While we are in temporary accommodation I’m without any kind of sewing machines and post fire I own about 5 paper patterns (my digital patterns survived) and my stash has been severely reduced. Additionally I have only about a small suitcase worth of clothes left. A few dresses, my jeans, 3 tops some underwear and some sportswear and that’s about it.
All of which adds up to the fact I get to remake an entire wardrobe with virtually no restrictions. Normally I just make whatever I want to or to fill a gap but now it’s a whole new thing.
So far in my planning I’ve set myself 2 kind of goals
use as much of my stash as I want to, there will be no more saving fabrics “for good”.
Try and make more of my own patterns and as an extension of this be more daring with styles and trends
While we’ve been moving around Sydney in various suburbs and locations I’ve indulged in lots of people watching. I’m noticing what styles I like on other people and then analyzing why I like them? Fabric, fit, style, fashionability etc etc. It’s been fun and I’ve snapped pics of more than a few commuters trying to capture a detail or a fabric I really like.
I think my next step will be going and trying on lots of stuff. I’ve been avoiding that so far as I’m still swollen and lopsided from surgery (its reducing though very slowly). Once that’s down a bit more I’m going to set aside a day and just go and see what I can find. I’m hoping to be pleasantly surprised and will certainly be taking many a change room selfie to record what does and doesn’t work.
It’s going to be an interesting challenge building an entirely new wardrobe, I’m hoping I will end up with some pieces I’ll really treasure. If anyone can suggest any good blogs, books or articles I’d be keen to read them and see what else I can learn from the whole experience.
Liz
I think trying on stuff is an excellent idea. Sometimes you discover new styles you had never considered – without the pain of sewing things and then discovering you don’t like them. While starting over this way is not a choice, you can choose how you approach the re-build of your life and wardrobe – and take control. Perhaps while life might have thrown lots of lemons at you in the last 12 months, you will make lemonade from them… or perhaps a lemon dress xox
Pippa
Part of me would love a starT over with my wardrobe to have the opportunity to only put stuff into it that I really loved. whilst I will agree the way this has happened is less than ideal, looking at it as an opportunity will help you.
I spend a lot of my life essentially living out of a suitcase yet have a very full wardrobe at home that isn’t that cohesive. I look forward to seeing what you produce to fill yours.
ps have you looked at the wardrobe building project from seamwork?
Susan Goodwin
It certainly is a weird situation to be in that’s for sure. I think overall I will aim for a smaller more manageable wardrobe and just use fabrics that I really love.