tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-222122132024-03-07T21:33:26.417-05:00Fibres and Fashion in the Fastlaneramblings from a fibre fashionista who loves
knitting, sewing, fashion, doll making...Boppingbeth (aka Beth or Elizabeth)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16615987747725943362noreply@blogger.comBlogger135125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22212213.post-14511217753369158832020-12-26T21:59:00.000-05:002020-12-26T21:59:35.235-05:00Christmas PJs<p>Everyone has traditions around the holidays. In our family it is the yearly Christmas pjs. </p><p>This year I used two patterns for our yearly pjs: the Patterns for Pirates pj pants pattern (free! And awesome) and the Blank Slate Blanc tee (free if you are a member of their Facebook group or if you purchase another pattern of theirs). These are really doll clothes patterns. Super simple shapes, minimal finishing of you use a serger, and easy to make multiples. </p><p>Eldest got the shorts version of the pants and the short sleeve version of the tee because her apartment runs warm. I made flannelette long pants in a funky science print for youngest with a short sleeve tee, and added a pair of flannelette shorts in a hearts and skulls print for fun. Adopted child got long knit pants and a pair of shorts from the science print. I got long pants and a short sleeve tee. I lived dangerously and added a seam on the pants for fun. </p><p>What are your holiday sewing traditions? Do you sew gifts or just hope to get through sewing for yourself?</p>Boppingbeth (aka Beth or Elizabeth)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16615987747725943362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22212213.post-63459997156867653382020-12-26T21:41:00.000-05:002020-12-26T21:41:14.072-05:00A perfect wardrobe formula?<div>Wardrobe planning according to the ‘experts’ is one of those odd things where the list comes before real life. You all know what lists I am talking about. The ones that start ‘every closet should have a coloured blazer, white pants and this printed blouse. Or two tops, two bottoms in colour, the same in colour b, then mix and match prints. I’m not saying mix and match is bad; I just think that starting with a generic must have list misses the point. The way to plan a functional wardrobe is not to blindly follow a random list some dude came up with that has nothing to do with you, your life, your style and your current reality. </div><div><br /></div><div>Realistic wardrobe planning comes down to one question: What do you really wear?</div><br /><div>What do you put on at o’dark o’clock when you are stumbling for the coffee and then out the door? Is it the silk blouse with the wool and cashmere skirt or the comfortable but slightly dressy tee with the nice pants? Are you putting on a uniform? A suit? Sweats and a tee as your kids run for the bus? I have spent years researching wardrobe planning. I am going to say this right out: there is not a magic formula. No perfect number of items or perfect list someone else came up with. You need to make the things you want to wear for the life you have. </div><div><div><br /></div><div>A perfect wardrobe plan is the one that helps you stand blearily in front of you closet and walk away ready for the day, day in and day out. If you are a CEO, your closet is going to be full of suits. If you are a park ranger, your closet is going to be full of clothing suitable for the rugged outdoors. If you are a teacher, you are going to have that soft creative look at me twist so your job is easier. If you live in Canada where there is snow and rain and sleet, you are going to need more coats than someone who lives on the sunny coast of Australia. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>SWAP, sewing with a plan, started on the sunny coast of Australia, where multiple layers are not needed for a dressy office life. A winter coat suitable for -30c was never on the formula list. My life and the climate I live in changes the lists that would make the perfect wardrobe formula.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you are new to wardrobe planning, start with where you are now. </div><div><br /></div><div>First, take a picture of what you are wearing every day for a month. Make a list of all the things you do-the every day regular and the not so regular (funeral? Black tie awards ceremony?). Figure out your comfortable ideal- what outfits and proportions make you forget your clothing and focus on the tasks? </div><div><br /></div><div>Then figure out what is missing. What are your wardrobe holes? The funeral dress? The nice suit for an interview? Jeans that do not have holes? Dressier tops for those endless zoom meetings? Those are where you should start when you plan your sewing. </div><div><br /></div><div>Sewing, when done well, slides effortlessly into the life you have right now. </div><div><br /></div>Boppingbeth (aka Beth or Elizabeth)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16615987747725943362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22212213.post-35903168096861118362020-02-02T14:46:00.003-05:002020-02-02T14:46:57.735-05:00Updates (and bad pictures)Apparently, changing from a level up plan to a real life plan is good for production. I’ve made, and fixed, the maxi dress. I’ve made a casual dress using a stashed black with daisies dress that I do not remember buying (hmmm—how long has that been in the personal fabric story??). I also made a third black dress that had its challenges. <br />
<br />
Bwahaha, yes—challenges. That is what we will call them. Challenges. Ever tried to deal with an air threading serger that has a blocked channel? Enough said. <br />
<br />
Dress 1: (I have no idea why the picture is sideways):<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6g_kMH7ywG_KdpJun2XeXeES-AJ2GV523ZNgIi0OfT99tRacuKnPgSTrKjULfY-ShCmiQeco_jYwTfK7xvpojk8viu4sYDmSpakmWusoGtfaQXZ6rBnlD8d_BX6S84YFuMdE/s1600/70AB7A9B-4275-402C-B8FE-B386654766E6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6g_kMH7ywG_KdpJun2XeXeES-AJ2GV523ZNgIi0OfT99tRacuKnPgSTrKjULfY-ShCmiQeco_jYwTfK7xvpojk8viu4sYDmSpakmWusoGtfaQXZ6rBnlD8d_BX6S84YFuMdE/s320/70AB7A9B-4275-402C-B8FE-B386654766E6.jpeg" title="" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maxi dress, crossover empire bodice, three quarter sleeves.<br />Rayon poly Lycra fabric. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I’m cloning a brown dress that fits me perfectly that I don’t wear because it is brown and it doesn’t have pockets. This took 2 m of rpl. I used a free dress pattern from the blog: itsalwaysautumn. I’m lucky to be the same size and I have the same life vibe. I shortened the suggest skirt length 6” and the bodice length an inch. I lengthened the sleeve to three quarters, and added pockets to the skirt. Love it, feels like wearing pjs.<br />
<br />
Dress 2: (why is my selfie sideways?)<br />
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<br />
This is the same pattern, just below knee length, in a printed mystery knit crepe. Not yet hemmed though I did wear it at school already. I need to learn to use my cover stitch machine before I can hem it. But the fabric doesn’t fray. <br />
<br />
Dress 3: (but, why is this one the right way around?? So weird!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZZelJc3XqO-ijCKY2bYFr3sPevMWHH5y2FnBHqs4nfdICN1ie3yi4RnSjGmbj6JZ4_BOtpgVqd8q02IJk0SxU0Pc-td82vKwrY4w98sztiL65efVUiSn9y22IwsUHvN4Fujg/s1600/E838736E-24E5-4892-8E35-591FD4D336CB.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZZelJc3XqO-ijCKY2bYFr3sPevMWHH5y2FnBHqs4nfdICN1ie3yi4RnSjGmbj6JZ4_BOtpgVqd8q02IJk0SxU0Pc-td82vKwrY4w98sztiL65efVUiSn9y22IwsUHvN4Fujg/s320/E838736E-24E5-4892-8E35-591FD4D336CB.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Same pattern. This is a very fine weight double faced double knit. One side is silver, the other side is black. It has a shine and drape but not a lot of stretch. I eked the dress out of just under 2m of fabric. The dress is tight, and will probably end up as a back up piece unless I lose weight (always possible though unlikely). If I manage to fine the plain rayon poly Lycra I wanted to use for this dress, I will definitely remake it. <br />
<br />
Sewing this dress was a comedy of errors. I ran out of top thread in my sewing machine while I was top stitching the side seam and didn’t notice. I ran out of looper thread on my new to me serger and didn’t notice. The air threader on the serger didn’t work because the tube was clogged from me running out of thread. It took Hubbie and I at least half an hour to figure out how to clear the tube and then how to thread the machine because the instructions did not work. I don’t know why. I eventually threaded fishing line through the tube on the lower looper, tied the thread on, and pulled it through. After that, the machine just purred along. There must be some trick with the air threaded serger I don’t know yet.<br />
<br />
Overall:<br />
I love this pattern. I will definitely make this pattern again (and again lol). The shape suits my body and it is comfortable. Here are pictures from the first three dresses. (And I have no idea why they are sideways, again...)<br />
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<br />Boppingbeth (aka Beth or Elizabeth)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16615987747725943362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22212213.post-36957888896130805122020-01-26T00:40:00.003-05:002020-01-26T00:40:55.502-05:00New Year, New SWAPApparently once a year I come back here and start again. The fabric cave is overflowing, my friends. The fact that I am not sewing post concussion is pretty apparent. Yeah—I can sew, I do sew. But my brain currently shuts me down before I have enough energy to actually sew anything. That said, it is SWAP time on Artisan Square Sewing Guild. For the last two years, I have planned an EF inspired swap and not finished more than one item. This year, I swear it will be different. This year I will compete.<br />
<br />
(Cue hysterical laughter and many people muttering—sure you will, including both of my children).<br />
<br />
The rules are pretty easy: 11 items, 1 or 2 have to go with everything, 2 can be made previously (1 can even be bought). Other than that—go for it. <br />
<br />
These are the rules that dreams are made of. This is Dress SWAP rules. Honestly: 9 dresses, 2 sweaters may actually be my SWAP.<br />
<br />
I’ve been sewing Capsules that work together in my colours for at least seven years now and I have clothing that works for my lifestyle. Wash and wear, smart casual, cute and curved, just one step up from stay at home mom. I teach primary school—down on the carpet, playing with glitter and glue and mucky fingers. I love silk, wool and dry clean only fabrics in theory; my life, she be wash and wear. I’m not quite at the point of only wearing pull on gym pants but I love pull on stretch woven dress pants and tees and nice sweaters. I currently have a dearth of dresses that are suitable for my life. <br />
<br />
So, if I was going to do SWAP (who am I kidding? I am doing this) I would end up doing two different SWAPs and one would be all dresses. And every single one of those dresses would have pockets. Every day dresses that work with my current run through the playground but still look nice to talk to parents and the admin along with a few that would work for graduation and for choir events where I need dressy black.<br />
<br />
If I was going to do a Dress SWAP it would look like this:<br />
<br />
Two sweaters: one black (which I already own) and one that I would knit on my knitting machine<br />
Cross over bodice black flowered maxi, three quarter length sleeves<br />
Black ballet neck full skirt dress, casual fabric (rayon Lycra jersey)<br />
Black ballet neck full skirt dress, 3/4 sleeve, black stretch velvet<br />
Black eyelet, boat neck dress with pleated skirt<br />
Knee length cross over bodice dress, 3/4 circle skirt (likely not black though the print may have a black background)<br />
Ballet style Tank dress with Aline skirt (maybe not black, though seriously, black would just be easier—this could be lace over rayon Lycra jersey or it could be a print or it could be teal)<br />
Cross over bodice dress, cap sleeves, three quarter skirt, side pockets (blue or rose)<br />
Cap sleeve dress, Aline, woven, with pockets, knee length (able to be colour blocked, using quilting cottons or the cute blue flowered print currently marinating in my stash).<br />
<br />
