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

Tres bien ensemble

Trending: Straight Skirts

4/6/2014

25 Comments

 
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There is a lot of chatter this year in the sewing community with regard to creating wearable wardrobe pieces and crafting a closet full of custom clothing. The ladies at the Coletterie have been running a wardrobe architect series to help focus on the concepts of building a solid wardrobe with a lot of good advice and direction if you're interested and looking for a good starting point. This is a subject I've spent a lot of time thinking about. It's the reason I started sewing in the first place. At the beginning of last year, I tried to make a list of the pieces I thought would constitute my ideal wardrobe. I really tried to  take my day to day dress into consideration when I wrote the list. Five days a week, I'm in an office. When I'm at home, I like to be comfortable. When I venture out, I like to have outing specific attire.  I prefer tailored clothes that fit well. I don't wear a lot of oversized or excessively drapey garments, and I'm not comfortable in tight, clingy clothes. I like clothing that helps to accentuate my waistline and take focus away from my hips. I like natural fabrics. I prefer lined garments. I like garments that look well made and high-end. 

I made progress sewing garments that I wanted to wear during 2013. But, I still didn't feel I had found my style identity through sewing.  Also, importantly, I didn't produce nearly enough garments to cover my daily, weekly, monthly or seasonal clothing needs. 
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The projects from my 2013 sewing I am most pleased with are the skirts I made. I like the way I look in skirts. Also, I feel really comfortable in them.  In January, Gail conducted a little sewing experiment that completely resonated with me. She tweaked a skirt pattern to fit her body exactly the way she wanted, and she made three versions of that skirt. boom. boom. boom.  A lot of sewers would refer to a pattern of this type as a TNT (tried and true) pattern. A pattern that fits. A pattern that you turn to repeatedly, because you know exactly what to expect from it. A pattern that produces a garment you love to wear. 

I don't have any. I've only sewn the same pattern on one previous occasion to make skirts last year.  I'm not sure what benefit I associated with using a different pattern for each project, but for some reason, that's exactly what I've done.  
Comically, when I look through inspiration pictures I've collected, like the ones above, I find that I'm not drawn to a huge variety of different styles. My taste is very vanilla. All of the skirts I've pinned over the last two years fall into one of three categories: Straight, Skater, Maxi. The variety I'm seeking isn't in pattern variation, it's in fabric choice.  

I am able to make the same sorts of groupings with pants,  blouses, and jackets.  The good news is, I know what I like. The bad new is, I haven't been sewing those things. I think it's time to try something new and do a little bit of production/assembly line sewing.  Instead of looking at my wardrobe as a whole, I've got my sights set on spring. I've started by making a handful of straight skirts. If I can keep up the momentum, I would like to approach the other garments on my wishlist in the same way.

There's going to be a lot of the same around here while I work on this project. I'll do what I can to keep it interesting.  I'm starting with Simplicity 9267, the same pattern I used to make the wool chevron skirt I sewed in March. I dove into my fabric stash and easily found half a dozen pieces of fabric to get me started. 
25 Comments
Karla
4/6/2014 10:11:17 am

You looked amazing in the skirt you wore to my birthday party!

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Michelle link
4/7/2014 01:40:08 am

THANK YOU! :-D

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Tasha link
4/6/2014 11:27:21 am

Yes yes yes and oh, yes. I've been slowly whittling down my ideal style in clothing over the last couple of years and have been sewing pretty much only that. I honestly am a boring dresser. I have a few styles of blouses I like, a few styles of skirt and (finally!) I'm figuring this out with dresses too. I'm learning I don't like or wear fussy adornments on clothing. (I lust after them in my heart, but do I wear them? Nope.) I like plain shapes like 4-gore skirts. I like basic wide-legged pants. I like fit and flare or somewhat A-line dresses. I even know what kinds of sleeves I will and will not wear, and on what items.

All of these things don't seem very exciting, but with a world of fabric options and little tweaks here and there, the possibilities are endless, right?? I really am quite frankly thrilled at the idea of having a small handful of TNT patterns that I turn to time and time again. So two thumbs up to you for starting to realize what you want to wear and working towards that!

