2024 Plans (kind of lengthy)

Ket

I have plans for 2024. Settle in...

One thing I’ve gotten clearer about, thanks mostly to my fellow Fabbers here interjecting wisdom, is my need for some basics. So thank you all. I'm listening (Name that show.)

Basics for 2024:  
- Tights, 2-4 pairs in assorted dark colors Half slips, 1-3 in nude and a dark color (black likely, as that’s what is available) 
- Pants in fluid tailored fits, preferably polyester for inner thigh wear; probably tapered fits, with some fitting through hips but eased thighs.
- Skimmer shorts, to wear under summer dresses for comfort
- Bras!!! Earlier this month I tried a 38G, based on Reddit and ABTF calculations. WHEW! PAINFUL! The band was still far too snug. It was so painful I don’t know how I survived 5 minutes. The bra would have left blisters or puncture wounds on my chest had I tried enduring even half a day. The cups were also a bit too big. So I still have much more try-ons to go to find a good size. That said: WOW! The lift and shape were great! I need new bras.

Replacements for what was lost in the environmental issue:

-Winter booties, perhaps velvet, as I miss those most.

- Comfortable flats, whatever that means; still figuring it out.

- Alpaca/bison sock liners (they're 3-4x warmer than wool) for cute, non insulated cold weather shoes. They may not exist though; tbd.
- Possibly a fancy/dressy winter coat. Waiting to see if something finds me.

Makes for 2024.

I always dream for a new year with some trepidation. Usually I’m surprised if I knit more than 1-3 things from a planned list. Inspiration has to strike. The item must sing to my heart to such a degree that my heart swells with each refrain and I must just soak in the beauty. Also, sometimes I get lost in all the shiny things. A plan and a list helps me surface to air.

One recent help I saw is this: Make a list of 20 goals. Choose the top 5 from that. THAT is your list for the year. Everything else is white noise and should be dumped or ignored as intrusions. That is far too masculine an energy to truly sit well for me. I prefer to be in the chaos, the messiness, the disorder of creativity.

What I find a list helps me do is percolate. Do I really love that? If I do, somehow, I’ll make it. It will slowly or suddenly bob to the top and remain there, never leaving my brain.

I actually really want to take up sewing this year. FOR REAL. I have put it off for the last 20 years. It feels scary. I can always rip out failed knitting projects and reuse the yarn. Cutting fabric is permanent. And there are a zillion fittings and adjustments one can make.

Not going to make all of these! Let's be honest! LOL! I will choose the ones that speak to me and leave the rest for another season and time.

Inspiration for Summer: Italy, Spain, Blood orange, olive, vintage, Top Gun.

- Photo 1 Ruffled, ruched asymmetrical skirt.  Supposed to be easy sewing. We shall see!

- Photo 2 Peplum blouse.

- Photo 3 Bomber jacket dress.

- Photo 1 Off-shoulder vintage sweater.

- Photo 16 jumpsuit. Total wildcard! Will likely make this with the pegged/gathered leg variation, but kimono top.

  Inspiration for Autumn/Winter: Military. Moto/biker jacket. Chiffon dresses. 1940s and 1970s. Layers of texture and detail.

- Photo 4 and 5 Military Jacket . I'm not sure which one. The left one is far better shaped, almost tailored even. The one on the right feels more everyday wearable?

- Photo 6 and 7. Moto jacket. It's a chunky knit, which usually isn't my best sweater weight; I may have to figure out how to knit it in a lighter weight--or something.

- Photo 8 Belted cabled cardigan with patch pockets. I've been attracted to this design forever. I got a deep merlot yarn for it. The cables won't show as much. But I like the color and it will work a ton for everything.

- Photo 9 Cabled shawl collar vest. The vest that got the most votes on a post when I asked about vest. Likely will knit this in the same merlot yarn as the cabled cardigan.

- Photo 10 Wide v-neck sweater (LOVE the shape, worried about warmth in the winter; might get paired over a high neck chiffon blouse.)  

- Photo 11 Pencil skirt with belt tab details. Detail is not great on wide hips usually. But trying to decide if I care or not, as I love the detail and idea of it.

- Photo 12 Kimono jacket. Knit in a deep, warm forest green. An expensive knit, using birthday present yarn. I'm kind of delaying this to be sure of the sizing.