I need the universal little back dress (people in my life keep getting older, getting cancer, getting frail) and I need a comfortable graduation dress this year that will manage both hot (no air conditioning) and cold (who turned the air conditioning up to arctic?). And it would be fun. No worrying about what goes with what. It all goes with a sweater. Maybe that will be my inspiration phrase. <br />
<br />
So, what are your SWAP plans?<br />
<br />Boppingbeth (aka Beth or Elizabeth)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16615987747725943362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22212213.post-307970789581316902019-01-11T00:00:00.000-05:002019-01-11T00:00:03.443-05:00The Dilemna of the Straight Skirt.Ok has anyone else playing along gone totally off script before they started? <br />
<br />
It is not just me, right? <br />
<br />
When I started planning for SWAP, I decided to just use the sewing plan from last year. It was a bit on the boring side
but it followed the EF concept of classic basics. The fact I didn't finish sewing the
wardrobe plan the last time should have told me something. The fact that I wasn't excited to just get sewing should have told me something. For fun (and
because I didn't feel like cleaning the sewing room) I spent several days watching Silhouette Pattern sewing videos. Watching those videos really made me rethink my plan. <br />
<br />
<h2>
Case in point: the Pencil Skirt</h2>
<br />
EF uses a pencil
skirt as her basic 8 skirt. I actually don't wear pencil skirts--they are too
restricting for my life and job as an elementary school teacher. I wear
clothing that is neat but allows me to move--skorts, maxi skirts, gypsy
skirts. I have made many pencil skirts over the years that got dusty and ignored. Even if EF sticks it in her wardrobe plan, I am not going to wear it. <br />
<br />
The bottom line is that if I want a skirt in my wardrobe, I need to find a pattern that
works for me that I would make many different ways in many different
fabrics. Enter Silhouettes 18 gore
skirt. <br />
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<br />
<br />
I would never have even looked at that pattern without
watching the skirt episode, mostly because the photo on the pattern has
the wrong combination of proportions (long skirt with a short jacket,
not a long jacket) and that pattern illustration does nothing for me. I hate most of the pattern illustrations and photos from Silhouette patterns. I don't think they do justice to the patterns
in any way. But after watching the videos, I realized this skirt pattern is fitted around the
hips and flared at the bottom and I would absolutely wear this skirt. I actually need a nice basic black skirt suitable to wear as choir blacks.<br />
<br />
So, (and yes, this is totally off script for SWAP) I went into the sewing cave and rejigged my 8 gore
skirt pattern from Jalie in order to create an 18 gore skirt pattern with a shape similar to Michelle's one piece skirt. My first mock up was a size disaster: eighteen gores fit my daughter's friend who is a size 24. Since the skirt looked
amazing on her I just finished it and gave it to her. My second try was better and hubbie actually commented positively. <br />
<br />
Step one: pattern down.<br />
<br />
I decided to make a double layered skirt variation using black stretch lace on the top layer and rayon poly-lycra for the under-layer. It would totally work with lots of garments in my wardrobe including my current choir blacks.<br />
<br />
Yeah, no. The 18 gore skirt pattern is a a fabric hog. It takes four or five times the pattern length (there is only one pattern piece) and even though the fabric resource closet is overflowing, I didn't have enough fabric. <br />
<br />
Plan, version two: change the gore size from 18 gores to 9 gores (something she shows in the video). That was successful. My black skirt is comfortable and lovely. I have plans for at least five more from the sewing resource
cave. And the experience reinforced why I didn't finish last year's SWAP sewing: the plan did not work for me. <br />
<br />Boppingbeth (aka Beth or Elizabeth)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16615987747725943362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22212213.post-12891412374574987042019-01-06T11:24:00.003-05:002019-01-06T18:09:16.877-05:00EF wardrobe Basic Core Patterns, Part 1<br />
The goal of the EF Core Eight is to give you a mix and match wardrobe that works as a foundational layer, clothing that is the cake of your wardrobe not the icing. EF picks eight basic pieces (four pants shapes and four tops) along with a dress, to create the foundation. Then she adds icing pieces. One of the reasons people love this concept is that it works. The shapes are basic enough to work with a lot of ages and personal styles.<br />
<br />
I love this concept and I really wanted to play with it last year and I wasn't the only one. One of my sewing buddies on Artisan Square talked about the videos by Silhouette Patterns looking at sewing an Eileen Inspired basic wardrobe. If you have never tried to sew SWAP and want some basic concepts, these videos are a really good place to start. <br />
<br />
EF Core 8, episode one: <br />
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EF Core 8, episode 2:<br />
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<h2>
The Plan:</h2>
<br />
If you break the EF core garment shapes down into a list, the basic eight are taken from this list of basic garments, usually four tops and four bottoms. <br />
<ul>
<li>woven tank top, long or cropped (high hip length), usually dark </li>
<li>knit layering tank top or tank dress, dark knit</li>
<li>slim pull on pencil pants (dark, stretch woven)</li>
<li>slim leg jeans (denim)</li>
<li>cropped wide leg pants (light, usually woven or stretch woven)</li>
<li>leggings (dark)</li>
<li>woven joggers (your basic every day silk sweat pants, usually dark)</li>
<li>pull on pencil skirt, stretch woven </li>
</ul>
Two to three dark tops, two to three light tops, jeans, two to three dark bottoms and a light bottom. And a dress because everyone needs a basic black (dark basic) dress. If you a couple of twin sets with a twist and a couple of interesting layer pieces every season in your basic new colour, you are good to go. <br />
<br />
As long as you start with pattern shapes that actually flatter your body and fabrics that work with your lifestyle, this is a fantastic formula to work from.<br />
<br />
Two things really struck me when I watched the two videos from
Silhouette patterns. One, they switched the knit and wovens for the
tanks. And two, they picked patterns for bottoms that were more
reflective of the lifestyle of the person they were sewing for. I
don't know why this option never occurred to me when I was putting
together my EF basic 8 wardrobe last year. I think I was trying to
level it up with that wardrobe in a way that really didn't work for me. <br />
<br />
One
of my few big sewing successes last year was the emergency TRI wardrobe I
made: two knit tanks from the Free Spirit Tank pattern that are organic
bamboo knits, a pair of black pencil pants in
stretch crepe with pockets and a pair of black full legged yoga pants.
They fit my lifestyle (wash and wear) and my body shape. The fabric
makes them just dressy enough I don't look like I am wearing pjs to
work. And they mix and match with everything I already own.<br />
<br />
Isn't that the point of EF's basic eight and SWAP--to have clothes that work with everything you wear and already own?<br />
<br />
This year with SWAP, I am using the lessons I
learned from my SWAP fail last year and sewing for my real life, not my imaginary life or body. <br />
<h2>
Outfit One:</h2>
Bateau Layering Tank which is a woven boxy shell in silk crepe, and
a pair of stretch crepe slim pants, aka pencil pants in a basic dark
colour. The grey and navy EF uses come and go but there are always black and
natural/white basics in the core. <br />
<br />
<img alt="" class="bbc_img" src="https://i.pinimg.com/564x/75/40/b1/7540b18d7ac52646d103f2cc96f64c3a.jpg" /><br />
<br />
EF
slim leg pants are generally ankle length pants but they can be cropped in summer. <br />
<br />
Readers at home will
recognize that any pull on slim pant can be used as a base for the pant
pattern. I am going to use the Mama Can Do It Fit Pants pattern found
here: <a class="bbc_link" href="https://mammacandoit.com/collections/women/products/fit-pants-pattern-women-sizes-00-20" target="_blank">https://mammacandoit.com/collections/women/products/fit-pants-pattern-women-sizes-00-20</a>.
It has pockets and I already have the pattern adjusted to fit me. But, honestly, any slim leg pants
pattern that fits you will work. (Let me repeat for long time readers of this blog: if you need the StyleArc Flat bottom Flo pants, you will probably not like my pattern choices so with what works for you.)<br />
<br />
The System woven layering shell comes in two lengths: a
high hip length (the boxy shell) and a low hip length (the long layering
shell which currently has a high low straight hem) but they are essentially the same pattern shape.<br />
<br />
Last year I stuck to the EF concept really closely. The closest I
came to finding a pattern that works as a woven tank top was the tank from the Mixit
Pattern from Sewing Workshop, found here:<br />
<a class="bbc_link" href="https://www.sewingworkshop.com/shop/MixIt-p38307633" target="_blank">https://www.sewingworkshop.com/shop/MixIt-p38307633</a><br />
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<br />
<br />
I am going to be brutally honest: I made three tops from this pattern last year a white one, a black high/low one and hip length black one). I do not wear them. They do not work for my body shape. The tops are too straight and they are not flattering or comfortable. You can get a better idea about how straight the pattern is from the pattern flat:<br />
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<br />
It is a great pattern and it works for the concept. I recommend it <i>if it will work for your body shape</i>.<br />
It made me sad it didn't work for mine and it was one of the reasons I didn't finish SWAP last year.<br />
<br />
My body shape is more Sophia Loren but six inches shorter and thirty pounds heavier with the beginning of a menopause waist. I have curves. I am not fashion model straight and tall and willowy, all of which seem to be the current focus of fashion. EF is no exception to this trend. Her vibe fits her target market: wealthy, older women starting to have menopause body with a very straight silhouette. <br />
<br />
Too straight for my body shape really sums up my whole wardrobe sewing experience last year. This wasn't my only pattern fail. Between the too straight and the inflated size issues, I didn't sew a lot of winners. <br />
<br />
This year for my woven tanks, I am going to start with <a href="http://www.fit2stitch.com/p_514.html" target="_blank">the Silhouette Tank Top pattern.</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.fit2stitch.com/images/514_back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.fit2stitch.com/images/514_back.jpg" data-original-height="735" data-original-width="579" height="320" width="252" /></a></div>
<br />
It may take some work to get my head around the way these patterns are sized (from clothing you love to wear, not from body measurements). But this pattern is closer to my body shape, and it comes with the D cup pattern work already done.<br />
<br />
<h2>
Basic Outfit Two:<br /><img alt="" class="bbc_img" src="https://i.pinimg.com/564x/ea/d3/49/ead3492fb332bdb640f1e36a96bb4361.jpg" /></h2>
This
is a knit layering tank, a
pair of straight leg pull on pants in crepe and a nice sweater with
texture. I may sew a coloured sweater, depending on what I have in the Fabric Resource Closet.<br />
<br />
Most of the time the layering tank is made in organic
knit (natural or black) but EF sometime recreates the tank in
interesting fabrics like stretch velvet and silk knits. If the top is
created in colours, there is often an interesting layer top made of a
coordinating fabric (think interesting twin set). Here is a neutral
coloured example of a 'twin set':<br />
<h2>
<img alt="" class="bbc_img" src="https://i.pinimg.com/564x/cf/ae/7c/cfae7c32228c3e98eb41378513d2517d.jpg" /> </h2>
EF does all kinds of variations on the twin set. Long sweater, short sweater. Thin drapey knit tie sweater, soft jacket, button up shirt. I am going to have to really play with this one. <br />
<br />
I
have two different options for patterns for the knit layering tank.
