Hello Friends! I've been pondering my sewing for a few days, I'm still on the couch with a horrible cold/flu/virus-thing that has me down for the count (no work, no parties, no leaving the house, or barely leaving the couch for that matter!). I thought I might be well enough for a little bit of sewing today, but cold meds are not my friend (they give me shakes, anxiety and otherwise general dopiness), though they did help with the symptoms. In any event, I will not be taking them tomorrow!!
Regardless, I browsed the internet a lot over the past few days, and placed an order to Vogue Patterns (SALE ALERT!!) even though I REALLY don't NEED any other patterns...(shrugging). I am INSPIRED!!!
I'm still searching for the "right" pattern to use for my tailored jacket project, though I think I will just pick on without any further ado. I've made my shopping list for the things I will need in order to complete this project, and hope to get started this weekend.
I have decided that despite all of my prose on the subject of goals, I think I WILL make a few.
Goals for 2014
Knitting:
1. 1 pair of socks a month
2. Three sweaters (one for myself, and one for each of my daughters)
3. Sweater for my baby niece and nephew
4. Stash busting! I have a YARN ROOM, people. A whole room for my yarn. It is starting to be a bit overwhelming, so I need to use some of the gorgeous colourful yarn I already have.
Sewing:
A. Learn how to use the coverstitch capability on my serger (!!) I think I'm a bit frightened of this. I don't want to "wreck" any projects with it. I just need to do a few projects to gain my bearings, maybe basic tees to wear hacking around the house.
B. Tailored Jacket project - I'm researching this, have a shopping list, just have to pick the pattern and the fabric (from my stash - see letter G below)
C. French style jacket project
D. sew one garment a month from Burda magazines (I have a HUGE collection that has basically collected dust over the years)
E. perfect a trousers pattern (I'm enrolled in a pants drafting course, and a pants sewing course at our local college, so hopefully I'm well on my way to this one!!)
F. Unofficially join the RTW fasters Link Here. Any time I join anything officially, I don't seem to be able to remotely complete anything near my goal, so I will follow along unofficially. I have more than enough fabric to work on this, and I'm working towards some really aggressive saving goals, and ready to wear just really isn't in the budget this year. Which leads into...
G. Stash busting! My stash is threatening to take over my basement. I have SO MUCH untapped potential there!!! Gorgeous fabrics that I can't wait to use!!! I'm not saying I won't buy fabric, but I need to focus on what I already have. I'm an emotional fabric buyer, and a sucker for a great deal; but I'm hoping to transfer my stress buying into actually working on projects.
H. I also want to do a better job of documenting my projects. I'm hoping to get a tripod early this year so I can take photographs of my projects to give you guys a better perspective of what I'm working on.
Those goals are pretty general, no real SMART qualifiers to them. I'll have to work on that, because without timelines and the other qualifiers, they just become ramblings.
Showing posts with label RTW Fasters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label RTW Fasters. Show all posts
Monday, January 20, 2014
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Buongiorno!!
I have returned from my vacation in Tuscany! It was an amazing two weeks with lots of history, pasta, cheese and of course, red wine. We spent a TON of time walking and exploring the old towns and cities, viewing art galleries, and driving the incredible roads. Florence (Firenze in Italian) is amazing - I could spend more time there, learning about the city. My parents were amazing - it is so much fun to hang out with them. My mom is a great tour guide, and my dad took to driving in Italy like a native!!
I have not yet had time to upload my photos (and some of my memory cards I mistakenly packed in my suitcase which has not yet made it to Canada), but once I get my suitcase back I will upload a few of them. I have been told my suitcase never left Florence, though I cannot blame it - it was hard to leave!
I was inspired by the window shopping I did in the various towns - Italians are very stylish!! I love the little shops that have original and unique fashions. I did a lot of sketching, and dreaming up outfits - my sketch book went with me everywhere, and I was once asked when we stopped for lunch if I was a designer! (I took that as a huge compliment as it was in Prato, the textile capital of Italy where they manufacture textiles for the main fashion houses). Staying true to my RTW Fast, I only bought myself a sweater from a market in Lucca as it was unusually cold even for this time of year. My suitcase was delayed in getting to me when I arrived as well, and while I had a change of clothes in my carry-on, I desperately needed another layer!
