I’m planning to replace all of my clothes with handmade (by me) clothes. For now I’m only replacing garments that can be sewn. I will keep my sweaters and socks. This is what I have made so far: 4 A-line skirts, 2 pairs of pants including the jeans shown at left, 5 tops, and an assortment of un-wearable failures. The pants have been the most successful. I love pants. I know what they require to be good. I have avoided owning skirts for most of my life, so my unfamiliarity may be related to the lack of success I have had in this area. They really are useless garments. Why not wear a dress? Then you can avoid the issue of finding a compatible top. No more skirts. The tops I’ve made are ok. Much improvement is needed. I’m also working on a jacket. There’s a major problem with the sleeve right now.
Here is a reason to sew. I feel really good when I’m around things I’ve made. Mainly this has been painting and home-decorating, so I like to be at home. By sewing I can create things that will be with me always. This might encourage me to get out more. I also like the process of sewing. It is nicely divided into boring, peaceful tasks (ironing & cutting), shopping (for fabric & patterns), creating (sketching ideas & making designs), and problem solving (why don’t sleeves ever fit into armholes?)
9 comments:
WOW! What a cool blog. I hope that you'll make a wardrobe for me as well.
The idea of living with the handmade is so appealing--so perhaps if I sew (knit, crochet, weave) something to wear, it will soothe (cure?) my minor agoraphobia? This is a well-written and thoughtful blog--hand-made kudos to you!
I don't think you mentioned your intentions as far as panties go... Are you planning on keeping the readymades or are you going to make those too? I still have iron-on photo tranfers!
I remember having this amazing conversation with Jeanne Dunning in grad school about surrounding yourself with the things you make is the most comforting and human thing, but it is also the most embarrassing thing. It sounds so seductive to be surrounded by the homemade, but I also worry I could progress down that slippery slope from eccentric to just plain crazy. But good luck to you!
I don't generally mention my intentions as far as panties go. I do plan to make my own, but it's at the end of the list. They used to make patterns for undergarments. I've even seen entire books written about sewing underwear from the 70s. Are people still trying to make their own, or have they given up on this completely?
Keiler, you are very brave. I think people give up on making undergarments because I feel like most people can find some sort of comfortable alluring panties. I have an amazing book from my mom from the late sixties all about making your own clothes without patterns and there is a whole section on undergarments. It sounds as though it is written by someone who has no formal training in sewing and they suggest things like sitting on a piece of paper and "tracing your form." Yes, there are diagrams. It's wonderful. It makes sewing fun.
PS - why don't blog comments have spellcheck the way that email and publishing software do? I think that would greatly improve the blogosphere (Your spelling and grammar are great by the way - it's mine I'm concerned about.
keiler, i love this blog. i'm excited about this venture, and for your new machine! i can't wait to see all of the new projects and learn from you during the process. i also feel lucky to be a recipient of your give-away clothes. thanks. and by the way, that highwaisted skirt that was once a pair of shorts is hot! you MUST leave the house in that!
Underwear patterns including bras are available from Kwiksew.com and possibly Stretch and Sew (don't know their url). Panties aren't too hard to make, and can use up little scraps left over from making knit tops; all you need is some underwear elastic.
Good luck!
ps - I don't make panties, but I do knit my own socks :-)
Keiler, I'm enjoying reading your blog. Your writing is wonderful and your sewing is inspiring!
Hi! I am so pleased I stumbled upon your blog. I am a professor of art, I am trying to advance my sewing and make myself a new wardrobe and I love your taste and stile, too. I was looking on advice how to sew myself a pair of jeans and thus came upon your blog. I think I'll be coming again :) Keep on sewing.
Greetings from Olivera from Novi Sad, Serbia, Europe
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