We invest a lot of time, money, effort and even sometimes frustration into the garments that we make. Are you loving what you sew? If not, then why? This subject has been on my mind because when the seasons change, I always take EVERYTHING out of my closet and do an inventory. I check to see what needs to be donated, what is showing signs of wear and tear, and what I feel like I need for the upcoming season. And upon doing this, I always discover different outfit combinations, like this one.
I'm at a place in my style where I love what's going on in my closet. When you can handpick everything from the pattern/design concept down to the last button, it really is amazing when you think about. You never have to settle for what someone else has selected and made available to you -- like RTW. The possibilities are endless!
I'm probably more of a fan of separates than I am of dresses. With separates, you have endless mixing and matching. They can be paired with different pieces and you always have a completely different look. And you'll always have something to wear!
I love the clothes you make, too:) I am trying to make more separates, but dresses tempt me more because I don't have that much in my closet that I love to mix and match yet.
ReplyDeleteI'd suggest starting with some basics (black pants, black pencil skirt, black a-line skirt, black sheath dress, a blazer) and keep adding. Thanks Angela!
DeleteLove the clothes and the headwrap. FIERCE!
ReplyDeleteThanks K. Nicole!
DeleteYes...I Love the clothes YOU make! Your creations are so well finished, better than some I see in the stores.
ReplyDeleteThanks My Kurves!
DeleteThis is a great thing to think about. I have recently wondered the same thing about my RTW clothes (if you don't love them, then why buy??). I have begun to take sewing more seriously in the past year. As I look at patterns for ideas, I realize that I have tended to go for RTW that is easiest to wear and haven't put much thought to my wardrobe choices. I love the idea of actually taking the time to 'define' my style. With that comes the idea of not wanting to have 'throw away' sewing projects. Those would be the ones where I meant well but ended up highlighting my still developing sewing skills :-) So, I guess this means starting off with sewing easy pieces for the upcoming season and phasing out the RTW pieces that no longer work for me.
ReplyDeleteI've gotten to a place where if I can't see myself wanting wear something over and over, I probably won't sew it. Thanks Beauty Lives!
DeleteI love the things you make too! I sometimes love the things I make, but other times they fall short of my hopes. My skill set isn't quite what I want it to be, but I keep trying :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Amy! And yes, just keep going!
DeleteI'm diggin' the stitched pleats on that skirt! I don't even think of leather skirts too often, but that would be a great addition to my fall wardrobe!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mimi!
DeleteAWESOMENESS ;)
ReplyDeleteOk that's my kind of outfit with head wrap toboot.Love eeeeet. Anyway I hope you don't mind I have saved it to go on SSB https://www.facebook.com/SassySewingBees Love head wraps. I wear one all the time as I have permanent bad hair days hehe.
ReplyDeleteHeadwraps keep me from wanting to shave my head in this humidity. Thanks Sassy T!
DeleteI've been going through my own closet too of late to see what I need, etc. My problem is I sometimes get too distracted by new patterns to get to the things I really need! LOL! But I'm trying to regain my focus, improve my techniques, and keep on going. You are a big inspiration for me to not only improve, but plan my projects better.
ReplyDeleteDenise, I completely feel you regarding the new pattern distraction! Thanks!
DeleteLoving this look from head to toe... I went and bought a few pieces of faux leather today and I can't wait to use them. The first thing on list is a skirt.
ReplyDeleteThanks Opal!
DeleteI am totally loving the clothes I make..every time I get dressed I feel like ME....and you're right, we never, ever have to settle for something when we can whip ups something awesome!..I love this outfit and your blog Erica!...thank you for sharing...your posts are always thought-provoking as well as stylish! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks MsKRS' Pink Stitches!
DeleteI am doing the same thing because I recently lost weight and have to try everything on. I am trying things on for fit and really looking at everything and noticing the flaws. I really don't like the mismatched plaids and striped on the skirts that my rtw garments have. At least when I do that on my sewn garments it is done in a thoughful way and looks nice. I am looking at things in a whole new light this year as I am going through my wardrobe. Funny you posted this.
ReplyDeleteLove your outfit BTW really suits you :)
Thanks abailey!
DeleteNothing makes me happier than looking in my closet and realizing that I made almost every single thing hanging there! As you said, we home sewers now are freed from letting RTW designers decide what colors, what styles we will wear! Even when I am less than thrilled with my results, the compliments from family and friends encourages me. Of course, I make mistakes - from pattern choice to fabric selection. But that happens when you are trying to expand your horizons and think outside the box. I get bolder every day -- and have accepted the fact that I may not always hit a home run!
ReplyDeleteAnd that's okay! The best thing is that you were open to trying something different! Thanks Cissie!
DeleteI love the clothes you make too, and I love the things I made for the reasons you mentioned. Besides the satisfaction of having actually MADE something, there´s the satisfaction of owning something unique, and above all, the satisfaction of always finding new ways of wearing the garments! I really want to start always wearing one piece of clothing I sewed, and in the future, whole outfits!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Heidi!
DeleteLove the outfit and everything else you make! I'm with you, I love the clothes I make too! I love the feeling of knowing that no one else will have same fabric and design ( more than likely). Add some compliments to the mix and the deal is sealed ; )
ReplyDeleteThanks Norie!
DeleteLove this post, very thought provoking. As I'm starting to get back into sewing more I have been working on items that I love to wear rather than something that is just easy to finish, just to say that I sewed something. You're one of the blogs that is an inspiration to me which encourages me to get into my sewing room more and work through my monstrocity of a stash LOL
ReplyDeleteThanks Levone!
DeleteSewing is such an art! My mom has made all of my formal dresses since I was a kid and when I wanted something new she would make it and it would look fabulous. Now I'm trying to learn! You look great!
ReplyDeleteOMG!! I was just talking about this with my husband!!! We were talking about completely overhauling our wardrobes! I think the two defining things that determine whether I love a garment I made or not are the fabric selection and how much time I put into perfecting it. I don't have as much money as I would like to splurge on fabric and so many times I would settle for a fabric just because its on sale. Ive decided I'm no longer doing that because I found that the items that I make with fabric I love, I take more care in construction and I wear them more often. So I'm not settling any more; when I see a fabric I have to have I'm getting it. In moderation of course ;)
ReplyDeleteI don't stash a lot of fabric. And I buy great fabric, one piece at a time.
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