My travel wardrobe worked relatively well, though I packed too much. Things I was glad I had included a pair of slip on running shoes in black (oh how cold the floors are in Tuscan villas!!!), wool socks (I wish I brought more), my black riding boots that lace up the back took me all through Tuscany and made me feel as stylish as the local women, my black skinny pants that are styled like jeans but really are dressier than jeans - I wore these a ton!! I could have done without my knit pants (for some reason I just feel like I'm wearing pyjamas when I have them on and just didn't feel comfortable in them when we were out touring), even though I wore them a few times. I didn't wear the short sleeved tee shirts I threw in at the last minute - the forecast SAID it was going to be warmer, and I packed them in case it was.
Things I noticed fashion-wise, EVERYONE is wearing low heeled boots with skinny pants, whether they be jeans, stretch twill coloured pants or leggings. Boots were for sale everywhere, in every price range, and in brown, black, tan, grey and red. I think I may have even seen a green pair! Studs were also big in the footwear. Women and men always had a scarf, and the puffy coat is a HUGE fashion item this winter (maybe every winter there!). Chunky sweaters were also something everyone seemed to be wearing, and could be found in almost every shop. Green, from a bright emerald to a dark forest green was everywhere in the shop windows, shown in leggings, sweaters, stretch twill skinny pants, and skirts.
While I haven't been sewing, I have been knitting up a storm! I took three pairs of socks with me to work on. I finished two pairs while I was away, and the third is almost done. Though I must confess, two pairs were already works in progress.
I have not yet had time to get to the sewing machine since I returned (I'm still fighting jetlag so my evenings are really unproductive and I usually end up going to bed at 9 pm!), though I am busily planning my next SWAP/wardrobe projects. I hope to have a couple of sewing days next week. My plan is to get a few more "work" pieces done, and maybe a pair of jeans. Though I may end up sewing for university daughter #2, who has recently come to understand the value of a mother who sews, and needs some new clothes even worse than I do! :)
Hopefully I can share some photos with you soon!! Off to find an espresso...
I have not yet had time to upload my photos (and some of my memory cards I mistakenly packed in my suitcase which has not yet made it to Canada), but once I get my suitcase back I will upload a few of them. I have been told my suitcase never left Florence, though I cannot blame it - it was hard to leave!
I was inspired by the window shopping I did in the various towns - Italians are very stylish!! I love the little shops that have original and unique fashions. I did a lot of sketching, and dreaming up outfits - my sketch book went with me everywhere, and I was once asked when we stopped for lunch if I was a designer! (I took that as a huge compliment as it was in Prato, the textile capital of Italy where they manufacture textiles for the main fashion houses). Staying true to my RTW Fast, I only bought myself a sweater from a market in Lucca as it was unusually cold even for this time of year. My suitcase was delayed in getting to me when I arrived as well, and while I had a change of clothes in my carry-on, I desperately needed another layer!
My travel wardrobe worked relatively well, though I packed too much. Things I was glad I had included a pair of slip on running shoes in black (oh how cold the floors are in Tuscan villas!!!), wool socks (I wish I brought more), my black riding boots that lace up the back took me all through Tuscany and made me feel as stylish as the local women, my black skinny pants that are styled like jeans but really are dressier than jeans - I wore these a ton!! I could have done without my knit pants (for some reason I just feel like I'm wearing pyjamas when I have them on and just didn't feel comfortable in them when we were out touring), even though I wore them a few times. I didn't wear the short sleeved tee shirts I threw in at the last minute - the forecast SAID it was going to be warmer, and I packed them in case it was.
