Pink+Grey Striped Knit Top | Lace+Navy Tank Top | Coral-Striped Kimono Top |
White Linen Blend Skirt | Ikat Knit Tank | Pink Scoop Top | Brown Linen Tank Top |
Stripey Scoop Top | Textured Maxi | Navy Chevron Maxi
Contrary to the impression I’m making on this here blog, I’m actually a pretty organized and very reliable person. I’ve always been pathological about meeting deadlines and following-through, but lately…hmmmmmmmmmm. Let’s just say I’m working on getting back on track. Maybe the sweltering sauna that is my bedroom and the lack of routine is throwing me off. I’m so excited for fall and the attendant predictable schedules.
Anyway, before summer ends, I wanted to recap my attempt at making a vacation wardrobe. Remember my sketched plans for all the things I wanted to sew up for our Michigan trip back in June?
I had a goal of creating 10 items to take with me, and I fulfilled it! What you see way at the top is what I ended up packing with me, and I wore every. single. thing while inhaling inhuman amounts of cherry-studded foods. Admittedly, all are super simple garments to make, but these were early days of my dipping my toes into sewing for myself. I’m sad that not everything held up well. The stripey scoop top snagged itself onto every protrusion and died a rapid death, the bias bindings of the textured maxi and brown linen tank need mending, and the white skirt still leaves me feeling undignified every time I wiggle into it (no closure, if you recall). In spite of all of that, my mother-in-law kept asking me if I made my ready-to-wear clothes instead of my handmade ones, so I was secretly pumping my fist in the air.
So I’ve been whipping out weekly outfits for myself for almost three months now, and I’ve been learning a ton. First of all, I’m acutely aware of my body shape on a whole new level, complete with sewing terminology.
Back in the day, I would have been mortified to admit that I have a back to rival a petite sumo wrestler (there are such things), a reptilian-like long torso and a non-existent patootie. My standard operation involved retail therapy to find an outfit that would hide said elements. And then I would usually feel bummed out when the clothes would in fact highlight them.
The funny thing about sewing for myself is that in roughly twelve weeks, I stopped seeing my body as flawed. I used to stare dismally at ill-fitting clothes in ghastly-lit dressing rooms, vowing to go on a diet stat, because I thought weight loss was the answer to everything. I now view these unique attributes as just that. Attributes. Contours that are challenging to fit, yes, but they don’t make my stomach sink to the depths of despair.
I have big plans for the fall, my friends. Jackets. Perhaps a coat. Easy, drapey long-sleeved tops. Pants. Lots of dresses – I discovered that I love dresses! I’ve gotten over being embarrassed about the muscularity of my legs, and adore the ease and comfort of a good dress. Underwear? That might be a tough one. And I will continue to sew for K too, of course. I feel, however, that her modeling days — at least with some semblance of willingness — might be numbered…we shall see.
I still have a long way to go in terms of making truly great-fitting and wearable clothes for myself, but I don’t think I’ll ever buy clothes again. Well, unless it’s something phenomenally fabulous that makes me look like Salma Hayek (which would never happen, so maybe I’ll be sewing clothes for myself till I keel over). It’s been over a year since I bought any clothes, and frankly, I don’t miss it at all. Shoes, on the other hand…maybe I need to learn cobbler skills.
In the last few days I’ve been immersing myself in sewing blogs and visited burdastyle.com for the first time. Over 880,000 members! And so many blogs! So inspiring, but so overwhelming. For now, I have more fit issues to conquer and will share my progress soon!
Such an accomplishment sanae – to have not bought any clothes in over a year. I am probably almost the same. although I don’t sew much for myself… I just wear the same stuff!! I am often seen dragging three kids from the car at kinder drop off in my jeans and big red gumboots!! so great you are enjoying wearing dresses – I just don’t do much of that, but why the hell not?!!
Haha, I think jeans are the universal mom uniform, though gumboots – I don’t own any and I live in one of the rainiest places! And yes, dresses! Wear some, Suz, you’d look so smashing!
Yay! Woot woot! (Just cheering from the sidelines :))
[waving arms in the air] Thanks Liza Jane! I was really inspired by your comment in one of my earlier posts about how your whole perception changed about your body when you started sewing and boy, were you right!
