the desire to knit them myself....and when I have been inspired, I find an excuse to wear it (the Jeanie). So, I might make party dresses and then start throwing parties just to show them off.

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katie metzroth
9/4/2013 06:05:12 am

such a great discussion topic that I neglected to comment on how charming I find your new top. Lovely work as per your usual!

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Michelle link
9/5/2013 02:04:18 am

Katie, I love the way you think!

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Lisa link
9/4/2013 06:47:52 am

I always intend to knit practical things, but the list of things sitting around that are lovely, but I've only worn once or twice is a bit bigger than the list of things that I wear often. :-(

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Michelle link
9/5/2013 02:06:48 am

Ah, the best laid plans.... right? I'm glad to hear I have company. It's definitely a conundrum at times. I want to enjoy the process as much as the product.

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Lynn link
9/4/2013 07:41:58 am

I mostly sew things I know I will wear but that's not too hard for me because I'm not terribly shy about wearing something a little bit crazy or "too frilly". Of course I do have my limits and I try to stay within them when I sew. (How boring, right?)

I do often have conflict between "want to sew" and "need to sew". For example, I really need to make some new dining chair cushions and I've had the materials for them for months so I decided I will not sew anything else until I have made the chair cushions so right now I'm not working on those or anything else.

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Michelle link
9/5/2013 02:08:15 am

Not boring at all! I could learn a thing or two from your example.

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Sezza link
9/4/2013 08:45:59 am

Great top! you also have great legs!

I don't craft for myself much at the moment, as sad as that is, especially garments.

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Michelle link
9/5/2013 02:09:56 am

Awe, but you're a very generous mum! Your kiddos have some really wonderful wardrobe pieces as a result!

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Jennifer Lauren link
9/4/2013 10:15:35 am

Sewing wearable basics that mix and match has also been a big goal of mine this year, and they need to be comfy to boot! This blouse looks like it fits perfectly into that department! I love the polka dots :)

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Michelle link
9/5/2013 02:11:48 am

Based on your posts, you have been INCREDIBLY successful in this department! You have sewn so many lovely garments! You also seems to have a really good handle on your personal sense of style, which is something I could improve on. I drooled over your Me-Mades all MAY!

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Sally link
9/4/2013 01:10:49 pm

So cute! I love the scout tee! I definitely lean towards the practical side of things - I really only sew clothes that I know I will wear, and like! If I'm not going to wear it, no matter how frilly and wonderful, I usually don't bother sewing it - there just aren't enough hours in the day! Lol - that said, I did just buy some ridiculous butterfly print cotton to make a dress that I have no idea where I'm going to wear it - but it will be made and worn! Lol :)

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Michelle link
9/5/2013 02:15:34 am

I really still want to sew a color blocked Scout like the one you made over the summer! Butterfly print sounds amazing! You could make a butterfly outfit for the Chi-sewer meetup! ;-)

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true bias link
9/4/2013 11:59:45 pm

i love the scout tee too. its just perfect for everyday wear and yours is perfectly simple and adorable.

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Michelle link
9/5/2013 02:17:32 am

Oh, thank you! There are so many wonderful version of this pattern sewn-up and on display around the internet that were helpful to generate inspiration to sew it for myself.

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Loran link
9/5/2013 02:18:54 am

I wear the vintage-y stuff during the week at work. My biggest stumbling block is most of my items need ironing after they've been washed and one cat or another is constantly asleep on the ironing board : ) On the weekends I tend to wear the same 2 t-shirts and pair of men's boxer shorts. Your shirt is adorable, have to check that pattern out! And I'm still trying to figure out how to justify a sweater with bear ears and buttons into my wardrobe!

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Meg the Grand link
9/5/2013 04:26:35 am

You already know that I love that Scout Tee so much, because polka dots are fabulous on you :) I usually sew for work. Totally lame, I know, but it's so much more likely to be worn if I can wear it during the work week or even on Fridays when we get to wear jeans. Otherwise, it goes into that special place in the closet reserved for the "special and certain occasion" clothes and it's never seen again.

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Joelle link
9/7/2013 02:29:22 am

Well , that is a dilemma I solved very easily: wear frilly dresses everyday to go to work and do the groceries! I work in an office, so that's not too hard for me, and i understand it doesn't work for everybody...

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prttynpnk link
9/8/2013 06:29:37 am

I have a fantasy life I sew for- but every few months I whip out 3 or 4 practical tops to wear while I'm wondering where I will wear my All bout Eve collection?!

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Zoe link
9/12/2013 03:34:10 pm

I probably need to make more staples as well but sewing is my relaxation and hobby so I just sew whatever makes my heart flutter or whatever I need in the moment. I tried planning my projects but with schoolwork and social commitments I have limited time to sew so I just make whatever excites me the most!

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