(p.s. Sorry I missed the fun today, hopefully next time it won't be right before an international trip when I'm trying to be good on spending. ;)

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Michelle link
4/7/2014 01:54:39 am

Tasha, I LOVE watching you craft your closet! You have a much better sense of the garments you like to wear than I do. I'm working to hone in on specifics. Right now, I've got about 6 patterns that I'm concentrating on, and I'm hoping that they all work out the way I imagine. :-D

I never thought I would have a little collection of TNTs. But, I think it's going to be really liberating to have a group of wardrobe staples that form the foundation for all my other projects.

We missed you on Saturday! But, we'll get together again soon! I hope you and Mel have a great time on your trip!

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Ginger link
4/6/2014 11:57:54 am

Oh man, I can totally relate to this! I get so tempted to try new patterns and waste lots of time fitting new patterns that I'll never make again. My taste is all over the place and not as consistent as yours, but still, there's no reason why I can't stick to tried & true patterns more. I've had great results the few times when I decided to adapt a pattern I've already used- it's a HUGE timesaver. Straight skirts are perfect for an office environment, and the one you just made is fantastic! Looking forward to seeing more of those from you!

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Michelle link
4/7/2014 01:59:05 am

New patterns are enticing! I don't sew with a lot of 'new' patterns, but I have A LOT of patterns, and I wish I could sew them all. Unfortunately, it's not practical for me right now. It's difficult to prioritize between wanting to sew all the patterns and wanting a wearable wardrobe full of clothes that I made. If I could have my cake and eat it too, I would.

I figure, one step at a time. Once I build myself a foundation wardrobe, I won't feel bad using my sewing time to experiment with new shapes and styles.

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Sally link
4/6/2014 01:44:59 pm

Great post! Just like we were talking about at lunch today (when I also saw that adorable green and white skirt! ;) I really love all your inspiration pics and can't wait to see what all you create on this wardrobe journey! Also we need to hang out! K Bye :)

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Michelle link
4/7/2014 02:04:35 am

Right? It's like You and Ashley were saying with the Cambie and the Bomber Jacket! So many sewists are seeing the appeal to sticking with something that works.

We should definitely hang out again soon! It was great to pick the your brains about pattern modifications and silhouettes!

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Sezza link
4/6/2014 06:28:47 pm

Makes perfect sense to make lots of what you love! I love the chevron skirt, so I won't be bored seeing you make many of the same shape!

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Michelle link
4/7/2014 02:07:36 am

Awe. Thanks! I need to apply this concept to sock knitting! I'm not sure I'll ever need a dozen of the same sweater in different colors, but socks are another story. I really only LOVE two sock patterns I've knit... cough... Scout Base... cough. :-D The rest are ho-hum. I could use about twenty pairs of each of those!

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Laurie link
4/7/2014 01:09:49 am

I don't have hardly anything me made that works with my daily life and it is something I am determined to focus on, starting with tops and then moving on to skirts. I made a lot of Maxi's last year (which I can wear on weekends but not to work) and a few things I wore once. :/ I need to break it down like you did and just focus on one thing- Spring. ;) Those skirts sure are pretty!

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Michelle link
4/7/2014 02:10:33 am

I don't think it's easy to know to go about sewing what you want to wear. I've really struggled since I started sewing. I hope that this experiment helps me to focus-in. Do you already have some TNTs?

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Laurie link
4/7/2014 11:56:40 am

No. :( Just the Anna dress I have made 3 times! I am always attracted to the exciting things like a vintage dress or a neat coat. Things I don't wear everyday. But I am going to change all that and do better with the everyday stuff! I need clothes. I have not bought any in a year and a half now! Time to make some slacks, skirts and blouses. :) I'd like to make some workout wear too!