Both are Patterns for Pirates patterns. P4P drafts for a 5'4"
hourglass/curvy figure with an ample behind which means I don't need to
do a lot of work except for shorten the pattern to the right point for
my body. When I say curvy figure, I mean a figure with curves, not a plus sized figure. Patterns for Pirates patterns come size 2 to size 24. Your body shape doesn't really change that much with adding or subtracting weight; it gets wider, not differently proportioned. This is one of the things I hate about the use of Curvy to indicate plus sized. <br />
<br />
I prefer the Free Spirit tank top because it is fitted at the
bust but not so fitted at the waist and it is easy to change all the
other things about the hem lengths but the Essential Tank pattern is
closer to the EF concept.<br />
<br />
Essential Tank Pattern: <a class="bbc_link" href="https://www.patternsforpirates.com/product/essential-tank/" target="_blank">https://www.patternsforpirates.com/product/essential-tank/</a><br />
Free Spirit Tank Pattern: <a class="bbc_link" href="https://www.patternsforpirates.com/product/free-spirit-tank/" target="_blank">https://www.patternsforpirates.com/product/free-spirit-tank/</a><br />
<br />
For
the straight leg pants (which are made of stretch crepe or stretch
organic cotton or linen, depending on the season), I have two options. The Mama Can Do It Fit Pants Pattern, possibly sizing up one size depending on
the stretch of the fabric since pattern includes all the leg styles you
could ever want and all the leg lengths, and pockets and it already fits me. Or I will walk on the wild side and try the<a href="http://www.silhouettepatterns.com/html/patterns/p_3218.htm" target="_blank"> Silhouette Stretch Woven Pant.</a><br />
<br />
<h2>
</h2>
Boppingbeth (aka Beth or Elizabeth)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16615987747725943362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22212213.post-2678516962312606002019-01-04T21:18:00.000-05:002019-01-06T11:25:07.614-05:00Imitating Eileen, take two. Inspiration<a href="https://i.pinimg.com/564x/b0/c8/53/b0c8532695bd356bd0108258812c657e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="457" height="320" src="https://i.pinimg.com/564x/b0/c8/53/b0c8532695bd356bd0108258812c657e.jpg" width="182" /></a><br />
<br />
I finally decided to use this art piece. I love the lines and the fractured look of it. Even though I don't wear any of the yellows, many of the browns and greens are in my colour set. I'm going for my standard colours: black, grey and cream base and adding
in my usual colour accents: blue, rose and plum with a little dash of
green. (Yes, I know there are too many there at the moment; I expect I
will do a Ruthie and sew more than I need and then mix and match to make
it work). I have lots of black basics but not so many grey or cream
basics. A review of the Resource Closet shows that I have lots of fabrics in my colours that are plain. <br />
<br />
I want to base my SWAP on Eileen Fischer's amazing basics concept but I need to make something that will fit both my wash and wear lifestyle and my 5'1" not so slender frame. A lot of the inspiration clothing photos for my SWAP are collected here on my <a href="https://www.pinterest.ca/boppingbeth/swap-2018/]https://www.pinterest.ca/boppingbeth/swap-2018" target="_blank">Pintrest board</a>. Eileen is known for flattering simple shapes with expensive lovely fabrics. I spent most of last year getting the basics down in terms of patterns and fit but I didn't manage SWAP.<br />
<br />
Her basic eight garments are tanks, tees, and pants in black and winter white along with denim. A woven long layering tank, a cropped woven tank, a knit layering tank, a straight dress, a pair of pencil pants, a pair of cropped pants, a pair of denim pants and a pair of silk joggers. She adds interesting twin sets, sweaters, shirts and layers to these basic eight garments and all of it ends up mix and match (as long as you pick garments that flatter your basic shape). <br />
<br />
Some inspiration photos:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.pinimg.com/564x/b5/b0/e7/b5b0e73228b3ebabcfce334b2c794700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="350" height="320" src="https://i.pinimg.com/564x/b5/b0/e7/b5b0e73228b3ebabcfce334b2c794700.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Basic Black long tank, pencil pants and a layering sweater</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.pinimg.com/564x/95/db/5d/95db5da8470f3412c7f8d26288fbdbfc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="730" data-original-width="252" height="320" src="https://i.pinimg.com/564x/95/db/5d/95db5da8470f3412c7f8d26288fbdbfc.jpg" width="110" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Button shirt, layering tank in white and denim joggers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I'm going to start with some variation of these outfits.<br />
<br />
Pants: <br />
Pull on knit pencil pants and the jobbers will be based on the <a href="https://mammacandoit.com/products/fit-pants-pattern-women-sizes-00-20" target="_blank">Mama Can Do It Fit Pant Pattern</a> which I have made about ten times since I purchased it. I own a pair of full legged pants with pockets already that I made before the rules came out. I may add a pair of black or cream straight leg pants to this that can be rolled up and down. <br />
<br />
Knit Tank Top: <a href="https://www.patternsforpirates.com/product/free-spirit-tank/" target="_blank">Free Spirit Tank top by P4P</a>. Again, I've made this one many time so it is a real basic for me--grey, cream, black<br />
<br />
I am not sure about the shirt pattern yet. I don't have a basic pattern so this is one I am going to have to fit. <br />
<br />
As well as those two outfits, I am going to add a basic black dress: either a sleeveless <a href="https://www.stylearc.com/shop/sewing-patterns/cruise-club-kim-dress/" target="_blank">StyleArc Kim dress pattern</a>, shortened to knee length in black rayon poly lycra or the ballet style dress in black with three quarter sleeves. I am actually more likely to wear the second with pockets.<br />
<br />
After that, we add colour. Boppingbeth (aka Beth or Elizabeth)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16615987747725943362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22212213.post-27198894772456024562019-01-02T10:39:00.001-05:002021-02-13T23:54:27.022-05:00Cashmere and Glue Sticks...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
AKA why do I put myself through this planning headache?</h4>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
SWAP Fantasy: sewing the perfect and elusive mix and match wardrobe</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
in just eleven garments. </h3>
<br />
When I start the process of SWAP I always have this odd belief I will sew the perfect wardrobe in eleven garments, no waste, no fails. I imagine I will end up with a wardrobe that looks like this:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2g2OJWHvJFuk0zqH1QcKEyaZ3p241Jyxvtqe1jtWAsjs1qkt1SBEjc9ntCl4_h_OpTp-aljcqMuhjmxME6VosNCaWrupWU37MXjTabxHsoO7FA5tvU4JpydaXTweWcz70hGEM/s1600/fashion-1031469_1920.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2g2OJWHvJFuk0zqH1QcKEyaZ3p241Jyxvtqe1jtWAsjs1qkt1SBEjc9ntCl4_h_OpTp-aljcqMuhjmxME6VosNCaWrupWU37MXjTabxHsoO7FA5tvU4JpydaXTweWcz70hGEM/s320/fashion-1031469_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at all those pretty, neatly organized neutrals made of silk and velvet and organza and rayon hanging in a row...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>And then reality strikes</b> </i></div>
<br />
and I start laughing myself silly in the corner. I know you are easing away right now, muttering about needing to be somewhere else. Neutrals on that level make me itch. Sewing should be a gleeful joy, a riot of fabric and fantasy of patterns. Bring on the colour, the chaos, the joy of print, the...<b> </b><br />
<br />
Time for a plan and a reality check, here. I have limited time and energy post concussion and I need to be able to use my time and energy wisely.<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
This year I have to at least start with a plan.</h2>
<br />
Planning SWAP will (hopefully) help prevent me from sewing another wardrobe failure. '<br />
<br />
I've sewn some pretty memorable SWAP fails over the years. I learned from them even when they were infuriating and expensive learning experiences. My previous wardrobe sewing fails can be summarized as:<br />
<ul>
<li> failure to sew what I really wear and need (aka sewing for my imaginary life, the evening dress wardrobe when I was a home maker with a two year old and a six year old)</li>
<li> failure to think through how many basics I really needed to make (aka: black may be my basic but when did I decide to become goth?)</li>
<li> failure to recognize what actually looks good on my body (the Lagenlook sack experiment)</li>
<li> failure to recognize how the fabrics will work together as garments and when I will wear them (aka the memorable silk georgette and wool melton SWAP for high summer because the fabrics were perfect colour matches) </li>
</ul>
There have been years my final wardrobe effort looked like this: <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6uNZaFAW0OK79VHKUT0v5xclp4yxq6iT1vIOdbbsh_DkBaPTdpz9n6c2e4gliLCvaM7GKXZe3hYrJd0l-zkmnQ681zj4qv0__H0p-xm7sp3o1Atl2HVEU6urMEz-ykU_zRx2t/s1600/dresses-53319_1920.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1293" data-original-width="1600" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6uNZaFAW0OK79VHKUT0v5xclp4yxq6iT1vIOdbbsh_DkBaPTdpz9n6c2e4gliLCvaM7GKXZe3hYrJd0l-zkmnQ681zj4qv0__H0p-xm7sp3o1Atl2HVEU6urMEz-ykU_zRx2t/s320/dresses-53319_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> I like colour but....why didn't I sew pants again?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
<br />
<br />And years it looked like this :<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixo4lhFrt52DLa11EodeznebspffwAw95dyh1Ni8dIIyAqqwEMH9q-x4L8N_CiKq5pa85VjMno-bLd4lyeVsKW_bOc8PIa8WgpiMa9z4sdG0MTKkdFMpvXWjj6z5rGQM45QpS6/s1600/blouse-2597205_1920.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixo4lhFrt52DLa11EodeznebspffwAw95dyh1Ni8dIIyAqqwEMH9q-x4L8N_CiKq5pa85VjMno-bLd4lyeVsKW_bOc8PIa8WgpiMa9z4sdG0MTKkdFMpvXWjj6z5rGQM45QpS6/s320/blouse-2597205_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I look like an extra in a black and white film...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
I also struggle with the intersection between reality and personal taste. </h3>
<br />
I love, love, love the <a href="https://www.eileenfisher.com/plus/featured-fabric/organic-cotton-jersey/" target="_blank">Eileen Fisher</a> wardrobe concepts: perfect mix and match basics that work together to create one cohesive look. She
uses simple shapes, fabulous fabrics, ethical sourcing and creates some
really great basics. I lust after those fabulous fabrics: silk crepe, cashmere, organic stretch linen, organic stretch
denim, silk organza....be still my beating heart. Unfortunately for my champagne taste, my life style is beer budget wash and wear. I spend my days on the
run between classes, sitting on the
floor with grade 1's period one and dancing with grade 8's period six and then jet-setting to choir or writing group in the evening.<i> </i>I deal
with glue and paint and little kid germs. Anyone else see my dilemma?<br />
<br />
Just picture it:<br />
<br />
Cashmere and glue sticks...<br />
<br />
Silk linen and paint splatters...<br />
<br />
Perhaps not the best fabric choices for my everyday wardrobe.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
I need to make an Every Day Wardrobe Plan, not a Fantasy Plan </h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
</h3>
I need to put my energy into sewing clothing that fits my every day life. The rules for SWAP 2019 are practical and flexible. Two base colours, up to five contrasting fabrics, eleven garments. <br />
<br />
I will not be fitting six new patterns this year (what was I thinking last year?) I don't have the energy for that level of new pattern chaos. I have already fitted, good basics I sew over and over again (tank top, pull on pant, skirt) and adding a couple of new ones: a jean, a shirt and an jacket pattern. But even if I don't, I can make a good start with what I already know will fit me.<br />
<br />
Fabrics may be an issue. The resource center is really heavy on basics. Black basics abound. Grey is a pretty close second. Winter white is represented, so is dark blue and denim. But the icing pieces, the pretty prints that make my heart sing? They are few and far between.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZVCn53FFE2ys-3kLAaIAVm0SBuMGQRjc2joia5MZ6EUjUwg44PM-GfX99h6zZLfs0XO6v03gvSC_Bs-bIe-VNFmzDz_5SfA5IKL6G3FUvICjQhk1Hu_AybfRBA8mP1uIPul3/s1600/yarn-2565067_1920.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZVCn53FFE2ys-3kLAaIAVm0SBuMGQRjc2joia5MZ6EUjUwg44PM-GfX99h6zZLfs0XO6v03gvSC_Bs-bIe-VNFmzDz_5SfA5IKL6G3FUvICjQhk1Hu_AybfRBA8mP1uIPul3/s320/yarn-2565067_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My head is full of colour choices and garment shapes, the intersecting
