Good Day all my good people. I hope July was pleasant and ya’ll had a chance to get out and enjoy the weather…. 

Todays update is about my wardrobe… (this will be cross posted on https://lucky-7-studios.com)

1 year ago (last August 2020) I made the decision I was not going to purchase any new or used clothing for a whole year (that is 365 days or 12 months or 52 weeks). If I wanted new clothes I had to make them (undergarments and socks excluded). I succeeded in this endeavor for the most part. Last Summer, it was friggin hot… and I have like a humungous garden and I was in it ALL the time. I had one pair of shorts I could wear – so I bought another pair. I did not purchase any other clothes until we were getting close to going to Georgia. My jeans that I have been wearing for many years (another story coming – see below) well, they look like the ones you spend hundreds of dollars on to get the “worn” look. Well, I obtained that look without the hundreds of dollars. I also purchased a few tank tops to wear under my other shirts. 

So what clothes did I make? I made two dresses, one I have worn (its green and it’s a wrap dress), the other not yet – its white with beautiful flowers and very flowy (its made out of Rayon Challis). I made a 6-panel slate grey skirt (its beautiful – pattern I made too – fits me awesome). I made a button down shirt – its light blue with stripes. I made a custom couture (yes that is what I said – couture) black and while plaid skirt – living on a farm and not going far (you know CoVID and all…) rather difficult to wear – but I am starting to be out in the world again… I made a silk slip with beautiful lace accents around the top and the straps. I made a beautiful dress to wear for Christmas – but it needs some alterations – this is what happens when you do not make a muslin, toile, or rough draft to work out all the not going to fit construction issues. So it has been basted for the alterations – but it takes a second person to zip up the back – next time I am going to put the zipper somewhere else – being a dressmaker – this I can do. I also made a pair of skirt overalls/bibs/dungarees… 

My Jean Jacket and Sweater – I made last spring – early. I made this beautiful skirt – with butterflies … it is in stretch denim – and the way I am built – without suspenders I don’t think it will stay up for long – suspenders might actually be cool…. Hmmm…. I made a button down early last spring also… I wear it EVERYWHERE!

I made a rose colored kind of like a shift dress – but, the fabric (it is a jersey type knit) is too heavy and not very flattering for a shape like mine. 

I currently have a denim skirt on my table that is calling my name to be sewn – patch type pockets and front button up. I have the mock up of a Classic French Jacket for myself needing to be adjusted and tried again. The most important lesson for dressmakers – make a muslin, toile, mock up – this will save endless hours and a LOT of money!

I almost forgot – I did make a tailored blazer with the most beautiful light green linen and silk lining… I was hoping to have it completed for my trip to Georgia –  even worked on it while we travelled… but alas, it is on my mannequin awaiting the final top stitching. 

So… why such a crazy thing – only make my own. There are a handful of reasons, let me count them for you:

1. I get to choose the fabric! Even denim from Denmark (that is what I said)
2. I get to pick the colors, notions, etc… 
3. I make a mock up once, and I can use the same pattern over and over in different fabrics and colors and etc…. 
4. The garment is made to fit me, yes, me and only me and no one else but me! 
5. It saves me money in the long run
6. It keeps me from purchasing something because well, who doesn’t need like a gazillion something or other (insert what it is that you spend all your money on – garments).
7. It allows me to be a little more cohesive in my wardrobe. 

I have been slowly removing clothes that do not fit and probably never will again from my 2 (yes I said 2) closets. Who doesn’t have two closets full of clothes (ok, well if they were all in the same room – might be one walk in full)? Anyway, … So I have been looking more at being cohesive – a capsule type wardrobe if you will… And adding more dresses and skirts – I want to be more feminine and treated like a lady (and I want to be the change I want to see)… Doesn’t mean 100% skirts/dresses… but at least 2 or 3 times a week. 

To help me see what I do wear and what I do not (even though I can look at my closet and tell you pretty much) – I have decided to sketch every single day of August what I wear. For example, yesterday, I wore two different pair of jeans, (I had to go to town) put a sweater on later in the day and in the middle somewhere I think I might even have had shorts on. Farm life! 

As I get older, I want to simplify and minimalize where I can. And I do NOT need half the clothes that I have… it is so hard to donate some of them… they are so beautiful and well… I quit smoking in Dec 2017 and put weight on that I do not believe will ever ever go anywhere – therefore the beautiful clothes in my closet will be donated as I make new clothes that fit me, my shape, my comfort level etc…