I'm Not a Before

I read Jenny Rushmore's blog this morning (she's a blogger and founder of the Cashmerette sewing pattern line)  Her theme that she's not a before (as in before/after) really resonated with me.

I've never been one to make resolutions -- waking up on 1 January and deciding to change my life entirely (lose weight, go to the gym, save money, etc) -- that's totally crazy.  Yet people do it all the time.  I work at a fitness center and can attest to the fact that membership swells in January.....then falls back to normal in February (or the first snow storm).

The idea of before and after implies that something's wrong (before) that can be fixed (after).  But rather than thinking in stark before/after images -- why not just think of one's life as a continual evolution and path to self improvement?  And rather than focus on how one looks, maybe focus on being healthy (eat right and regular exercise), giving (volunteer anyone?), learning, and people?

My own goals for the year are varied.  But I do want to sew more.  Specifically the following.

Ginger Jeans
Cascade Duffle Coat
Dress (Washington?)
All purpose tops (Lark Tee?)
Exercise Tops
Exercise Bottoms
Lingerie
Cargo-style Capris

These all seem to fit in with my lifestyle.

Finally - Some Finished Projects

I've been sewing quite a bit lately.  Very slowly because I'm a bit of a perfectionist and fitting is always a bit of a challenge.  I finished five items recently: 3 versions of the Grainline Studio's Scout Tee, Cashmerette's Appleton Dress, and Grainline Studio's Hemlock.

I'll blog more about each separately, but I wanted to leave you with this closeup of the Hemlock's neck/binding.  I finally got something that looks remotely professional.  Sewing knits has been a real challenge for me.

Really Slow Fashion

Like many makers, I'm trying to sew/knit many of my own clothes to get away from today's fast fashion world of cheaply made, throw away clothing.  But it takes time. A lot of time. And getting things to fit is somewhere between an art and a science.

And sometimes things just don't work out.  I tried to make a dress using a pattern similar to a ready to wear dress I wear frequently (Pattern).  I actually made two muslins to test the fit before cutting the dress out of the fashion fabric (that's a whole nother subject).  But it didn't help.  The chosen fabric was just too stretchy and the weight of all that fabric stretched the armholes half way to my waist.  There was nothing to do but cut it up and find a more suitable use for the fabric.  The rest was wadded up and thrown into the trash.  The technical term for such a project is a "wadder. "