One thing I always, but always get out of me-made months is that I have loads of clothes…. loads. It’s slightly embarrassing. I start out the month pep-talking to myself firmly that I am just going to wear whatever takes my fancy and am not going to avoid double-ups; and I do the former, but somehow the latter just happens too…. I dunno why, the silly female self-consciousness about not wanting to appear in the same thing over and over, I suppose. It is silly. I’ve worn nearly all different clothes with only one double-up so far*, and that was only because I was after a certain “look”, not because I had run out of un-shown things.
I think maybe I need to do a clean-out… but for a must-wear-it-til-it’s-got-a-hole-in-it person like me that’s so hard!
These pieces are both old, but are comfy and weather appropriate. They’ve both been useful basics in my wardrobe for years.
I had to go into the city today. velosewer might recognise my photo spot… I propped my camera on that bench in her background here!
min 13C, max 24C, fine
Details:
Top; my own design, made from a pair of old 3/4 length, charcoal linen mix pants, details here
Skirt; Vogue 7303 lined, ivory wool mix, pre-dates my blog but first seen here
Shoes; Perrini, had for years
the Family MMM13 report: Tim wore this jacket today
Tim’s jacket; Burda 7767 modified, grey corduroy, details here and my tutorial for sewing that welt/patch double pocket here
*fyi, the double-up is my ivory curtaining skirt, seen here and here this month.
I completely understand. I have seriously thought about joining the last couple of 'Me Made' events, but the fact that I would be wearing the same things over and over and posting about it pretty much stopped me cold. I sort of participate, but I don't join and I certainly don't advertise it.
You look great. I feel like I have to cull my clothes too but when?
Now why did I blink in that pic. How embarrassment:)
Your photography is wonderful – as always.
Dear Carolyn, I thought about you and the amounth of your wardrobe you have presented. It is a very big pile of beautiful garments, but still, do you really need all of them. If you have that push out need for sewing, why dont you open a studio or why dont you sell your creations? It would be a creative, but also usefull. I am of those persons who do not like to own a lot, but like to be nicely dressed. You are not wearing your red dress??? No pictures of it? Good wishes, Maja (Serbia)
Thank you Maja, and that is a nice idea but I really don't think anybody would be interested buying anything I had made! You are right, I should wear my red dress more. It is kind of dressy, and there hasn't been a dressy enough occasion for it this month, yet 🙂
Anyway, it is (for me) very fresh to see anything you have handmade. You have gold hands. I know and like from my early childhood (I am 53) all sorts of sewing, crocheting and knitting, by for a person staying out in office, it is impossible to be creative in the way you are. All the best, Maja
Might be old but looks current. Nothing wrong with a wardrobe fully of beautiful me-mades
You are so right – MMM always reminds me what an embarrassment of riches I have in my closet. You look chic, as always. And I love the background.
Your top is amazing – I was eagerly reading the details to find out which Japanese pattern book it came out of! Best refashion ever.
I am the opposite to you (at the moment!). Various things have led to me having a pretty minimal wardrobe but one can take this too far, too (see the MMM pics on my blog!). I think I may be in the fortunate position of not having quite enough! At least the only sweat that has gone in to your clothes is your own 😉
By the way love your top. I adore square necklines!
Philippa; thank you! and definitely, I am my very own sweatshop 😉
Ha, I don't really have enough clothes for MMM, or at least not the right kind, so I'm just trying not to wear the same thing two days in a row!
I suppose a closet full of clothes is the reward for learning to sew. My aunt had closets and shelves and a garage lined with racks of clothes. There does come a point when it gets a bit silly. I don't know any one who doesn't have more clothes than they need. The difference for you, I'm guessing, is that most of yours are well made, from nice fabrics, as opposed to some of the sloppy stuff I see people wearing (and I confess I do have a few of those items, but not many). I tend to wear my clothes until they are ratty or until they are so out of style they are embarrassing, so I appreciate your dilemma. You might be surprised about the sale-ability of your clothing. I know of a blogger / sewer who sold her whole wardrobe:
http://pleasantviewschoolhouse.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/a-handmade-wardrobe-for-sale.html
Oh,and here's anotehr blogger who sells her surplus, though it is not handmade:
http://www.unefemme.net/search/label/Emotional%20Baggage
Both pieces are beautiful! You always look lovely.
Another great outfit. Love that top. Very stylish.
Sheesh! What is with all the fabulous backgrounds – it makes the rest of us look bad!? I take it you use a timer? Do you use a tripod as well to get the angle?
Lovely clothes (of course) – maybe you could take us on a tour or your closet one day??? 🙂
Twotoast; thank you! I have a remote control for my camera and usually use a tripod too, but for this photo I just sat my camera on a handy bench 🙂
When you value your clothes (and I'm sure you do, since you have made them with your own hands) then I wouldn't worry about the quantity! It's a totally different thing than having a closet full of throwaways. There is a history to each piece. Of course if I don't like it or it doesn't fit right, out it goes!
Wow, you make timeless pieces out of wonderful fabrics that last forever. However, if you are tired of or done wearing that shirt you can slip it into a little box and ship it straight to Texas, I promise to find a real good home for it here if you really have too many clothes.
An affliction that I aspire to.
I too thought that I didn't have enough clothes to make it through MMM, but its amazing how many you find in your wardrobe that you can dig out.
Just curious, how many years do you get out of a garment before you do finally wear it through? MM clothes last for eternity compared to anything that you can purchase, yours are quite timeless.
PS, I have been turned away at Goodwill because my clothes had no size labels. They asked what size and I said 'my size' and tried to estimate for them.
You have worn some amazing outfits over the past week and they are all you. Don't worry about repeats, my skirts will be seen many times during the month.
I was just telling Carolyn at Diary of a Sewing Fanatic about this:
I went to Clothes Mentor yesterday to turn in some RTW clothes after working on my closet clean out. The sales girl said, "Wow, you must have a LOT of clothes!" So, at first, I felt like I needed to be apologetic or something, and then quickly said, "In fact, I do. I love clothes, I love wearing them and I love playing around with fashion. I do little else with my money so at this stage of my life, if having and wearing beautiful clothes gives me a kick, then I shall have and wear beautiful clothes!"
And I guess you can't change that about me..in my blood….along with fabric and patterns!
Oh Carolyn, don't get rid of any of your beautiful clothes. Okay, you say you have a lot. So what. Keep them, love them, enjoy them, and use them to make the rest of us jealous, oops I mean use them to inspire the rest of us. 😎
I agree, Carolyn that you should not get rid of your clothes! You have such a knack for combining your garments so creatively. I love your posts featuring one garment worn six different ways 🙂
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