https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/capsule-rubrics-and-other-rules Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 01 May 2026 08:00:30 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/capsule-rubrics-and-other-rules#post-1016553 Thu, 29 Aug 2013 05:12:08 +0000 Day Vies 1016553@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think your rule is perfectly natural because "I'm wearing a piece I sold myself on the X model is a perfect opener" especially if its a part of your presentation. </p> <p>I agree with Suz creating a capsule around items you've made yourself is an excellent idea. Of course you'd mix in store-bought items&nbsp; Even if the weather changes you've already thought about more than a few outfits and substitutions that follow the rule.</p> <p>I just have to say I am so impressed that you sew AND sell sewing machines. WOW! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/capsule-rubrics-and-other-rules#post-1016485 Thu, 29 Aug 2013 02:51:09 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1016485@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Adelfa, you are so insightful with this comment. I'm not sure either, whether I want to keep my rule or break it. I guess I've felt a bit guilty about having such a rule, so #1 maybe. But also wondering if it serves me or if I'm serving it, or your #2. I love your answer, using Angie's examples! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/capsule-rubrics-and-other-rules#post-1016464 Thu, 29 Aug 2013 02:17:55 +0000 Adelfa 1016464@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can't tell from your post if you *want* to keep your rule about wearing a self-made garment--but worry you're too rigid--</p> <p>OR if you are wanting to break away from the rule, but feel some anxiety over it.</p> <p>It's okay to have a rule you don't break! Angie has lots of them. It's also okay to change your rule, which Angie does too. For example, "I don't like lip gloss and never wear it" turns into "I just found a lovely lip gloss by Laura Mercier and I quite like it." </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/capsule-rubrics-and-other-rules#post-1016442 Thu, 29 Aug 2013 01:58:22 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1016442@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Suz</b>, my employers do appreciate my sewing abilities and the fact that I wear my creations. You are right, though, that I can point out to people that I wear things I buy, too--that there are some things I prefer to sew and others I prefer to buy. </p> <p><b>Runcarla</b>, that's awesome, that you place your sewing machine and shears right up their with your racing bicycle! </p> <p><b>Runcarla</b> and <b>Shevia</b>, the idea of capsules centered on self-made items is a good one. Thank you!</p> <p><b>Pil,</b> a lookbook sounds great, but daunting to me. . . However, we do have a catalog of sewing classes, where I've got some of my garments pictured. And there are some that I post on a board at work to advertise my classes. So I have samples to show even if I'm not wearing them. </p> <p><b>Kelly</b>, too funny. Of course I'll be happy to answer anything I can.</p> <p><b>unfrumped</b>, yes I think I need to let myself be flexible and not stress about what to wear! You and <b>Suz</b> bring up good points about how what I wear can play a role in my sales. Often I <i>could</i> simply point to a technique on a RTW garment and say, "This machine can do this type of seam." I actually don't have to wear my self-sewn examples to do that. I think inspiring people, as you point out, can play a larger role--letting them see they can create things they will want to wear. And you are so right--not everyone in the market for a sewing machine wants to make their own clothes! There are lots and lots of reasons people consider machines. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/capsule-rubrics-and-other-rules#post-1016418 Thu, 29 Aug 2013 01:43:24 +0000 unfrumped 1016418@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You are totally fab!<br /> My first response is you ought to stay Flexible and have Fun. Eatdrobe experimentation may spark even more confidence and creativity, which would lead you to sew more fab items. But maybe that does not give enough respect to the discipline you have created.<br /> I need more information. Would NOT wearing self- sewn items on some days have a major impact on that day's success with your clientele? Or do your demonstrations and expertise pretty much come through anyway, and in fact are most important? Sales are so interesting-- and I expect maybe you are selling different" things" depending on beginner, upgrader or whom. Or do you have some self- sewn items that especially showcase some features of the machines you want to emphasize ?<br /> I digress. ..<br /> Do you have enough outfits to get through a week comfortably?<br /> And the obvious-- try it and see how it feels. If it doesn't feel like " you" then go back to the Plan. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/capsule-rubrics-and-other-rules#post-1016406 Thu, 29 Aug 2013 01:34:52 +0000 Jaime 1016406@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Also am in love with the idea of your wearing your own clothes to your work. How perfectly inspiring to your customers! I think you should start with lining up your work worthy creations and make mini-capsules around each one. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/capsule-rubrics-and-other-rules#post-1016394 Thu, 29 Aug 2013 01:26:42 +0000 kellygirl 1016394@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>OMG, I couldn't get past the "sell sewing machines" statement. I have a question for you and am going to PM you if you don't mind.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/capsule-rubrics-and-other-rules#post-1016393 Thu, 29 Aug 2013 01:26:20 +0000 pil 1016393@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love that you wear your creations to work! Do you think you'll be able to give yourself permission to wear an entirely store bought outfit? How about creating a look book of pieces and fabrics for those days that you could show customers? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/capsule-rubrics-and-other-rules#post-1016376 Thu, 29 Aug 2013 01:09:05 +0000 Carla 1016376@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Besides my racing bicycle, my sewing machine and fabric shears are my most prized possessions. (I can understand why guys get so excited about tools!). </p> <p>Usually self made garments are the outfit makers, since the design and fabrication is usually something special--unlike jeans, and T-s. I love that you incorporate bought and bespoke items. That said, you shouldn't stress out about wearing an outfit that doesn't have a crafted garment. </p> <p>On the other hand, using a crafted outfit as a jumping off point for your fall capsule might be a fun project. Maybe a jacket, and pants or skirt, and top with some extreme pattern clashing--then mix and match items from your closet, and new purchases? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/capsule-rubrics-and-other-rules#post-1016358 Thu, 29 Aug 2013 00:35:12 +0000 Lisa 1016358@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think it is a great idea to work on mini capsules for life activities and work is a huge part of that.&nbsp; I would try out a small capsule first of maybe two bottoms and two tops inorporating items you self sewed.&nbsp; Then build on it from there.&nbsp; When you feel it has maxed out, just start a new capsule, again with items self sewn.&nbsp; One problem I was making with creating a cpasule, was trying to have maximum combinations, instead of accepting that maybe it's just a small capsule with only one or two variations.&nbsp; I can have multiple small capsules and still get the variety I need. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/capsule-rubrics-and-other-rules#post-1016349 Thu, 29 Aug 2013 00:28:09 +0000 Suz 1016349@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I admire your dedication and your desire to wear something you have made to sell sewing machines. I hope your employers appreciate your commitment! Because as a customer, I would. I would feel more comfortable talking with you, and more connected with you, and more inspired, and more hopeful that this purchase wasn't going to be a complete waste of my money.&nbsp;</p> <p>Having said that, I think it's a great idea to come up with a work capsule. <b>TRY</b> to include items you've made in each outfit...but if you absolutely need to make some outfits that don't include self-made items, that perhaps identifies a "sewing wardrobe hole." </p> <p>OR an interesting opening for conversation with your clients. For example, are there some <b>TYPES </b>of things you find it not worth your while to sew? Perhaps you could discuss that with them. Maybe being frank about the benefits of sewing along with the ...I want to say the heterogenous nature of your wardrobe, will give them similar permission to combine self-sewn and store-bought. And that could be very valuable.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/capsule-rubrics-and-other-rules#post-1016342 Thu, 29 Aug 2013 00:22:18 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1016342@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>In creating my first non-travel capsule this week, I focused on casual clothes, using the casual-capsule rubric Angie provided. Since my work wardrobe is pretty casual, some of my casual capsule outfits would be okay for my work. Our dress code stipulates NO jeans, sandals, bare shoulders, and probably some other things that I wouldn't wear to work anyway. </p> <p>I also follow a self-imposed rule when dressing for work: I like to wear <i>something that I've made</i> to work each day (since I sell sewing machines). I say "I like to," but I've become rather rigid about this little practice, and I feel almost compulsive about it. </p> <p>I'm wondering if I should try coming up with a work capsule for fall. I think it would be really helpful, since my first capsule attempt has given me a few outfits I know I can count on. If I do create a work capsule, should I try to make it conform to my self-imposed rule? Or try to be more flexible about it? And maybe (gulp) be more flexible about what I wear to work--as in, maybe go to work a day or two this year without wearing something I made? </p> <p>Getting dressed on work days can be a challenge for me, as I'm trying to consider what the day will bring temperature-wise, what I feel like wearing, and, oh yeah, how to work in something that I made. Sometimes I wonder if I make things too hard for myself. . . .</p> <p>Thanks for listening. I know some of you will have some great thoughts and insights to share.</p>