jenga of choices and the reality of budgets. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Planning will hopefully
leave me with a cohesive wardrobe at the end of the experience. </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Boppingbeth (aka Beth or Elizabeth)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16615987747725943362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22212213.post-47097815250408063092018-12-30T19:47:00.000-05:002019-01-04T21:22:02.501-05:00SWAP 2019: Start with ArtThe first step of wardrobe planning is finding inspiration. Well, maybe a more realistic first step of wardrobe planning is really taking everything that you never wear out of your wardrobe, figuring out your holes, and then finding inspiration. But this time I am starting with inspiration. <br />
<br />
The problem is that I can't decide which piece of art I want to be inspired by. The first piece I was inspired by was this piece:<br />
<br />
I am playing around with a colour sampler program by Sherwin-Williams and a lot of images. <br />
If you are interested in trying it, it is here: <a class="bbc_link" href="http://snapyourcolors.com/" target="_blank">http://snapyourcolors.com/</a><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidio8aAsMuMNaBBFKBmEP4wbGn0aW8UlznLmu2TIr-bPyjM1rJ8eJxwGVuPuZzlz1s_A1b-QI6vLx_oKt9XNQpLpwQbheFhPNhTW_pE-Sr2CpGH7bLrrmduK0wTlqUULo98-ti/s1600/colour+option+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="480" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidio8aAsMuMNaBBFKBmEP4wbGn0aW8UlznLmu2TIr-bPyjM1rJ8eJxwGVuPuZzlz1s_A1b-QI6vLx_oKt9XNQpLpwQbheFhPNhTW_pE-Sr2CpGH7bLrrmduK0wTlqUULo98-ti/s320/colour+option+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I love the lines, and the blues and greens and pinks. It has the black base I need, but it is very light and bright and my colours are more on the dulled than these. I like Caviar and Commodore as colours but the yellows and some of the greens are not right. <br />
<br />
Honestly, this scarf is more along the blacks, greys and pinks I wear. I was surprised when the blues and the greens didn't show up in the colour samples. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqO0C2GHU_9FkFchVI87EgI7Gv7E1WhU3o_RaHcrC7s1rCGxVUJ2ltdNjeP3CHBl0JjU006oGSL_9nfyFiwBQ4_jcYjC2SUAm_Sf0uF1X3GxySMTQ954vEmVk9oikb8K-sq7aj/s1600/colour+option+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="641" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqO0C2GHU_9FkFchVI87EgI7Gv7E1WhU3o_RaHcrC7s1rCGxVUJ2ltdNjeP3CHBl0JjU006oGSL_9nfyFiwBQ4_jcYjC2SUAm_Sf0uF1X3GxySMTQ954vEmVk9oikb8K-sq7aj/s320/colour+option+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
But I also like the greens, blues, pinks and reds shown in these images:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhroETVaRiyJ_XdrNIkXflsI5nGbs-RVbLZ7ByBgDFrf_hnf4GiKbai2WN4HP-_RlunZeKPpmNgyf0yOUcaamy1SJQP-DGy8WdDKBWCklMHu3MNgkBniaM-OEZsQwf40eiEOD3a/s1600/colour+option+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="545" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhroETVaRiyJ_XdrNIkXflsI5nGbs-RVbLZ7ByBgDFrf_hnf4GiKbai2WN4HP-_RlunZeKPpmNgyf0yOUcaamy1SJQP-DGy8WdDKBWCklMHu3MNgkBniaM-OEZsQwf40eiEOD3a/s320/colour+option+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOscv0SEFEC5PpH7VmcIrGaItnqJiUH6Il-2_sGKsdo2MC__6D9ZtV9ohddAAKxGh_lVnufHcoHQ7d9XBIaXanYSNT-iwZpKHod_6bRQw4Sn55kJD8Q9Ntny8E4lz_H3HEM982/s1600/colour+option+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="677" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOscv0SEFEC5PpH7VmcIrGaItnqJiUH6Il-2_sGKsdo2MC__6D9ZtV9ohddAAKxGh_lVnufHcoHQ7d9XBIaXanYSNT-iwZpKHod_6bRQw4Sn55kJD8Q9Ntny8E4lz_H3HEM982/s320/colour+option+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The greys like Dark Night and Still Water are wardrobe colours I wear. The Black is right. And similar colours show up. But that first stained glass piece just speaks on a real level, the gut level.<br />
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Then again, maybe I will do what other stitchers have done--use a piece of fabric in my stash as inspiration. <br />
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<br />Boppingbeth (aka Beth or Elizabeth)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16615987747725943362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22212213.post-1043667750131471902018-12-30T19:19:00.000-05:002018-12-30T19:19:42.867-05:00Stitcher's Guild Sewing with a Plan 2019<h2>
Yay! SWAP is starting over at <a href="http://artisanssquare.com/sg/index.php/board,63.0.html" target="_blank">Stitcher's Guild</a>. </h2>
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I 've done SWAP for years. It is a sewing jigsaw puzzle to make things you will like and wear. I still wear pieces from my very first Timmel Swap. To keep myself organized I like to post the rules here on the blog. I know I am going to 'pull a Ruthie' with this SWAP--sew more than I need and then mix and match to get everything to follow the rules--but I am OK with that. Sewing is my hobby and making more is not a problem.<br />
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<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<strong>2019 Seasonal Designer Collection II SWAP Rules</strong></h4>
<br /><i>You are still the Designer. Create a cohesive seasonal collection of eleven garments of your choice.<br /><br /><strong>Plan:</strong><br />Choose an inspiration piece of your choice -- Could be a scarf, artwork, fabric print, photograph, etc<br />Choose two neutrals that coordinate with your inspiration piece<br />Add 1-5 accents and/or prints that will work with your inspiration piece (ie: not clash)<br />Make 9 garments that form your core.<br />You must create multiple outfits using at least two core garment items that work for your personal style. <br />Make 2 wild card pieces that can be worn alone or with other core items or with other wardrobe items. <br />Wild card pieces should still blend in with inspiration piece.<br />Combining fabrics is fine.<br />No restrictions on type of garments<br /><br /><br /><strong>Rules</strong><br />Sewing begins on 26 December 2018 and ends 30 April 2019<br />One garment may be completed by today (28 October 2018)<br />One garment may be started on 29 October 2018 and completed prior to 26 December 2018<br />One RTW garment may be included (it can be existing or purchased at any time before or during the SWAP)<br />Garments knitted, crocheted or woven by you may be included (limit of two since we are a sewing site)<br />Garments
such as poncho, cape or wrap must include at least two pattern pieces,
be one of your knitted, crocheted or woven items or have stitch work
done by you to be considered a garment <br />Neutrals do not need to be the same fabrics <br />Neutrals may be textured<br />Note that accents fabric must be the same (so not two different fabrics of the same accent color)<br />You will need a photo of your inspiration piece <br /><strong>Addendum:</strong> If you make your own inspiration piece it must be completed, photographed and posted prior to 26 Decomeber 2018</i>Boppingbeth (aka Beth or Elizabeth)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16615987747725943362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22212213.post-80362249742469094502018-12-30T18:56:00.001-05:002019-01-06T11:36:53.184-05:00A few thoughts after a year of no RTW purchases<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2018/06/18/06/43/bangkok-3481970__340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt=" Photo by rawpixl on Pixabay" border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="509" height="213" src="https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2018/06/18/06/43/bangkok-3481970__340.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What I did not do this year: shop for clothing</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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This is the third time I've done a ready to wear fast and the first time I've managed to go a full year without purchasing ready to wear, even second hand ready to wear. The notable exception was uniform shorts and a bathing suit for my summer volunteer work. And socks. All my socks started developing holes in October so I had to buy socks. I was gifted several pieces of clothing for Christmas by my daughter: a
leather jacket that fits me perfectly, even over my curves, and a
wonderful double knit wool cape with a perfect hood. But other than
socks, shoes and a couple of handbags, I really didn't shop. <br />
<br />
I didn't need to shop. And I didn't want to shop. I have patterns that work for my lifestyle and my body like the P4P tees and tanks, and the MamaCanDoIt Fit pants pattern and I have a stash. Fabric is getting harder to come by around here but I can go diving in the sewing cave and make something that will work <i>as long as I have the energy to make decisions</i>. When I needed comfortable, loose clothes for a week of assessments in October, it was easy to go into the sewing cave and sew three outfits. I didn't have to think about anything but colour. I just picked fabric, cut it out, sewed it up, and threw the clothes in my suitcase.<br />
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My success rate was fifty fifty for any sewing project that needed more complex decision making. If it was a new pattern to me or hadn't already been fitted I didn't always get through it because I didn't have the energy. I didn't manage to make any of the more complex items on my list (jeans, a button up white shirt, dress pants, fitted dress, all items on my sewing list for this year). I have the fabric, washed and ready to go. But the last three months I've been too tired to do much more than go to work and come home and fall into bed. Even writing has been challenging. This meant I didn't blog as much as I probably should have about the journey. <br />
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I also struggled with being realistic about my size and shape. I've gained weight due to lack of activity post-concussion. It is only around eight pounds but somewhere along the line I decided I was bigger than I really am. I had a couple of months when I made several new to me garments in my mythical size. I made a beautiful white shirt that fit my SIL perfectly but drowned
me, a lovely center front pleated v neck popover that also looks amazing
on my SIL and a 16 gore skirt mock up that fit one of my daughter's
best friends.<br />
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The problem was I only had enough energy to make one garment, not the three
I needed to make to get to a pattern I can use repeatedly (one mock up fail, one mock up that works and the actual garment). At least with the gored skirt, I was finally better enough I had enough energy to get myself through the project to garment.<br />
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I also ran into a month when I just made do because I didn't have the energy to deal with figuring out what size I really was and making all the decisions that went with sewing. My concert blacks are just a little snug but I wore them anyway for both concerts. If I had been planning ahead, I would have made a couple of back up pieces during the summer, but by the time the concert came around I was doing well to be upright. Sewing didn't happen. <br />
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Overall, though, it was a successful year and I won't go back to shopping for RTW. I may pick up some second hand pieces that I can use to clone or use as fabric, but I would rather sew than shop. I am picking through my garments and making decisions--keep or go. Do I love it enough to give it house room or can I pass it on to someone else who will love it? <br />
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My reward for not spending money on clothing will be a down coat. This is something I would never make myself because one: who needs to find feathers for the next ten years through the entire house if you sneeze in the sewing room and two: my school yard duty coat is getting sad and starting to shed and desperately needs replacing. But I don't think I will ever go back to purchasing RTW regularly. Sewing was easier most of the time. <br />