Wow, good work! Love to read about your changed attitude towards your body. Having seen your pins on Pinterest I’m looking forward to your fall creations!
Thanks Nienke! You’ve seen pins of my self-made clothes? I knew that images of the stuff I sew for K’s been around Pinterest a bit, but I would be surprised if my own clothes got pinned!
Great accomplishment! Your goals are similar to my own — I started sewing for myself about a year ago and have bought very few RTW items since. Sewing for myself was so scary when I first started, but now I LOVE it, and I have found that kind of sewing, much more than sewing clothing for my kids, has really advanced my skills. Keep it up!
Katie, I love the clothes you make – they’re fabulous. And those pants for your husband!!!!!!! M has rejected almost everything I’ve made him so far so I’ve been hesitant to make him anything more (though to be fair, my skills were pretty shoddy when I sewed for him). So glad to hear that adult sewing (am I the only one who thinks it references x-rated things when I type that?) advanced your skills – that’s one of my big goals!
Congratulations on seeing yourself differently. I wondered how that was evolving… you sound stronger and more confident already. I am proud of you!
Kind of tangential, but your comment about thinking weight loss was the answer reminded me of something. So there’s this plus-size lady who works in my building, I see her all the time. She is very proportionally framed, has delicate facial features, always has styled hair/fresh makeup/unchipped nails, and of course she is beautifully dressed every day, with outfits that highlight her hourglass figure. (Lovely woman, too – very kind, always smiling.) She dresses very “timeless classic” – not trendy or edgy – but this is appropriate for her age (I believe she’s in her early 50s?). Seeing her over the years has completely convinced me that weight is a totally separate issue from dressing well and looking fantastic.
I look forward to seeing your new and evolving wardrobe! If you don’t mind my saying so, please don’t hide in your clothes, Sanae, your figure is lovely and shouldn’t be sequestered behind baggy shapeless styles.
Thanks so much June! And thank you for sharing the story about the stylish lady – you’re totally right and I hope I’m as classy and fab when I’m in my later years!
I definitely want to explore more fitted/structured clothing. I love me some comfy clothes, but I’m learning that doesn’t mean it has to be massively baggy. My mind is churning with ideas!
I want to AMEN your post! this is where I am too… it has become fun to figure out my particular body style and figure out how to fit it correctly. Although admittedly as I learn a few of my friends have benefitted from garments that didn’t turn out to fit me like I thought!
AMEN, sista! What a generous friend you are to gift handmade clothes – I think I would selfishly try to salvage them or repurpose them into something else. I’m happy to send you my measurements for any future donations 🙂
You go, Sanae! What an inspiring, empowering post. Eager to see what Fall ’13 brings!
Thanks Lucinda! You know me and my grand plans – if I make even a quarter of what I’m planning, I’ll consider my Fall ’13 “collection” a success 🙂
Very interesting post Sanae! I really think the selfish sewing teach lots as you said. Since I had my daughter almost 3 years ago I have been more or less all the time in my “baggy uniform”, I wish I could be that disciplined and set my strategy to sew for myself. I love your plan!looking forward to seeing your creations.
I’m no stranger to the baggy uniform, Maria! In fact, I love it and kind of secretly want to sew some over-sized things for those days that I can’t be bothered…It took me until K was almost 7 to start sewing for myself in earnest! Never too late…
I love your illustrations. What a fun way to catalog your wardrobe! And I am totally with you on how sewing has changed my feelings towards my body. There are no bad bodies or body parts, just bad fit.
Thanks Morgan! I think sewing is so wonderful and I need to embroider that on a wall hanging or something: “There are no bad bodies or body parts, just bad fit”. And girl, your romper is amazing. I need to learn shibori from you asap! Let’s get together soon!
I love your illustrations and your summer wardrobe. I have a long torso and full bust too. Making my own clothes is the only way to get a really good fit. I’m looking forward to seeing your fall creations!
Thank you Beth! It wasn’t until I started sewing that I fully realized just how long my torso is – no wonder I could never find tops that fit me!