- Photo 13 Long cabled vest. Very 70s! I might also make this in a deep merlot yarn. I have 4200 yards of the stuff. This is not as high up on the list.

- Photo 14 1940s tea dress. I hope it's an easy sew hehe!

- Photo 15 Wide-leg pants/culottes. Supposed to be easy to sew and wear. Has good reviews. So I'm kind of eager to try. Hoping it looks like a nice maxi skirt on me. This might end up being a summer project.

Congratulations if you made it this far! WHEW I'm exhausted after typing it all haha!

₊˚⊹♡˚˖°.⊹ ࣪ ˖

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4 months ago

Shopping

14 replies

Latest reply was from Ket

Lee

Active Member

I just wanted to say I love your inspirations, 2024 sounds like a fun adventure.

4 months ago

Indigoprint

Veteran

A good "to do" list.
Will keep you busy along with your other responsibilities. My kids are all grown but when they were young it was more a challenge to keep up with "me" things so I feel like I understand what you are experiencing(especially the bra thing after childbirth and nursing)
I especially like the sweater #6... the back detail is so fine. #16 looks really good too, what are your thoughts on fabric/ color? It looks like it would be easy to assemble and Fab as an outfit so my vote goes to that!

4 months ago

Bijou

Veteran

I great analysis of where you want to go and amazing inspiration with gorgeous patterns selected. the culottes in picture 15 look like they would be perfect for summer.

I particularly like your goal of selecting 5 goals. Personally, I tend to pick only 2 for each year with the view that I need to commit and make it happen.

4 months ago

Roberta

Veteran

Having a set of pictures, a mood board, is a great idea in terms of setting your goals. I haven't done this for quite a while, and I think I'm going to do the same this year. Thank you so much for the idea!

4 months ago

Ket

Veteran

Lee, how very lovely of you <3 Thank you so much <3 I will be sharing my make there of course!

Indigoprint, oh I will be busy for sure ha! Between budget and time, I will be surprised if I knit/sew more than 1-2 items from my list. But I just wanted to know more. It's comforting to me that you remember this season of life. It's beautiful and hectic and so many things. I do really like #6 and have liked it a long time. My issue it's knit in a bulky weight yarn. I struggle with wearing bulky weight. Sometimes it works beautifully. Other times I feel a bit Michelin Man. So still not sure how to approach that one. The jumpsuit!! I'm actually excited about that one. I have to see what the fabric requirements are for it. But I would love to do a rayon, for the drape and breezy factor. Colors just depends on what is available. For summer, I tend to love blood orange, olive, coral, teaberry, toasted pinky-peachy-beige (not sure of the name), warm marine navy. But depends on what fabric and retail stores have.

Bijou, thank you!! I am excited about the culottes!! The review photos make me half worry and half excited they'll work on me. So we'll see. I think using a drapey fabric will be key. Goals... I feel 5 might be pushing it even for me haha! So I feel you. I also view these more like invitations or ideas? Something to keep me on target. However, they may get tossed back into the pile at the end of next year.

Roberta, oh yaaay!!! I would love to see your mood board if you ever care to share. I find boards so helpful... and I kind of burned out on them. Just revisiting them the past few months myself

4 months ago

SarahD8

Veteran

This is a very well thought-out list! I love the mix of things to make and things to buy, and I am super intrigued by the culottes....

4 months ago

Ginger

Veteran

I think that ABTF's guidelines are steered too far in the "make your band size smaller" direction; they're probably formed in opposition to the "add 4 inches" old advice! But it sounds like you're on the right track. I'd go up a band size to 40, and down a cup size to F (for the sister size) or to DD/E (for a size smaller cup). It does depend somewhat on brand, since there are a few that tend to run small in the band. Herroom has great fitting guides on specific models.

4 months ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oooh, your inspiration board is lovely. All the items you show illustrate a sense of drama and some interesting detailing -- these are features that run across all the images, however disparate in other ways.

Stocking up on basics can be boring, but wow, does it make a difference. You will feel better dressed when you get the foundation set, so to speak. And I realize it is hard. I'm a hard to find/ fit bra size, too and am limited in shopping options. As Ginger says, brands differ enormously and even specific styles within a brand can differ considerably.

