Closet Auditions beginning at 4pm today!

I have to admit that last night was the LAST straw! Frankly, I love moments like these, not so much for all of the frustration they generate, but how they force me to face my frustrations and create a plan to deal with or remedy them. Last night I just stood in my closet glaring at my clothes unable to find anything to wear for church on today. Ok, this may look like a minor problem but it was magnified considering I'd had that same problem several times this month already. At this point the picture was PRETTY CLEAR!  And it wasn't until my mind drifted back to a magazine article I read on last week did I make the connection.

The July issue of Lucky had a pretty cool article entitled "45 Days of New Outfits: How to Remix your closet". This article showed 19 pieces and how they were mixed and matched to create 45 different outfits which could take you through Summer and into Fall.

(Here are the 19 pieces.....)

(...some of the outfit ideas.....)

(.....and some more. Not all 45 are featured but you get the point!)

I personally wasn't a fan of all the pieces and outfit combos, which is understandable since it wasn't a reflection of my style. But I do LOVE the point this article demonstrated. A wardrobe filled with great interchangeable pieces will definitely yield tons of outfit options. In my post just a few months ago I excitedly discovered my style and decided to only sew/buy items I felt that embodied my simple, effortless, and feminine style. I SO want getting addressed for ANY occassion to be EFFORTLESS!!!


So I've decided to revamp my closet---beginning with a GOOD PURGE! If I have any current pieces, with the exception of a few dresses, that can't be worn at least 3 different ways then it's got to GO!!!! In addition to that everything I sew has to not only fit into the "fun, simple, effortless, and simple categories" but it also has to be versatile. If I can plan 3 different outfits with it then I'm allowed to make it (of course special occasion dresses are exceptions to this rule). So everything that makes it into my closet has to audition first!!!! Trust me this isn't the first time I've thought about creating a versatile wardrobe but I have to admit it's the only time I've gotten drastically serious about it!!!

I've already started my purging and I feel GREAT!!! As things are heading to my church's clothing store I'll also get to work on planning some versatile pieces I can sew up and /or purchase. This may be a bit much, but I hope to create a chart of all my pieces so at a glance I'll know what I can mix and match. For the record I don't want alot of pieces (my emphasis isn't on quantity) but I want pieces I can get alot of use out of!!!! Whew.....breathing a sign of relief.....I love my new strategy and I look forward to making my wardrobe woes a thing of the past!!!

BTW got a quick 2 part question for you. Is having a versatile wardrobe important to you? If so, what steps do you take to accomplish this? I'd love to hear your thoughts!!!

Coats on the Brain/ New Simplicity Patterns

As a follow up to my last post I went on the hunt for knitting yarn for a project I hoped to undertake while I was out of town for the weekend celebrating Christmas with family. Well I went to Hancock's to find the yarn but had no luck. I refuse to take on any other knitting project so I'm putting this one on hold until I can figure out how to get the yarn I want for a better price. I may have to wait for a sale. No problem--- I'll wait for a little while if it means it saves me a little mullah.

Anywho, while I was a Hancock's I couldn't help but notice the 50% off sale on tons of fabric, coating in particular. Then I spotted 2 pieces of fabric that would make awesome coats. You see I've recently taken an interest in coats since I realized I don't own too many of them. I've decided that I want a few additional stylish coats---- you know to match the stylish clothes I'm trying to make. Hey you have to have options to be stylish, don't you (wink)! Seriously, my wardrobe is lacking a black dressy coat and maybe a casual coat and something a little in between. Well I think the 2 fabrics I spotted will help me on the casual and "in-between" end. Here's the fabrics I bought and the patterns I've paired with them.....

The picture doesn't do this fabric justice but it's a sherpa fabric with lime suede. It's the lightest yet spunkiest color and it would be perfect with my skin tone. For this coat I'd only want something simple and would love to have the sherpa collar and cuffs visible.---like in this picture here.....

or like this one.....

Here's the other fabric....

 Sorry for the bright pattern pic. But this fabric is equally lovely and is a poly/rayon/spandex blend. The weight is perfect for a double breasted coat. I  have exactly 2 yds, which is what this pattern requires so I'm cutting it close.

So I'm happy I found the coat fabrics. I've got so many things lined up to sew and if I can at least get one of these done I'd be a happy woman. Tailoring a coat is a bit of an involved process and I am still very much a novice. We'll see what happens.....

But just as I'm geared up to do a little more winter sewing, Simplicity releases it's Spring patterns to remind me that the change of season is right around the corner. I was happy to pick up these looks.....

Here are the casual looks. I love how stylish the rolled and tabbed sleeves and hemlines are.

Here are the fancier one's!!! So pretty!!!

Ok, that's it for now.....I've got some more cooking/planning/packing to do. Happy "Eve" of Christmas Eve!

10,000 Hour Sewing Challenges: March & April 2010 Goals

It took me a week but I was finally able to round up a new set of sewing projects. For some reason it took a little while for the creative juices to flow for me to settle upon some good ideas.  Nevertheless, I'm SUPER EXCITED about my new goals.  Here are the "pool of patterns" I plan to pick from to create my 6-10 garment by the end of April.  They are....

