Where I'm at with my wardrobe.. - YouLookFab Forum

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Where I'm at with my wardrobe..

Anonymous

Hi lovely ladies! Since I got back from holiday it's been a bit of a whirlwind. What with school starting and then DH, followed by me, coming down with colds, but whilst away on holiday I did a lot of thinking and planning. A lot of it revolving around my sewing. I joined Instagram a short while ago and since the beginning of Sept(national sewing month) I've been doing a daily challenge on there (to the end of the month) and connecting with all the sewing community on there...lots of fun! Don't worry though I'm not deserting YLF Consequently though, I'm quite fired up about my own sewing projects. Better sit down with a cuppa, this is loooong!

So...back peddling a little and setting the scene...I've been inspired by all the wardrobe sorting posts; in particular our lovely Tanya who has done a fabulous job with hers. I felt encouraged to really think about my wardrobe and make proper notes and plans for the first time.

Firstly I tried on lots of things I wasn't feeling the love for any more and ended up purging 9 items with a further 3 being moved to my sewing room for refashioning. 9 doesn't sound like many and not a big deal, but my wardrobe is very small, so to me it's a fair bit!

Then I put on my skirts and pants and tried outfit combos, some of which were new to me because I decided to really think outside the box and I was so pleased with some new to me outfits...I made lots of notes, including tailoring tweeks needed to get new silhouettes.

A list of sewing for myself has now been compiled consisting of about 14 items for me to make! For now though, the first few are:

Denim blue duster trench,

Pinstriped cropped culotte/wide leg pants with teal stripe

Rust cropped culotte/wide leg pants

Teal jersey top

Cream georgette pussy bow blouse

Brown/light grey/cream georgette pussy bow blouse

Furry gilet in stoney ivory

Phew! So that's quite a lot of work, but I'm excited about it. I'm loving the trends this fall and a lot of them seem to tug at my heart strings so I'm getting organised... for once! BTW, if you remember my last post about some patchwork suede boots...they came and I love them so they will feature in many outfits this year

If you got this far...you're a trooper...thanks for sticking with it. Off to catch up on the forum...

General

30 replies

Latest reply was from Bijou

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

That sounds like a great plan! I'm excited for you!!!

Anonymous

Thanks Manny! Can't wait to get going on it all...let's hope work doesn't get in the way too much

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Oh you have been hard at work. Like cannot wait to see the modified outfits.

Aida

Veteran

Great plan! Love the sound of those pieces, more 70s glam woohoo! And good that you've ordered your projects; get the ones you need most done first in case time becomes unfriendly Looking forward to seeing these lovelies, and also happy to hear those patchwork booties worked out. Fun ^^

Anonymous

Thanks Ledonna. I'm not the speediest of sewers but now that I'm more organised it should help things along.
Thanks Aida! Yup loving the 70's glam trend

Style Fan

Veteran

I am excited to see your projects. Love the sound of them.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I'm impressed, Diane! And intrigued, of course. I wonder: if I were to do something like this, what would I do with the unsewn fabric I've bought that doesn't fit into the plan? Did you face that problem?

I am so undisciplined and emotional with my fabric shopping. Even though I try to be deliberate about what I buy, I end up getting some fabrics that I don't get around to sewing up right away, and then later, I've lost interest in the project I had in mind.

I think sometimes I'm not sewing so much to have a wardrobe item as to make it. That is, I'm not sewing with wardrobe holes in mind. I may want to wear the item I'm making, but I don't always feel I need it. Then sometimes I do feel it's filling a hole, and I don't get to it in time for it to be all that useful. I think the real problem here is that I'm not a planner. If I want to be more deliberate about my sewing and my wardrobe, I'll have to actually sit down and plan, as you did!

It will be fun to see your new wardrobe unveiled, bit by bit. Also to see your new outfits with existing pieces.

Dee

Veteran

I've been busy and not checking the forum as much lately, but I love coming across these kinds of posts. It sounds like you've got a solid plan for your wardrobe, so we'll done! I need to find the time to do something similar.

rachylou

Veteran

A denim duster is sooo on my list too!

Anonymous

Thank you StyleFan!

Sharan you've bought up points that only a sewist would understand And the truthful answer is that I will have lots of fabrics that don't get sewn up, but they just live in my stash, lol! Seriously though, this is the first time I've sort of planned any sort of making schedule so we'll see how it goes. If I tell you though that a few of the fabrics I'll be using are ones I've had a long time would you be surprised?. One in particular...the rust for culottes is a length I've had for nearly 20years! So you see, they do get used eventually even if not for the original intended purpose! Some fabrics are very new purchases too and yes, I often buy emotionally, because I just love it. Oh, and I'm including a picture of fabric swatches attached to card which I did lately to sort and catalogue my stash. These represent the lengths that I have stored, with maybe just a couple missing.