I like your idea of picking 5 goals. I tend to keep very limited goals in several areas of my life -- usually in fashion it is only a one or two. But some years (if fashion itself is a priority area) more than that.

4 months ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Such a fun post to read and peruse, Ket! You are full of creative ideas, ambitious intentions, delightful thought processes, DIY energy, and good spirits. Love that

Percolating and processing in this way provides a solid frame of reference that we can use consciously - or subconsciously. It's time well spent when we are finding our stylish way, especially when it's fun and energizing. Which is it for you!

I'm with Suz - making sure that wardrobe basics and essentials are in place might not be fun - yet they make a HUGE effective difference when creating outfits that work. Good to see them get some attention!

I prefer a shorter list of goals too! I'm down to three for fashion and style this year - plus my word and colour for the year. Stay tuned.

4 months ago

Anonymous

Great inspirations for you! I'm jealous of your ability to knit and sew Too many things I want to learn, not enough time to do them :/

4 months ago

Ket

Veteran

SarahD8, I'm intrigued by the culottes. Also nervous, Typically I don't do well in wide legs. I feel I'm better in a tapered leg line. But it does look more like a skirt. So maybe it will work....

Ginger, ooooh! That makes a lot of sense with the band. I think I might try a DD/E40 next time. the cups were just too big, especially with one breast. (I'm a bit lopsided, yay.) I will also check out her HerRoom! I would love to find some good fitting bras that also feel good. Thank you so much for your help on this!

Suz, you have such a great eye! I didn't realize there was interesting detailing in nearly all the things I chose. The drama I kind of picked up on; it seems inherent to me. But the details is a good reminder not to go too plain with an outfit. I have begun stocking my basics and will report back -- hopefully soon. I do know basics can make such a difference. For some reason, I can avoid buying them for far too long. A bit like changing the burned-out lightbulb... It's not that hard. It makes such a difference. Why do we avoid and wait for so long? ha!

Angie, thank you for such kind and encouraging words <3 I really do feel I've beginning to find a groove. BTW... word and color of the year?! Oh I can't wait to hear more! I have often chosen a word for the year, but not a color. (I suppose I worry a color will feel too boxed in to me.) I will report back on my basics.

Suntiger, if I'm honest, I probably have way too much going ha! But it sure is fun. It keeps me busy. My mind likes challenge and keeping busy. I'm currently attempting to learn bass guitar -- something out of my 30+ years of piano-playing comfort zone.

3 months ago

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

I think we're similar in that chaos and creativity rules most of my decisions (even if I don't realise it at the time), lol...

For alpaca socks, I know Peruvian Connection do them (they have a USA specific website as well as their UK one), but man are they pricey! Just another brand to add to your chaotic creative mind-board (like a moodboard but in your head - or heart)

3 months ago

April

Veteran

Ket, I think it's wonderful that you recognize in yourself an embrace of messy creativity. My workshop (mostly for paper arts) is generally a hot mess, but the most creative person I know - a working artist - says, "I LOVE a mess!" He gets more inspired by piles of chaos, whereas I'm more of a "sort and print a label" type.

Those military jackets are swoon-worthy, as are the sweater-jackets. I had not heard of sock liners - interesting. And a huge yes to Angie's comment about essentials: boring to buy but SO freeing to have.

Keep us posted!

3 months ago

Ket

Veteran

Zaeobi, I love how you phrase that about chaos and creativity! We are definitely similar in that. Oh Peruvian Connection!! They featured a belted cardigan some years ago. I still have it pinned for inspiration!! They tend to be pricey. But I would say they're actually on target for alpaca sock prices. In fact, they have some pairs half off right now for $12/pair. A relative steal! So I may have to snag a pair or two....

April, oh I love that you're into paper arts!! They are so beautiful <3 I have a collage magnet from an artist on my fridge. I've had it for 15 years; I still love it. My sister a fine artist. I have observed a lot of diversity over the years in her artist community. Some very much prefer to label and sort. Others leap into chaos and messes with wild abandon. It's interesting to see the differences. Re: military jacket: I will let you know! I am still waiting for the seller to ship it. I'm kind of getting a little nervous they're sick or no longer tending their account. Hoping I don't have to wait several weeks just to cancel... I really would love the jacket. We shall see...

3 months ago

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