 

(Just have to add the zipper and this top is ready for review)

  

 (This dress is cut out and is next in line to be sewn)

(Here is the "pool of patterns" in which I'll pull some of my remaining projects from unless I get some new ideas or new patterns)

 (I still want to squeeze in a pair of jeans and possibly another pair of these Jalie trousers(I loved my first pair of trousers).)

Here's my pool of fabrics as well.....

 

(Lots of colorful poplin prints for tops and dresses.......)

  

 (Denim and bottom-weight fabrics for capri's and jeans)

 

(2 polyester prints that I can't wait to sew with.)

In addition to these above sewing projects I have to sew Easter dresses for my daughter, Goddaughter, and myself. I haven't even decided on patterns yet but I'm working on it asap.

The next 2 months are going to be a super busy month and I'm going to cram as many sewing project that I can into them. I wasn't super satisfied with my progress from January & February's sewing challenge so I feel I've got to push my limits just a bit. Thanks in advance for following along with me and keep your fingers crossed for me!!!

New Simplicity / McCall Summer patterns & Past Due Butterick patterns

Although the Butterick Spring patterns made their debut a few weeks ago, I've been waiting for them to go on sale so I can pick them up from JoAnn's or Hancock. So they're currently on sale at Joann's and I plan to pick them up on tomorrow. Well I just found out that Simplicity and McCall's just released their early Summer patterns. Wow, this is getting crazy and I have so many patterns to pick up now. Gotta love those $.99 & $1.99 sales.

There are way too many patterns that I want but I'm just too lazy to post. I'll post them after I actually purchase them (I don't want to jinx myself---LOL). But here are just a few of the looks from each company that I'm really feeling!

Simplicity--- Early Summer

 (I don't even have to explain this one--it's so cute!  I feel like squealing with delight when I see this pattern!)

(I'm feeling brave enough to wear a jumpsuit so I'd like to take a stab at making this one. It looks so comfortable, especially in a knit!)

McCall's Early Summer patterns--- I'm not so crazy with new patterns but I was able to found a few I liked---here are two of those.

M6072

 

 (Love the crop dress with the leggings. Something tells me leggings will be a big part of my Summer!)

M6078

 

(I like the back on the far right top!)

Butterick Spring Patterns---once again I'm too not crazy with the new line but I was able to sift through and find some that I liked.

B 5450

(All 3 of these looks are perfect for me. I'm loving the short and long tunics. I can just imagine them in beautifully printed poplin fabrics!)

B5469

(I'm liking the brown jacket view--- a cute, short sleeved jacket, with neat pockets!)

These are just a few of the patterns I have on the radar. I'm still in the middle of planning my March/April Challenge wardrobe. Not to worry, I've already got started on the challenge and am currently working on a cute yellow top. By the week's end I'll have a better idea of the 8 or so items I want to sew and will post them.

Style Inspiration

Thumbing through a friend's old Oprah magazine, I ran across some outfits that were simply gorgeous. The lovely actress, Paula Patton is modeling them. I've included the Oprah magazine descriptions so you can read all the details. I'll definitely add these to my Inspiration and Knock-off file. I'd love to recreate these looks in the future.

I really love this look. This pic doesn't do it justice. Check out http://mythandritualclothing.com/2008fall/07.html to see the different textures & fabrics in these pieces. I love the blending of wool and silk trim in blue and gray below. The New Blue
…is a deep, bright navy, flattering on a whole spectrum of skin tones. Textural contrast is built right in to the easy-fitting wool smock top and skirt, both with silk trim (Myth and Ritual, $224 and $264). Pile on extra gloss with square-toed patent leather flats (Dolce & Gabbana). "I'm really into pieces," Paula says, explaining that when you mix and match, "you can make a dollar out of a dime and a nickel." Earrings, Tiffany & Co. Bracelet, Cartier.

Flowers That
…bloom in...the fall? Here's proof absolute that floral prints aren't just for spring—and that shine can work anytime: A slim pencil skirt with cloudy purple blossoms instantly becomes autumn-friendly when it's warmed up with a camel cashmere crewneck (Michael Kors, $995 and $795). Although this sweater isn't traditional—it's got an exposed zipper in back—you can do the texture-mixing thing with any old solid-color knit. A bow-shaped clutch (Valentino) and discreet gold jewelry (brooch, Rosello S.A.; bangles, Cartier) keep the gleam going. Belt and shoes, Michael Kors.

A Tweed Dress
…(Liz Claiborne, $139) is the perfect work staple—very trendy at this leg-flattering, knee-skimming length. The shine here comes entirely from accessories: diamond studs (Tiffany & Co.), a silver leather belt crawling with gold-plated alligators (Terry Stack), and glossy red heels (Dolce & Gabbana). "You don't have to spend a lot to get something special," says Paula, whose secret weapon is tailoring—the right fit makes an inexpensive piece look terrific. (She also "reinvents" dated clothes with alterations.)

Looking at some of these prices aren't you so glad you can sew!!!!