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<br />Boppingbeth (aka Beth or Elizabeth)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16615987747725943362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22212213.post-22122601439498016052018-04-16T22:00:00.000-04:002018-04-16T22:00:11.789-04:00Still Fasting, just...I haven't purchased anything other than fabric, shoes, and purses since January 1 of this year. I walk three times a week with a friend at the mall and I'm not tempted to purchase clothing. I'm not even tempted to try anything on so that is good. I've seen maybe three items in the last three months that interest me enough that I want to try to make them--a pretty white top, an interesting jacket with metal eyelet trim details, and a lace over cotton dress in a fabric I cannot find. So I'm surviving the fast.<br />
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The only problem is that I haven't been sewing, or for that matter, writing. <br />
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The biggest reason is that my rehabilitation post-concussion, and the exhaustion that goes with an improving brain post-concussion, mean more activity. The activity and the energy that is going into healing has seriously affected my enthusiasm to hide in the sewing room cave. I'm five and a half months past the accident. Reading on the computer came back just after New Years but reading books and physical print items didn't come back until the middle of February and I still struggle. Sewing is actually excellent visual tracking therapy. I just get tired.<br />
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The other big reason is that I've developed some new food sensitivities. Cooking has taken more time than I expected because I have to make many more things from scratch. I'm putting energy into experimenting with food that I can eat and that doesn't take all day and night to make. I'm sorting through cookbooks (and letting a lot of them go), creating a new master cook book, and figuring out food planning and preparation for the new me. <br />
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It will all balance out eventually. <br />
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I've slowed down my purchasing of everything (even patterns). I made a deal with myself that I would not buy something unless I could use it within the month and I have no energy to sew. The only good side of this drought is that I did enough sewing during my Pirates spree that I can comfortably dress myself every day with lots of choices and the vast majority of my options are made by me options. It is actually hard to even consider trying on clothing when the made by me options fit better and are more comfortable than anything I can purchase ready-to-wear.<br />
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I don't know if I will manage to finish my Stitcher's Guild SWAP by the deadline though I will finish it eventually. I've made two long sleeve shirts in the current 'drop shoulder' style, one in a cool black sparkle print that doesn't photograph, and another in a plum and white stripe. The jury is still out on that drop shoulder style. I don't know if it is my age, my height or my curvy body type, but I am not convinced. The sleeveless tops are wonderful. I have fabric for pants; I just haven't gotten farther than taping the pattern together. I have a pattern for jeans that is as far as purchased but not yet printed. The fabric is pre-treated and waiting. Between the huge Facebook Scandal and my lack of energy to read anything, I haven't checked up on everyone else. I will get there. It just may take time. Boppingbeth (aka Beth or Elizabeth)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16615987747725943362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22212213.post-22849906720930211282018-02-11T17:32:00.004-05:002018-02-11T17:32:53.075-05:00The Goodbye Valentino RTW fast--January ReportI'm one of the members of the Goodbye Valentino Ready to Wear Fast 2018. Sewing what I wear was a lifestyle choice for me long before I joined the fast, so why am I participating? There are great prizes. This is a chance to elevate sewing as a viable life option. I get a chance to
stretch my sewing skills with a group of like minded tailors and
seamstresses and it is fun being part of a group that sews, participating in the discussion and
seeing what other people make and how it fits in their lives.<br />
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Since January 1, my only purchases have been fabrics. I've been shopping with my family and not been tempted to buy myself any RTW. I'm also not over-compensating by purchasing all kinds of clothing for the rest of family, something I did the last time I tried a RTW Fast. The Fast has really made me think about why I purchase clothing instead of spending time in the sewing room.<br />
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We had a series of heated discussions this week about 'allowed to purchase' and 'Not allowed to Purchase' over on the private Facebook Group. For those who aren't members of the Fast, the official rules are no purchases except for your dream Wedding dress, undergarments and uniforms. I don't shop for the 'emotional satisfaction' or buy things because they are a bargain, but I do shop second hand. I realized I buy second hand RTW when I have unanticipated lifestyle needs
combined with a lack of time, energy or resources to solve the need with
sewing. <br />
<br />
I've done one RTW fast before, February to February. I bought nothing that year except for one item: a coat. I was at a conference in late May. I had packed for my trip based on a forecast of warm spring weather. And it snowed. In Canada, particularly at Universities and other institutions, central heat gets turned off the beginning of April. It was late May. It was cold, inside the buildings and out. I wore that coat to bed over everything else I brought, I was so cold. But I still remember how guilty I felt breaking my fast. I think now in the same circumstances, I would do the same thing but without the guilt. In my personal opinion, safety trumps Fasting. <br />
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The 'Is buying ski wear allowed?' discussion on the board hit a weird place in my gut. I know with enough time, energy, and resources you can problem solve your way through any sewing project--snow gear,
wedding dress, rain wear, winter coat, undergarments--and be proud of yourself after the fact. But if I was in the unexpected situation and needed a ski suit in two days and my friends didn't have something I could borrow, I would have bought a pair of snow pants and a jacket and not stressed about it. Safety trumps fasting and I know that I would lack resources and time to get the job done safely in that situation. <br />
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Maintaining a RTW fast or having a sewing lifestyle over the long term, requires learning how to accurately anticipate
what you need and having the skills, resources and time to sew
to meet those needs. Taking the coat as an example, I had an unexpected lifestyle need and I lacked access to sewing machines and fabric store. I also had very limited time between sessions at the conference. The emergency shopping trip for something to wear to my goddaughter's wedding came as a result of a failure to plan ahead properly and a lack of time and energy to solve the problem with sewing because I didn't realize the dress I had chosen to wear to my goddaughter's wedding didn't fit me until I put it on before the rehearsal dinner. And sometimes things come up that are totally not anticipated. After my concussion in the fall, I needed clothing for therapy that was not dress pants (all I owned at the time). Lack of energy and time upright sent me to the second hand store to buy sweat pants to wear to therapy instead of the sewing room even though I have everything I need to make sweat pants in my stash.<br />
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So, looking at all of this, I realize I need to think and sew more 'long term' than I am now if I want to make it to the end of the fast without having to 'buy a coat'. I will likely need a funeral dress in the next six months (my grandmother is ill) and that means I should start thinking about sewing it now instead of realizing the night before getting on the plane I need a dress to wear. <br />
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<br />Boppingbeth (aka Beth or Elizabeth)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16615987747725943362noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22212213.post-52705693685317377342017-12-30T10:41:00.001-05:002017-12-30T10:44:15.906-05:00Wedding dress revealHello dear readers. This is the wedding dress reveal. While I designed and made the dress, it was beaded by many hands and the last fitting was accomplished with my daughter Nicole's help.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2AfYyxX0h_yfW6sZMKkPBudOeDciff-aZWFYTg525SLPOCwKzQHc-gNHRT1-fBlwUMrrE45PVhPVUMoIUrJVr4H0X81Wp3zROyCAqoDyShbHlL1NuaASc0k0YidBwjwGQ6yKi/s1600/2017-08-25+20.47.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2AfYyxX0h_yfW6sZMKkPBudOeDciff-aZWFYTg525SLPOCwKzQHc-gNHRT1-fBlwUMrrE45PVhPVUMoIUrJVr4H0X81Wp3zROyCAqoDyShbHlL1NuaASc0k0YidBwjwGQ6yKi/s320/2017-08-25+20.47.34.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjof8LeP6bxiEyg22gWXUM7QYnWfHOqr2LWJPwAeLsu5qLoUWZEG2OYmQLiFniHO4fwwLsQdUPrRzFnw8buoCl-drYTs7WQd_loe2W4tA_v7p1yG6asNSXCaMrQRBna3klgFLhP/s1600/2017-07-22+13.06.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjof8LeP6bxiEyg22gWXUM7QYnWfHOqr2LWJPwAeLsu5qLoUWZEG2OYmQLiFniHO4fwwLsQdUPrRzFnw8buoCl-drYTs7WQd_loe2W4tA_v7p1yG6asNSXCaMrQRBna3klgFLhP/s320/2017-07-22+13.06.05.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0J6i3RrAyWwiZojJhCWSZfzLhv-6vPt_yAfBFR9Ds2vJHby2G9rN3QqoCtfGRCiyeQEhxZef5TgSD8V8Tud7D8ulwN0vOmHz8b2nnijdUO0iQ20Ny428A-YqewkiIYVctcyrQ/s1600/2017-07-22+13.06.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0J6i3RrAyWwiZojJhCWSZfzLhv-6vPt_yAfBFR9Ds2vJHby2G9rN3QqoCtfGRCiyeQEhxZef5TgSD8V8Tud7D8ulwN0vOmHz8b2nnijdUO0iQ20Ny428A-YqewkiIYVctcyrQ/s320/2017-07-22+13.06.17.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We hand placed every single motif on the dress. This is half of the skirt filling my 17' living room.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gbld7qYOC1OiIHfe7F4XEiK7GpW8bGaRHIQNgMB94OyghTJwpGNsK6R-P6mVHdvKy-9_2wGGsf9QlcXS01PqyxTjsxKkS4EXLY6FPZwYQ84WzjzOhn04jbm72Nvd7FRkhrE9/s1600/2017-07-22+14.18.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gbld7qYOC1OiIHfe7F4XEiK7GpW8bGaRHIQNgMB94OyghTJwpGNsK6R-P6mVHdvKy-9_2wGGsf9QlcXS01PqyxTjsxKkS4EXLY6FPZwYQ84WzjzOhn04jbm72Nvd7FRkhrE9/s320/2017-07-22+14.18.44.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The under layer--a sparkle organza that shed, a lot, everywhere.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The picture that decided how we were going to make the back of the dress</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Oh Cr... I lost a beading needle somewhere under here!'</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beading, beading, beading</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Details of the back trim and zipper</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It has pockets!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQDUe4ehXnf2qJIPnsHKGALfxIVqSGOug_cOGcCzf0BpOobLXuJDcjRL8hWf7lCD4hK0ImFsm0TNBRmM4UP3tshMRsue81jcgXaKVrDnjqKHSs0EIzyyFPpjw8upTT9kNNWUvT/s1600/2017-08-25+21.09.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQDUe4ehXnf2qJIPnsHKGALfxIVqSGOug_cOGcCzf0BpOobLXuJDcjRL8hWf7lCD4hK0ImFsm0TNBRmM4UP3tshMRsue81jcgXaKVrDnjqKHSs0EIzyyFPpjw8upTT9kNNWUvT/s320/2017-08-25+21.09.23.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made a simple pearl edged veil to complete the outfit from the leftovers of the lace netting.</td></tr>
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<span id="goog_1318821043"></span><span id="goog_1318821044"></span><br />Boppingbeth (aka Beth or Elizabeth)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16615987747725943362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22212213.post-66609273413950137652017-08-15T13:07:00.002-04:002019-01-04T21:23:03.744-05:00I became a Pirate!<h2>
Sewing with Patterns for Pirates patterns, A Review: </h2>
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I'm starting my year of 'using what you have and sewing what is there' with a bang and a whole lot of new clothes. It is time to use and review all those patterns hiding in my stash. Why am I keeping all of this flat clothing potential? It is time to use, and keep or let go depending on the results. Someone else will be blessed by my decision making I am sure.<br />
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<h3>
MiniWardrobe Contest: Two weeks, nine garments. </h3>