BTW, I love seeing all your DIY outfits – so clever!
What a wonderful accomplishment, especially since it helped changing your body image. Congratulations! I am so looking forward to your fall and winter wardrobe! I am dreaming of making a coat…. But for now I am very proud of my me-made summer clothes – I only wore my own things on holiday! And YES to dresses! I suddenly love dresses, too – and have not bought any clothes since january, and absolutely don´t feel like shopping (well, except for fabric!). Sewing is truly therapeutic.
If you are interested in underwear sewing inspiration, I can recommend http://verypurpleperson.com/ and http://clothhabit.com.
I am glad to be back and have enjoyed reading about all your adventures in the past weeks! (and shed a few tears over your beautiful declarations of love for M and K…)
Ute!!! Welcome back! It’s so lovely to see you back here 🙂 Was it glorious in the Mediterranean? So awesome that you had an ENTIRE handmade vacation wardrobe!
And thank you for the underwear sewing inspiration – I’m convinced it’s the way to go. Good bras that don’t cost an arm and a leg are so hard to find, and after looking through the links, they don’t actually look too intimidating. Who woulda thunk that I would be sewing lingerie?? Cute underwear is now on the list!
And this is a great post about why to make your own underwear, if you need to be convinced 😉
http://www.orange-lingerie.com/2013/sew-your-own
sanae, this made my heart just absolutely soar. it sounds weird to say i’m “proud” of you since this accomplishment is entirely yours, but i’m so HAPPY for you, for all you have done, all you have learned, for all you hope to do. how moving that sewing has healed you in so many ways while it has educated, focused, and soothed you. bravo. i’m so thrilled you will continue to inspire us and look forward to your upcoming fall collection 🙂
Aw, thanks Ashley! I wish I had paid attention when my mom was trying to teach me sewing at around age 5. Then I might have bypassed all the issues and would probably be the CEO of some multi-national company while serving as UN ambassador and CIA agent. Oh, and penning several best-selling novels. All in my great-fitting self-made outfits of course.
Oh yes, I’m so PLEASED for you too. What a wonderful place to be in, both in terms of your sewing and your understanding of yourself.
Thank you! I’m obsessed with sewing, I tell you, and it keeps getting better! 🙂
WOW. A whole year without buying clothes…IMPRESSIVE! I am in the same boat as you. Just now do I feel comfortable wearing dresses without trying to hide my legs (tights, boots, etc.). I can’t wait for fall and all of your wonderful creations!
Dresses are the bee’s knees! You are so gorgeous Venus, gotta show off the gams!
Love these posts of yours….I was just thinking some of the same thoughts. I also have that long torso, but will need to do small bust adjustments, and in a world where a small chest always left me feeling incredibly self-conscious, it somehow feels empowering to suddenly just think of it a a small bust adjustment. I don’t know why, exactly, but it does. And that’s a good thing. It goes much deeper, into that realm of self acceptance and staying in the moment, instead of running away into thoughts of ‘things will be better, when I….’ Who knew how powerful sewing could be…
Thanks Monica! So funny, I had always wished I wasn’t so top-heavy because it made running difficult and just makes me look larger in general. But you’re right, now that I’m learning how to fit to my particular shape, sewing feels all the more powerful!
So amazing that you sketched out a mini-wardrobe and made them! What an accomplishment. I loved your thoughts on body image… we can all learn from that. Can’t wait to see what you sew next. 🙂
Thank you, Jen! I’m having such a great time sewing for myself and the body image part is a huge bonus!
I love this post! It is utterly inspiring to see you sew for yourself, and to hear about you learning to be at ease with your body shape. I recently made my first washi and hope I have just begun to learn to accept my body shape a little more. I think I will need to up my skills a little further yet, but hopefully I can set myself the goal of handmade clothes within the next 2 years. Thanks – I have loved discovering your blog over the last month.
Yay for Washis! It’s such a great pattern to ease into sewing for yourself. One of the things I love most about sewing is how measurable improvements are. I can look at things I’ve made last year and see how far I’ve come in terms of skill and quality. It’s an amazing feeling! So happy you’re following along, Tammie!