Hehe, thanks Rachy...I hope you get yours!

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Anonymous

Sorry forgot to say thank you so much Dee!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I'm glad to hear you do some of the same thing I do, and also that you are going to make up your 20-year rust fabric. That's exciting! Love the swatch cards--thanks for sharing.

Sal

Veteran

Well done Diane! You will look gorgeous in these items - I think the current trends will suit you brilliantly!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

WOW. I'm all fired up and excited with you, Diane. A glorious roundup of items. FUN.

I'm also very impressed with how well you edited and REVIEWED your closet.

*applause*

deb

Veteran

great job and love the swatch idea.

Beth Ann

Veteran

This is a great list, Diane --- the ability to sew lets you craft items that suit you, while still incorporating the trends.

Joy

Veteran

Well done! As Sharan said so well, "It will be fun to see your new wardrobe unveiled, bit by bit. Also to see your new outfits with existing pieces."

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Yes 70s glam suits you so well - I can't wait to see the duster and patchwork boots as well as everything else. Excellent plan!

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

@Sharan & Di - All the unsewn fabric Diane has will become scarves and kaftans for me

unfrumped

Veteran

It all sounds delicious. I am always wowed by your outfits, so this will be a treat!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Amazing work, Diane, and I can't wait to see what develops. I also love this talk of fabric purchases. I can absolutely understand how you might buy a fabric emotionally. It is not as big an investment as buying a bag or shoes emotionally and is probably a much better buy in that eventually it will be used or gifted so it really does not go to waste. As long as you have storage space for it.

As long as it doesn't give rise to what a friend of mine calls "idea debt" where you are trailing guilt for all the undone stuff. One way of dealing with that in writing is very similar to what you've done. Make a list of ALL the ideas (or fabrics) you have saved. DECIDE to let go of some of them for now -- put them in a holding zone of some kind (or donate them) and then PICK just ONE to work on (or perhaps, as in this case, make a list of the order you intend to work on the ones you still intend to do) and focus on just one at a time. It helps relieve that obscure sense that there is too much swirling around and allows you to complete things. Not that you or Sharan have any trouble completing projects!

Anonymous

Yes, definitely Sharan...I can't help but do emotional fabric shopping some days....Dolce and Gabanna fabric I'm thinking of you

Thanks Sally!

Thank you Angie! I'm glad you approve of my plans and my closet review

Thanks Deb, Beth Ann and Joy!

Jaime...I do love me a bit of 70's

Haha! For sure Manny xo

Thanks so much Unfrumped. I hope I don't disappoint!

Thanks for such wise words Suz. You're right...for the most part a length of fabric isn't such a drain on cash and can be stored easily (I do have lots of storage drawers for it) Sometimes I will buy a length with a garment in mind, but then life takes over and it doesn't get made, but then a year or so (or even longer!) later and I end up making it up into something else which just happens to be the perfect garment for it, like it was 'meant to be'. 'Idea debt' is a very real thing though, you're so right, but my plans this time have definitely given me more clarity and focus. Wish me luck!

Inge

(website)

I am so impressed with how organized and ready for the new season you are, Di! And I'm super excited about the clothes you are planning to make (I've no doubt everything will be gorgeous). And the sewing challenge on Instagram sounds super too, brilliant how something like this can have a positive effect on other aspects of our "style life" too!

RobinF

Veteran

Wow, this is very impressive. I sew but not clothes for myself these days. It's really hard to find good patterns and fabrics. Sounds like you have a great plan, can't wait to see the results.

Vix

Veteran

Ms D -- can't wait.

I'm sure you can read between the lines!

Anonymous

You're a sweetheart, thanks Inge. I made a little start on a muslin mock up for my culottes today, so the wheels are in motion!

Thanks a ton Robin!

Hhehe! I can indeed Vix

Lynn

Veteran

Diane- so glad to see a post by another seamstress. I am just now getting back into garment making after 5-10 years of very minimal sewing. Not sewing didn't stop me from buying fabric and patterns though! There is just something soothing about wondering through a fabric store looking and touching beautiful textiles and imagining what they could be. I have a fabulous wardrobe in my stash. Now I just need to make it a reality. You have inspired me.

Anonymous

Thank you sew much Lynn (sorry couldn't resist :)) I'm glad to think I've inspired you. You must get sewing again. I like to encourage anyone who wants to sew.

Jane

Veteran

I read your post yesterday and thought a lot about it today. It seems such a wise approach, and I liked to read your thought process.

I am looking forward to seeing your creations this season, and the adaptations. So good that the boots worked out.

And, having the material swatches arranged in that way, is very organised! I wondered which one was the D&G that I think you mentioned in a previous post.

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