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<a href="http://www.patternsforpirates.com/" target="_blank">Patterns for Pirates</a> had a fall 'sew 9 items in two weeks' mini-wardrobe contest. This is a new to me pattern company. Until I sewed for the contest, I had only ever tried their peg leg pattern and the essential tank top. But I am a sucker for wardrobe contests and I had to give it a go.<br />
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I used mostly stash fabric for this contest. The flower print, the black and white stripe and the light grey sweater knit fabrics were both new purchases but everything else has been marinating in my stash for more than a year. <br />
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I started late--five days before the deadline (I was working on the wedding dress). In the end, I sewed 20 different garments. I am not the only person in the Pirate Community who sewed multiple 9 garment wardrobes. Quite a few people sewed me and mini-me wardrobes. I'm not even close to the highest number of garments sewn in two weeks. At least one person made four 'mini-wardrobes' so 36 garments. I only made two sets of nine garments.<br />
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Well, 19 garments because the white shirt got thrown in at the last minute or 20 if you count the leggings I made and promptly gave to my daughter because the fabric did not have enough stretch for my body lol.<br />
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<h3>
<a href="http://www.patternsforpirates.com/" target="_blank">Patterns for Pirates: A Review</a></h3>
P4P is a<b> downloadable pdf pattern</b> company (aka, purchase, print, tape the pattern together). They design modern stylish patterns for everyday life in a<b> respectable size range</b> (from very small (XXS) to 3XL)
which means I can sew with them for my sister who is a size 4 and my SIL
who is on the larger end of the size range. They have maternity add-ons to their patterns. <br />
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The patterns are<b> 'no trim' pdf patterns</b>; you can put
them together with a glue stick and you don't lose the lines of the
pattern at the edges of the paper. Many (but not all) of their patterns have<b> pdf layers</b>. That means you can print a single size instead of having to find your line in the many sizes (after printing and trimming a Jalie pattern, I would say this is a definite bonus). You can also print two or three sizes to easily grade between them. <br />
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The patterns are <b>modestly priced</b> (averaging about 7-10 dollars US each) and offer family bundle packs. They allow you to sew for others and sell the items made from their patterns at no extra cost. <br />
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The woman's pattern block is based on a<b> realistic curvy body shape</b>. I have a generous 'european' curvy backside and I measure on the smaller end of the XL. I do not have to grade between sizes to get a pattern to reflect my waist curve. The back rise on their pants reflects a curvy body shape and has a
significantly longer back rise. (Translation: if you need the StyleArc Flat bottom Flo pants, these
patterns are going to take work for you to get them to fit.) <br />
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Their block is based on <b>an average height of 5'4"</b> which is significantly shorter than the big4's block of an average height of 5'8". I still had to shorten the patterns but I'm 5'1" if I measure right after I see the chiropractor. On average, I took out an inch above the armhole, an inch between waist and hip on the tops and one to three inches between waist and the floor on the pants and the maxidress (a far cry from the average 7-10 inches I take out of most patterns).<br />
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Most of their patterns are designed for stretch fabrics, anywhere from 30 to 100% stretch.I have only tried the women's patterns and I haven't tried any of their patterns for wovens (none of them but the Linen Loungers appealed to me) but I made seven of their knit patterns.<br />
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<h3>
Rating:</h3>
I love these patterns. They fit the way they say they will (always a bonus!) and for every pattern you can see what they look like on lots of different sized and shaped people. There is reasonable ease in the patterns I tried, in other words, they fit like they say they will. The pants have decent sized pockets. My iphone6 fits in my front pocket of my Sos pants. They have lots of options in every pattern and they don't cost an arm and a leg.<br />
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They also have an amazing community in their private Facebook group. Lots of support if you need help with a pattern or a technique or need to figure out how to make a pattern work for you. I am in good company with my crazy love of sewing an instant wardrobe. It made me feel better to know I am not the only crazy person who sews a wardrobe in four days.<br />
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You can try <a href="http://www.patternsforpirates.com/product/peg-legs/" target="_blank">their legging pattern</a> and <a href="http://www.patternsforpirates.com/product/pirate-pencil-skirt/" target="_blank">skirt pattern</a> for free. And that includes <a href="http://www.patternsforpirates.com/product/peg-legs-maternity-add/" target="_blank">the maternity add on</a> to the leggings and the <a href="http://www.patternsforpirates.com/product/peg-legs-add-ons/" target="_blank">color blocked version of their legging with pockets</a>.<br />
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I wish they would put up a top pattern for free as well because I think that they would sell more patterns if you could try both a top and bottom. That said, I am sure there will be a lot more garments made from patterns by this company in my future. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAhTX49g-2RsYXpA05zcTalC11TmaYO3KULRNuUQ16GXU_FNPBRqz1x1PBg7Li5DFFcwSarojyt3dEerjFweKxycTIF1j0h8GWgYM69msIYsh1mhvc6of5ZK5h2vZrD_2vtaWm/s1600/2017-08-12+18.25.52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAhTX49g-2RsYXpA05zcTalC11TmaYO3KULRNuUQ16GXU_FNPBRqz1x1PBg7Li5DFFcwSarojyt3dEerjFweKxycTIF1j0h8GWgYM69msIYsh1mhvc6of5ZK5h2vZrD_2vtaWm/s320/2017-08-12+18.25.52.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first set: Sos Pants and the Essential Tank. The tank fits exactly like a tank top I purchased and love. The pile of fabric is the plan of what is to come. My sewing room looked like this when I started. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeRT5nEYYLI11sHpCJiwStrkUtEhrnUmQzPWKhUrIzlN9djxTbl62xA9MMDhKler9sndl60tImKY862JCnrZpe727U7wZfPileEQx3Tv2vlalIvzvTJ7ivwk6QWclYLxK3GlUW/s1600/2017-08-14+22.55.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeRT5nEYYLI11sHpCJiwStrkUtEhrnUmQzPWKhUrIzlN9djxTbl62xA9MMDhKler9sndl60tImKY862JCnrZpe727U7wZfPileEQx3Tv2vlalIvzvTJ7ivwk6QWclYLxK3GlUW/s320/2017-08-14+22.55.18.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sos Pants made from stretch denim, and the Essential Tee without a band. The essential Tee fits like a tee shirt I purchased and wore out. I am thrilled to find a tee shirt that is not tight across my belly and hips. Notice the clean sewing room. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPCJMgDGjMSypYOJuzcuRN9NX_wQDUrOA8wYCASQFyyRqrdTzzG1bWzIZkCYwTjvrvqWhDV4z-4lFbPJffISu6tbVensqUR-p9wfRHyh6hNi_NJaNrMcwBmsiOPZhFI9e7TMg/s1600/2017-08-14+23.08.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPCJMgDGjMSypYOJuzcuRN9NX_wQDUrOA8wYCASQFyyRqrdTzzG1bWzIZkCYwTjvrvqWhDV4z-4lFbPJffISu6tbVensqUR-p9wfRHyh6hNi_NJaNrMcwBmsiOPZhFI9e7TMg/s320/2017-08-14+23.08.39.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Essential Tee and Sos pants. These pants are like the Jalie Elanor stretch jeans but they have real front pockets! I straightened the pants from an inch above the knee to hem so they are not tight on my calves. I can roll them up to capris, no problem. <br />
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Sos Pants in black ponte, Essential Tee with a band in a rayon sweater knit. Wow, I need to clean that mirror.<br />
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Sunshine dress maxi with a lot more skirt than the pattern calls for because I wanted the fullness. I didn't put pockets in the skirt and I am going to add them. I wore this dress to karaoke with my daughter and goddaughter. And how do other people get such good selfies? These are my first selfies and they are no where near that good. You can't see the decent coverage on this dress. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />Boppingbeth (aka Beth or Elizabeth)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16615987747725943362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22212213.post-21643718006025632642017-08-05T17:31:00.002-04:002017-08-05T17:31:38.306-04:00The Wedding DressI'm reviving this blog to document my fibre frolics.<br />
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It probably won't be a lot of writing. Once a month would be good. But I want to do a year of sewing stash patterns, in imitation of Sewing Pattern Review's Stash Pattern contest, and I thought that the blog would be the prefect place to document the journey. I collect patterns. I need to use them or let them go. <br />
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First up will be the Patterns for Pirates patterns I have in the stash. I have a few I have tried and many that I need to sew that are all printed and ready to tape together. <br />
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The other big project is the remake of my goddaughter's wedding dress. We are adding a custom lace layer to her dress, complete with changing the top part. Right now the skirt is taking up my dining room table while I bead and there are beads and pearls and sparkles all over the house. It is a little crazy.<br />
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But that is normal for Fibres and Fashion in the Fast Lane. <br />
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<br />Boppingbeth (aka Beth or Elizabeth)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16615987747725943362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22212213.post-33955049738703302602015-01-26T19:11:00.001-05:002015-01-26T19:11:08.815-05:00XL adults coat, supposed to fit a 46" hip.<br />
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I received an XL child's coat, with a 42" hip. Needless to say, it does not fit. I'm annoyed because I sent photographic proof, and got no response. So here is the coat:<br />
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<br />Boppingbeth (aka Beth or Elizabeth)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16615987747725943362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22212213.post-47466365159531992372014-11-16T17:55:00.001-05:002014-11-16T18:20:30.540-05:00Just a little sewingThe sewing bee is on over at Sewing Pattern review. I decided to enter, failed to finish my skirt on time, and then decided to go for the sew along part.<br />
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This is the result for the sew along for Round two. Five men's silk shirts (two of them dupioni!) to this:<br />
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The lightest blue shirt will end up becoming a tank top, but it isn't finished yet. The jacket is #518 Fantasia jacket. It is an expensive pattern, and I love the shape, but it didn't have seam allowances added so I avoided using it for years. I finally decided to just cut the pattern up and use it The skirt is Lekala 5088, the free three seam skirt. If you haven't tried them yet, you should. It is a perfect fit. <br />
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I didn't have enough shirt to cut the length I needed for the pieces, so the jacket is a little shorter than I want, but I still like it. The front band is made from the front band of the dark blue shirt. It means I can button the whole thing up, or wear it open if I want. I didn't add the optional ties or darts, but I will for the next one. <br />
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I lined the skirt, and used a petrasham waistband because I definitely didn't have enough fabric anywhere to make a full length waist band. The back of the skirt is the front of a shirt with buttons all the way down.<br />
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I have to say that I love this outfit! It is so comfortable. My husband would not let me move the cutting board or the pins when we too the pictures. Boppingbeth (aka Beth or Elizabeth)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16615987747725943362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22212213.post-42439441158051347692014-07-18T19:34:00.001-04:002014-07-18T19:34:26.880-04:00Long time, no post!Soooo....<br />