Loran link
4/7/2014 03:28:57 am

I have a favorite blouse pattern that I've made over and over and over... Every once in a while I make another vintage blouse pattern with a slightly different cut or details but I find myself back to my TNT. Ah well. There are worst things than looking in your closet at a dozen (or so) blouses and loving each one : )
I may have also found my new favorite skirt pattern, experimenting now so I'll let you know when I figure it out!

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Michelle link
4/7/2014 03:42:11 am

AH! I would LOVE to open my closet and smile because I have too many choices! Pipe dreams.

Keep me posted no the skirt!

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zilredloh link
4/7/2014 03:31:21 am

I need to get on this bandwagon, too. I have several "favorite" dresses I've made but haven't made a second or a third for some unknown reason and I wish I had. Before I dive in to sewing, I'm going to have to plan with purpose.

I love your new skirts & happy that you're sticking to what works for you. Loved that little green dotted skirt you wore yesterday - the fit was like a glove and your waist did look itty bitty. :D

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Michelle link
4/7/2014 03:46:16 am

You flatter! :-D I'm so excited for you to set-up a little temp space to sew. You and Felix have been working ridiculously hard on the house! It's going to feel so nice to have a place to unwind. Which dresses do you think you'll sew again?

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tanyamaile link
4/7/2014 06:56:32 am

Ironically, last fall I sat down and made a list of things I needed in my closet after weeding out various garments. I started buying fabric and making things based on this list, so the Wardrobe Architect really spoke to me. I also made a list of certain fabrics and colors that I wanted as well and I have only been buying those fabrics to cut down on my fabric hoarding and to make things that I will wear often. This has all really helped me organize.

I love the clothing that you create and am looking forward to your future creations. :)

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Michelle link
4/10/2014 01:18:25 am

Making a list really helped me focus! It's so easy to fall in love with pretty dresses and patterns that look amazing on other people. I'm glad that I sat down to evaluate. I think it's going to have a huge impact on my sewing.

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Meg link
4/7/2014 07:25:06 am

I couldn't agree more! The more I sew certain patterns, the more I find that I want more versions in my closet (the Cambie, the Hollyburn, etc). I find I'm less willing to waste my time on things that may or may not look right, and I'm defining my style piece by piece. I realized that I love assembly line sewing and knocking 2-3 pieces out at once. I love all of your new skirts, and can't wait to see what you come up with in the future in all of your fabulousness :)

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Michelle link
4/10/2014 01:20:19 am

Meg, I LOVE all you blouses. You're like my wearable wardrobe idol. You figured this out so long ago. I am already noticing how each skirt gets easier to sew as I sew them consecutively. It's really satisfying, actually.

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Gina link
4/7/2014 03:25:59 pm

I loved the skirt you were wearing yesterday! Green is one of my favorite colors, and I loved the print.

I wouldn't say I have a problem making things I don't want to wear, but I definitely have a problem with not repeating patterns. I tend to get excited about new patterns, but then I don't have a ton of time to go through the process of fitting a muslin, so they don't get made up. When I do repeat patterns, I feel defeated, like I haven't had a new sewing achievement (maybe I spend too much time with my gamer husband who likes to talk about leveling up?). I want to get comfortable with using patterns multiple times so I have more clothes to wear. Some people have been blogging about Me Made May, but I don't have nearly enough garments to participate in it this year. I'm not even sure I'd want to -- I still enjoy buying certain things, plus I haven't conquered pants yet -- but I'd like to know it was possible if I wanted to!

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Michelle link
4/10/2014 01:24:04 am

Awe. I don't think you should feel defeated. You sew beautifully! I love all the garments you make. I think the most important thing is that we enjoy the process/product cycle. Sew what you feel like when you feel like.

As far as MMMay, you can absolutely participate! Everyone sets his/her own goal, so you can commit to wearing something once a week if you want or any other goal you might have relating to garments you made or want to make yourself.

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Lisa link
4/8/2014 10:37:08 am

I have loved watching you add beautiful pieces to your wardrobe over the last year! And skirts DO look so fabulous on you!

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Michelle link
4/10/2014 01:25:07 am

Thanks, Lisa! I hope that eventually I'll be able to look in my closet and see endless possibilities!

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