Things I noticed fashion-wise, EVERYONE is wearing low heeled boots with skinny pants, whether they be jeans, stretch twill coloured pants or leggings. Boots were for sale everywhere, in every price range, and in brown, black, tan, grey and red. I think I may have even seen a green pair! Studs were also big in the footwear. Women and men always had a scarf, and the puffy coat is a HUGE fashion item this winter (maybe every winter there!). Chunky sweaters were also something everyone seemed to be wearing, and could be found in almost every shop. Green, from a bright emerald to a dark forest green was everywhere in the shop windows, shown in leggings, sweaters, stretch twill skinny pants, and skirts.
While I haven't been sewing, I have been knitting up a storm! I took three pairs of socks with me to work on. I finished two pairs while I was away, and the third is almost done. Though I must confess, two pairs were already works in progress.
I have not yet had time to get to the sewing machine since I returned (I'm still fighting jetlag so my evenings are really unproductive and I usually end up going to bed at 9 pm!), though I am busily planning my next SWAP/wardrobe projects. I hope to have a couple of sewing days next week. My plan is to get a few more "work" pieces done, and maybe a pair of jeans. Though I may end up sewing for university daughter #2, who has recently come to understand the value of a mother who sews, and needs some new clothes even worse than I do! :)
Hopefully I can share some photos with you soon!! Off to find an espresso...
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Finished the Pants (but you'll just have to believe me...)
Last night I finished my grey trousers. You'll just have to take my word for it for the time being, because other than really really lousy cell phone pictures, I haven't coerced my photographer yet. I'm not 100% happy with the fit, but I have been successful in removing the excess fabric that used to hang and bunch at the upper back thigh area. But, I guess they're still better than what I would have "settled" for if I had to rely on the mall for clothes. I will try again when I get back from my upcoming vacation.
I also finished another Marcy Tilton tee - another V8636. Yup, love a TNT for ease and flexibility.
Ignore the drag lines on the hips, it was late and by the time I realized the top wasn't on the dressform properly, I was already heading up to bed. I'm toying with the idea of silk screening - it certainly would add some pizzazz to this top, which for the time being is rather...dull and plain, and quite casual, which really wasn't what I was going for. Maybe I'll add some surface embellishment with texture...I'll have to think about it for a bit.
I've also decided to join the RTW Fasters group. RTW Fasters Webpage I know, I know...I'm such a joiner, and I usually can't follow through (sometimes with really good reasons, though!). But this comes with some serious contemplation. I'm really really trying hard to cut back on my budget, and with a fabric (and yarn) stash that I will probably not use in my entire life (literally, folks!), there really is absolutely no reason for me to go out and buy clothes. I am also frustrated with the "same-ness" of every store in the local mall. They all have the SAME thing! Add to that the fitting issues I have with RTW and I feel frustrated and disappointed every time I make a trip to the mall. So...RTW Fasting it is! I'm excited!
Up next...more tees from Marcy Tilton V8636, in a variety of fabrics, some tunics from Marcy's V8582 and some quick and easy leggings from M6404.
I also finished another Marcy Tilton tee - another V8636. Yup, love a TNT for ease and flexibility.
 |
| V8636 - Marcy Tilton pattern |
I've also decided to join the RTW Fasters group. RTW Fasters Webpage I know, I know...I'm such a joiner, and I usually can't follow through (sometimes with really good reasons, though!). But this comes with some serious contemplation. I'm really really trying hard to cut back on my budget, and with a fabric (and yarn) stash that I will probably not use in my entire life (literally, folks!), there really is absolutely no reason for me to go out and buy clothes. I am also frustrated with the "same-ness" of every store in the local mall. They all have the SAME thing! Add to that the fitting issues I have with RTW and I feel frustrated and disappointed every time I make a trip to the mall. So...RTW Fasting it is! I'm excited!
Up next...more tees from Marcy Tilton V8636, in a variety of fabrics, some tunics from Marcy's V8582 and some quick and easy leggings from M6404.
 |
| V8636 |
 |
| V8582 |
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| M6404 |
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