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Last November, I took over as Youth Group Leader, and that killed all forward momentum as far as sewing was concerned, along with all knitting and almost all other forms of creative life. I said I would be able to do the job until February; they hired a lovely replacement for me as of the end of May. She is a fabulous replacement, and will be excellent at the job. I really like her, and so do the kids which is the important thing. <br />
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I survived writing a novel, and a novella, having my child register for University nearly six hours away, and we have almost almost bought a house. Paperwork continues to take left turns, but we are buying a house.<br />
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Now, I am going back to sewing (and writing), as much because I have to decide to either move it or lose it, and there is a contest to use stashed patterns at the moment. Sew sew sew.<br />
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I have been totally inspired by <a href="http://theviviennefiles.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/starting-from-scratch-color-schemes.html" target="_blank">Vivienne's Starting from Scratch series</a>. A fellow blogger has summarized all <a href="http://sewingplums.com/2014/07/17/the-vivienne-files-wardrobe-plan-starting-from-scratch/" target="_blank">the post links </a> and given a link to the discussion on Stitcher's Guild, too. And you can buy the wardrobe guides (which you should because they are awesome). So between this inspiration and the contests, and the fact that I have time in between packing boxes, I am sewing.<br />
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Some sewing was successful, and will have pictures. Some of it will not.<br />
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On my current fail and give up on the pattern because I do not want to move it list:<br />
1. Scout Tshirt, loved by many, but it did not work for my body. It was bad, so bad I threw the garment in the trash. I did not enter it into the pattern stash contest. It is well drafted. It is a great pattern. I am short and curved; it is neither. I looked like I was wearing a sac. It had straight side seams. <br />
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2. <a href="http://www.tessuti-shop.com/products/our-fav-top" target="_blank">Favourite Top Pattern</a><br />
I'm sad this one was a fail because it is comfortable and loose and perfect for a summer top. Unfortunately, it is straight and square, and I am short and curved. I will put up a picture because it is a great pattern. It just doesn't work on me. <br />
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3. <a href="http://www.lekala.co/catalog/women/lingerie/5245#sthash.PeIPLYIc.dpbs" target="_blank">Tank Top </a><br />
This one is maddening because it should work. I ordered a pattern based on my measurements but did not make a couple of needed adjustments. It has straight sides. I do not. The armholes were too low (right--remember those adjustments? this was part of them), the top was too short, the sides were too straight.<br />
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Recognize a pattern here? Yeah, by now, I should, too.<br />
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Oh, but there were also sucesses!<br />
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1. <a href="http://www.lekala.co/catalog/women/pants/5459#sthash.YiTcIh1U.dpbs" target="_blank">These pants</a><br />
Fabulous! Muslin fit first time out. Final pants needed about a half inch scoop in the back, and the front waistband lowered for my tilted waist, an adjustment that I need to do for nearly every pair of pants. But, length, waist size, hip size, proportions, drafting--all excellent and looks great on me. And they are so comfortable. These are on my make again list.<br />
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2. <a href="http://www.lekala.co/catalog/women/pants/5236#sthash.3nvLfe70.dpbs" target="_blank">These One Seams</a><br />
Yes, they look like pj pants (and one seams are really pj pants when all is said and done), but I am wearing them right now. Minor changes at the waist, same as above, and otherwise fabulous. I will be making more of these. These are narrow leg pull on pants.<br />
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3. <a href="http://www.lekala.co/catalog/free%20patterns/womanfree/5446#sthash.nAhpStZ0.dpbs" target="_blank"> The White Shirt</a><br />
This one was awesome. I finally figured out I should start with a free pattern to determine my adjustments. I've worn this shirt a couple of days now, and it is really comfortable. The only thing is that the sleeve pattern was three inches too short--easy to fix (and check for on further patterns).<br />
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4. <a href="http://www.sbccpatterns.com/shop/sb322-tonic-t-shirt/" target="_blank">The T-shirt </a><br />
Fabulous pattern, fabulous drafting, fits perfectly. Drafted for petites. Free. I love it. I will be making many more.<br />
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5. <a href="http://www.sbccpatterns.com/shop/sb302-maxi-skirt/" target="_blank">Maxi Skirt </a><br />
Love it. Fits as is, no changes. Double layer skirt. Will make more than one. <br />
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So, tomorrow when I wash the shirt, pictures. <br />
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<br />Boppingbeth (aka Beth or Elizabeth)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16615987747725943362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22212213.post-2279382913466091132014-04-14T21:44:00.001-04:002014-04-14T21:44:15.651-04:00Lace and Roses<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div style='width:600px;margin:0 auto'><div style='position:relative;'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/lace_roses/set?.embedder=504013&.svc=blogger&id=119277484' target='_blank'><img force='1' border='0' height='472' title='Lace and Roses' src='http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/MsUOJu56UgqsVJLnfn8mPw/cid/119277484/id/BAaZcz-E4xGB26_GNxsv_g/size/c600x472.jpg' alt='Lace and Roses' width='600'/></a></div></div><br/><div style='text-align:center'><small><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/lace_roses/set?.embedder=504013&.svc=blogger&id=119277484' target='_blank'>Lace and Roses</a> by <a href='http://boppingbeth.polyvore.com/?.embedder=504013&.svc=blogger' target='_blank'>boppingbeth</a> featuring <a href='http://www.polyvore.com/long_sleeve_sweaters/shop?query=long+sleeve+sweaters' target='_blank'>long sleeve sweaters</a></small></div></div>Boppingbeth (aka Beth or Elizabeth)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16615987747725943362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22212213.post-42547533918394305442014-04-14T20:38:00.001-04:002014-04-14T20:38:10.689-04:00Daisy Daisy<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div style='width:600px;margin:0 auto'><div style='position:relative;'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/daisy/set?.embedder=504013&.svc=blogger&id=119271035' target='_blank'><img force='1' border='0' height='403' title='Daisy Daisy' src='http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/zufvXCXlVObbpZicMTaVuQ/cid/119271035/id/Vn0tODbE4xGd2Dusmu7EJQ/size/c600x403.jpg' alt='Daisy Daisy' width='600'/></a></div></div><br/><div style='text-align:center'><small><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/daisy/set?.embedder=504013&.svc=blogger&id=119271035' target='_blank'>Daisy Daisy</a> by <a href='http://boppingbeth.polyvore.com/?.embedder=504013&.svc=blogger' target='_blank'>boppingbeth</a> featuring a <a href='http://www.polyvore.com/stretch_skirt/shop?query=stretch+skirt' target='_blank'>stretch skirt</a></small></div></div>Boppingbeth (aka Beth or Elizabeth)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16615987747725943362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22212213.post-40120496770709141442014-04-14T19:23:00.001-04:002014-04-14T19:23:34.514-04:00Teacher Wardrobe--Built around a neutral<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div style='width:600px;margin:0 auto'><div style='position:relative;'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/teacher_wardrobe--built_around_neutral/set?.embedder=504013&.svc=blogger&id=119263795' target='_blank'><img force='1' border='0' height='457' title='Teacher Wardrobe--Built around a neutral' src='http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/PLdLDCAsfgWAZIoz5Vx3bQ/cid/119263795/id/TNU8zCvE4xGQFbSt6xSULw/size/c600x457.jpg' alt='Teacher Wardrobe--Built around a neutral' width='600'/></a></div></div><br/><div style='text-align:center'><small><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/teacher_wardrobe--built_around_neutral/set?.embedder=504013&.svc=blogger&id=119263795' target='_blank'>Teacher Wardrobe--Built around a neutral</a> by <a href='http://boppingbeth.polyvore.com/?.embedder=504013&.svc=blogger' target='_blank'>boppingbeth</a> featuring <a href='http://www.polyvore.com/metal_bangles/shop?query=metal+bangles' target='_blank'>metal bangles</a></small></div></div>Boppingbeth (aka Beth or Elizabeth)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16615987747725943362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22212213.post-57150708102672229142014-03-24T21:18:00.001-04:002014-03-24T21:18:32.699-04:00Summer look 1<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div style='width:600px;margin:0 auto'><div style='position:relative;'><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/summer_look/set?.embedder=504013&.svc=blogger&id=117274773' target='_blank'><img force='1' border='0' height='495' title='Summer look 1' src='http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/oczGsG6fI3e8P3Qxmn8nxA/cid/117274773/id/dFpGWruz4xGm3FBulJXARQ/size/c600x495.jpg' alt='Summer look 1' width='600'/></a></div></div><br/><div style='text-align:center'><small><a href='http://www.polyvore.com/summer_look/set?.embedder=504013&.svc=blogger&id=117274773' target='_blank'>Summer look 1</a> by <a href='http://boppingbeth.polyvore.com/?.embedder=504013&.svc=blogger' target='_blank'>boppingbeth</a> featuring a <a href='http://www.polyvore.com/black_mini_skirt/shop?query=black+mini+skirt' target='_blank'>black mini skirt</a></small></div></div>Boppingbeth (aka Beth or Elizabeth)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16615987747725943362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22212213.post-59187255679965771792013-09-08T19:35:00.002-04:002013-09-08T19:35:50.955-04:00It is fall, so it must be....a new capsule time!Fall is in the air around me in Southern Ontario. The evenings are cool, the days warm, and now I turn to thinking about sewing. <br />
<br />
I've been sewing, even though I fail at pictures. Just a few pieces here and there. I made a couple of fabulous cardigan sets, one in a red plum and one in a fabulous flowered print that my youngest called upscale Hawaiian (which it definitely is!), and one in a flower etched white stretch velvet. All three of them are using different cardigans from the StyleArc patterns, and they are all awesome. Along with two different bottoms from rayon polyester crepe (a pair of one seam pants in a narrower leg width, and a pull on skirt with a flared bottom), and a pair of pink stretch denim pants, I think I have a full 8 (or 9) pack. And, even better, they are not all black. <br />
<br />
But the real bonus is that they all go with the things I had made previously--like my teal sylearc skirt with the fold over waist band, my dark blue Barb pants, and my denim capris. I love how sewing smart just adds to my options now. I have done enough planning, enough thinning and have a good sense of my own style, so now things are beginning to work together even if I only make one or two pieces. <br />
<br />
So fall is in the air, and I think I need to add a few dressier pieces to my wardrobe. <br />
<br />
I've been thinking along the lines of using some dark grey rayon poly lycra to make a real suit jacket (from stylearc), a pair of dress pants or two, and a skirt. And then to use some of my lovely embroidered cottons to make a few dress shirts. I don't have many of those in my wardrobe at the moment, and I have two different patterns to try. These will mix and match with what I have, and give me a little more of a grown up vibe. Which isn't a bad thing for a teacher. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/images/stories/products/J002-Sara-Jacket.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="166" src="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/images/stories/products/J002-Sara-Jacket.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">StyleArc Sarah jacket</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/images/stories/P017_Leah-Pant.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/images/stories/P017_Leah-Pant.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leah Lounge Pants</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/images/2013/BRENDA-BLOUSE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="166" src="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/images/2013/BRENDA-BLOUSE.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brenda Blouse--I think in white and in black would be awesome. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/images/stories/products/B002.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="166" src="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/images/stories/products/B002.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiffany Blouse--in a soft plum or deep red</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
If I get even half of this done, I will be doing well.<br />
<br />Boppingbeth (aka Beth or Elizabeth)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16615987747725943362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22212213.post-47024680369321597092013-08-02T11:40:00.001-04:002019-01-06T18:15:43.468-05:00Reality is in the Pictures (Or what I did not post for the stash contest, part one)Those of you who have been reading me for a while realize that I do not love taking pictures, particularly of myself. This means that although I have sewn a gazillion yards of fabric in the last two months, the reality is that I did not take or post pictures for reviews for the Stash Contest. <br />
<br />
I know, bad bad bad. Particularly when I probably sewed enough fabric I would have been in the running to win. I have won this contest before; I do not need to win. I need to see the bottom of the sewing room floor and be able to put everything away. I need to use the stylearc patterns I have purchased. I need to update my wardrobe. These are my goals. And, these are the goals I do think I managed to achieve. <br />
<br />
So, dear reader, here is round one of the pictures. I promise there are more items than this; I just have to rescue them from the wash. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9pGx5nZg1fE9uoMFMGnMSOUw-6vG1H84Sm8JOeReuguXnsTLZEBTDp2CMcL9loePjXooxBvAmx04Lp5W9kSVlWnRzHTCR4Ht7QkAUKVQ3wVCO_YxuUZ7QTp422hzy1KR57Ip/s1600/IMG_0487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9pGx5nZg1fE9uoMFMGnMSOUw-6vG1H84Sm8JOeReuguXnsTLZEBTDp2CMcL9loePjXooxBvAmx04Lp5W9kSVlWnRzHTCR4Ht7QkAUKVQ3wVCO_YxuUZ7QTp422hzy1KR57Ip/s200/IMG_0487.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spinning Wheel Cover--4 1/2 yards</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCiV2lv-HtgPZamt-fhlCZTa5D7C1KgqXgFxvBVnvbKM0oD7KbBjb2bFk5rWWFP-wMvVKJNethMk5A3eNYu3BJ8JsxfAoXpes7SjIg9JNaOpwDKmBxZR-5ZpyiDHuRaRu9uvgK/s1600/IMG_0499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCiV2lv-HtgPZamt-fhlCZTa5D7C1KgqXgFxvBVnvbKM0oD7KbBjb2bFk5rWWFP-wMvVKJNethMk5A3eNYu3BJ8JsxfAoXpes7SjIg9JNaOpwDKmBxZR-5ZpyiDHuRaRu9uvgK/s200/IMG_0499.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ottobre T-shirt 1 yard<br />
4 gore skirt- 1 yard<br />
These did not make the 'keep me' cut!<br />
The neck on the T-shirt is too high on me.<br />
The skirt is just not flattering. <br />
Exercise will do that. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTOczEfrJjXrqaEz4TEvdJHETEU34023M1D-ny2sJ5qJ4qwy_yjkfjKmjHet20eqFYeSs1foVNzfejmMH1dmdKAclgH_qp5jWxY55uTZq-E_g620W_VNPRJJgHBeZSfPXiAtU/s1600/IMG_0500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTOczEfrJjXrqaEz4TEvdJHETEU34023M1D-ny2sJ5qJ4qwy_yjkfjKmjHet20eqFYeSs1foVNzfejmMH1dmdKAclgH_qp5jWxY55uTZq-E_g620W_VNPRJJgHBeZSfPXiAtU/s200/IMG_0500.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ottobre T-Shirt--neck lowered,<br />
but is still too high--1 yard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEYHmtiJ9QNobkWn3eqrQmj3knsG28vlNzz2qdhexhCOKN-WtjzvQzh1Lf7QKArr5zV_erHaRLiuGDUoETPrYmlxilDIDCZUSqvEcx2MPS1BwU5QvZ_CatmL63zNib-6Hh9xh/s1600/IMG_0502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEYHmtiJ9QNobkWn3eqrQmj3knsG28vlNzz2qdhexhCOKN-WtjzvQzh1Lf7QKArr5zV_erHaRLiuGDUoETPrYmlxilDIDCZUSqvEcx2MPS1BwU5QvZ_CatmL63zNib-6Hh9xh/s200/IMG_0502.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Variation 1--Alabama Chanin Tank Top--1 Yard<br />
I wear this one a lot. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4QVuOgNbmHuZSXGrthw8g96VoI2SClwChbXcz2kFnfvuOH1ULvBCNpGv4aciA3zs0P5c8tlXjUuhCC18NpWwM0MZKXQg2fisI_k59UsKTfbNrbUkM6up-WJ_muVGYx7R-spx/s1600/IMG_0501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4QVuOgNbmHuZSXGrthw8g96VoI2SClwChbXcz2kFnfvuOH1ULvBCNpGv4aciA3zs0P5c8tlXjUuhCC18NpWwM0MZKXQg2fisI_k59UsKTfbNrbUkM6up-WJ_muVGYx7R-spx/s200/IMG_0501.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alabama Chanin Tank, Verion 2, 1 yard<br />
I love this one more, <br />
but the fabric is weird to the touch. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRkg_kR4jCmDqoU7K5I9mHH-TLBhBDd3mKIM4gZzP5_8V-Ju2NuJvz2vVXNmf6qmrWHZSk5FZKRl1e0yVKYVctx9YEmJ4LbrinpRM95nB8kRRRtDiRui0ikXlheQa-o6CGqu9/s1600/IMG_0504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRkg_kR4jCmDqoU7K5I9mHH-TLBhBDd3mKIM4gZzP5_8V-Ju2NuJvz2vVXNmf6qmrWHZSk5FZKRl1e0yVKYVctx9YEmJ4LbrinpRM95nB8kRRRtDiRui0ikXlheQa-o6CGqu9/s200/IMG_0504.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loes Hinse Dress--3 yards<br />
Have to say that I love this silly thing!<br />
Very 80s style, though.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipa4vgYgvzipW0wEZgNGfA4laDGoiL1aXKVSqLiYm1_ZQ6I_BdmlNawGBDhVRl5Etb02epGCv5RXeyaTJIrd9GjaLhKTfzCD21pidf8XUcXor713lgc93rI4tRVx1Q6Yt4Tu5k/s1600/IMG_0505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipa4vgYgvzipW0wEZgNGfA4laDGoiL1aXKVSqLiYm1_ZQ6I_BdmlNawGBDhVRl5Etb02epGCv5RXeyaTJIrd9GjaLhKTfzCD21pidf8XUcXor713lgc93rI4tRVx1Q6Yt4Tu5k/s200/IMG_0505.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Variation of Style Arc<br />
False Front cardigan with a<br />
Drafted Facing.<br />
1 1/2 y<br />
Bottom line: read the directions!<br />
Did not make the cut, because of the fabric colour.<br />
My friend loves it </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhloBdJGq5WEiecksSJRA_SaNA-0JxoHsTjrDQeLfV0R9VBE5DYErzPdqDoOdqXbBkTmBy93tXMOefrdk3zgYb61TMp3mUQ9Jmri1YQ7c1ne0fR0ue7uo4UNKEHxOsvxxtNg5lJ/s1600/IMG_0512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhloBdJGq5WEiecksSJRA_SaNA-0JxoHsTjrDQeLfV0R9VBE5DYErzPdqDoOdqXbBkTmBy93tXMOefrdk3zgYb61TMp3mUQ9Jmri1YQ7c1ne0fR0ue7uo4UNKEHxOsvxxtNg5lJ/s200/IMG_0512.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alabama Chanin Tank Version 3<br />
1 yard<br />
Style Arc skirt--2 yards<br />
I wear both of these a lot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDy7hP-VDaNzPTaKC-0J7KcxVwbYLxHrlLBWlEwepQaFlxVmML1g8LKkYLBpbF4hSy8z6RP9e4EJaxTLoBjbQisaa3Nb4DEZPXYL_McxhZpANbRn5jNPDDL5Z1RpqulBckVGG/s1600/IMG_0509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDy7hP-VDaNzPTaKC-0J7KcxVwbYLxHrlLBWlEwepQaFlxVmML1g8LKkYLBpbF4hSy8z6RP9e4EJaxTLoBjbQisaa3Nb4DEZPXYL_McxhZpANbRn5jNPDDL5Z1RpqulBckVGG/s200/IMG_0509.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alabama chanin Tank Dress<br />
1 1/4 yards<br />
Love this silly thing!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8wWvCwLfoYtQI_As3nfcvgjb5gHrj1_z9iwJ8hsP8ofJhkaljKl4IjynqmeOXZUFFZC0tzKn4BLLbiiJWB5OqmYjwre3r_RVSGc7IsYhKHBNLDf04YKt5pJ6TJt3LFETvwn5/s1600/IMG_0506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8wWvCwLfoYtQI_As3nfcvgjb5gHrj1_z9iwJ8hsP8ofJhkaljKl4IjynqmeOXZUFFZC0tzKn4BLLbiiJWB5OqmYjwre3r_RVSGc7IsYhKHBNLDf04YKt5pJ6TJt3LFETvwn5/s200/IMG_0506.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Style Arc Capris, without the buttons.<br />
1 yard<br />
This fabric was really stretchy, and<br />
I took them in three times.<br />
Wear them, but they don't work<br />
in my wardrobe (more about that later).<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZ4mMM7zz2IjjFD_LCwSV0LnBjN-YWWLFoEQW3hBKVJN3CFxg5jFCGK0DKmJqcvlXpCn3ePAoJ0PPrOPn478ZRfHIbifrmFcboouK4UUNyJqa9vp8MJ0sDG17PpqikOdSkpQ7/s1600/IMG_0507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZ4mMM7zz2IjjFD_LCwSV0LnBjN-YWWLFoEQW3hBKVJN3CFxg5jFCGK0DKmJqcvlXpCn3ePAoJ0PPrOPn478ZRfHIbifrmFcboouK4UUNyJqa9vp8MJ0sDG17PpqikOdSkpQ7/s200/IMG_0507.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Style Arc Capri pants, just lengthened 7 inches.<br />
1 1/4 y<br />
I wear them, but the fabric stretches out like<br />
Crazy! They look like preggy pants<br />
at the end of the day. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigrOlo5dwSdsqN1p51TFNA1O23EsRc1bS-KgMw7ho_w_8euebXmUq7jtHkX3wlrLL86Sd06q5N4k8SD3bRb7dBuzr3-ezinNEkV_G6Cejvim27qtE9s3kEMxGk6I5FshzRBb1K/s1600/IMG_0510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigrOlo5dwSdsqN1p51TFNA1O23EsRc1bS-KgMw7ho_w_8euebXmUq7jtHkX3wlrLL86Sd06q5N4k8SD3bRb7dBuzr3-ezinNEkV_G6Cejvim27qtE9s3kEMxGk6I5FshzRBb1K/s200/IMG_0510.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Style Arc Caite Top, 1 yard<br />
I wear this, but I am not convinced it is<br />
flattering. It does, however, fit. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQmXCvFPYMcW8ZgJmeX6gwtkf9ThlovyvKq2WMmKeTPJP6JxE4rJf9A3L29bjop3DLPDplC-ivZmV3dtaAmW3fZuPOn6vWdEj_BKBioqzsO_saLaN-404No1dLlMychgkGpLN/s1600/IMG_0511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQmXCvFPYMcW8ZgJmeX6gwtkf9ThlovyvKq2WMmKeTPJP6JxE4rJf9A3L29bjop3DLPDplC-ivZmV3dtaAmW3fZuPOn6vWdEj_BKBioqzsO_saLaN-404No1dLlMychgkGpLN/s200/IMG_0511.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Style Arc Kim Cruise Dress, shortened 4"<br />
1 yard fabric, 1 Yard lining.<br />
Fits well, not my colouring.<br />
(Seeing a pattern here, dear reader?)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4Dvptv0xDys8lTj7din7SoqV797VhtmqoBx074avuIzAB7TYDRi8b2rkWKlI4qPZ-HllJU6IV2RL29YiiSVETPOd7MUVtC-q-MkMI5zq0r5_a8iUjyE5fb5tN4kTKlynuUbN/s1600/IMG_0514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4Dvptv0xDys8lTj7din7SoqV797VhtmqoBx074avuIzAB7TYDRi8b2rkWKlI4qPZ-HllJU6IV2RL29YiiSVETPOd7MUVtC-q-MkMI5zq0r5_a8iUjyE5fb5tN4kTKlynuUbN/s200/IMG_0514.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Style Arc Leggings<br />
1 1/4 yards<br />
Strech Fleece<br />
Love love love these,<br />
even if it is 95 degrees in the shade here. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD447JHTST0qVzi8URK-LX9Q10AqOAyyKh0we1eMZuNulIYHveH-peCAZhthkDeWyAcy5oa6pv6TY_RnTOEwPHX4EF3psnfcSx-mPiDuwz7Ao_WbTpERMY8zB0eZUEcv9xKGf5/s1600/IMG_0515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD447JHTST0qVzi8URK-LX9Q10AqOAyyKh0we1eMZuNulIYHveH-peCAZhthkDeWyAcy5oa6pv6TY_RnTOEwPHX4EF3psnfcSx-mPiDuwz7Ao_WbTpERMY8zB0eZUEcv9xKGf5/s200/IMG_0515.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Style arc Capri Pants, dark grey,<br />
lengthened<br />
1 1/4 y<br />
Wear these a lot, all the time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
So, this is round one of the 'what I did not post for the contest' posts. Yes, there was more sewing. This is about a third of what I made. There are still 3 maxi dresses, several pairs of legging shorts, denim capris, a jean jacket, and at least 4 tank tops which have to be rescued from the wash to take pictures on Judy. <br />
<br />
What I will say at this point, however, is that my effort to make my summer wardrobe more light and bright was not my best wardrobe planning move (although my friend who loves loves loves those colours is really happy right now, since she is getting all my cast offs). She looks amazing in the zigzag dress, and the light grey stuff works well with everything she owns. Light bright and spring are her colours. The deepest colour she wears is the bright blue. So, she gets about 7 things to take home from this sewing exercise. Still it is sewing fabric out of my stash. <br />
<br />
I wear deep and dark and high contrast. Plum, teal, steel blue, denim blue, deep grey, black, with larger more definitely black and white prints work in my wardrobe. About the lightest I should go is the deep bright blue and bright pink (hot pink). Even then, a darker intensity of the colour is better. When I lined everything up on the rolling rack, the song that kept going through everyone's mind looking at the tan pants, and the light blue capri pants was: some of these things are not like the others. Some of these thing just do not belong. And, that was the reality when I got dressed every day. The denim capri pants got worn. The light blue ones did not. <br />
<br />
More later. <br />
<br />
<br />Boppingbeth (aka Beth or Elizabeth)http://www.blogger.com/profile/16615987747725943362noreply@blogger.com1