I'm still here and I've been very busy. I just don't have anything to show for it. Amongst day-to-day busy-ness there has been a family reunion, hiking trips, some knitting, and lots and lots of project planning. I've been feeling inspired to do lots of crafty things lately but I keep running into speed bumps that keep me from moving ahead as quickly as I'd like to.
The biggest problem I'm having has to do with sewing. I want to start sewing clothing for everyday wear...not just costumes or special events. My daughter and I are frustrated with ready-made clothing choices. We can spend hours, even days, shopping to find casual, everyday clothing and come home with nothing. We go with an open mind but so many of the clothes available now are ugly, made of super thin fabric, and overpriced for the poor quality that they are. When we do find something we like, the fit is often very bad and/or they don't have it in our size. We figure that sewing our own clothing would be a good solution. However, we've been searching through pattern books and finding some of the same problems...styles we don't like, not many options, and, when we find one we like, the store often doesn't have the pattern or they don't have it in our size. I've had a bit of luck online with vintage and historical styles. I'm going to start searching for everyday styles of patterns online and hope for similar luck.
When we do find a pattern, we're often running into the problem of not finding fabrics we like to go with them or enough yardage of what we do like. Selection seems to be limited in fabric too. We're currently on the search for fabric stores outside of our area that aren't chain stores. We plan to make a few day trips and hoping for some good luck. In the meantime, I'll be wearing the same few pieces of warm weather clothing that I have. Ugh!
I'm happy to report that my knitting, crochet, yarny mojo that has been on vacation for a while has finally returned. Yay! I've been looking through patterns and my stash with great excitement and I have so many projects lined up that I don't know where to start! I'm trying to finish my "Clever Little Shawl" before I start something new but I have a feeling that I might not be able to wait. ;-)
This tends to be a very crafty-inspired time of year for me. I'm not sure why but I remember being extra crafty at this time of year even when I was a child. It must be all the sunshine! That's what happens to solar powered people! Now, I hope can clear the speed bumps so I can start speeding along to to the finish line with a lot of these projects while the inspiration is here!
4 comments:
While I don't have trouble buying clothing. I seem to find plenty I like. ;-) I don't sew clothing anymore because the fabric choices are so awful! AWFUL! Don't bother going to the fabric store in down town Escondido. It's not a chain, but not so good either. I'll be anxious to hear how the search goes. You can probably have better luck on line. There are tons of fun blogs about sewing your own clothes. Maybe there will be suggestions there. If I find any links, I'll send them your way.
I feel your pain. I am tired of trying on dresses or blouses that force the wearer to don an undergarment that will be visible. Save up your gas money and have a day trip to Mood Fabrics on Pico in LA. Just be careful about their button section and try to close your eyes when wandering past the sari silks.
I'm feeling rather lucky that I have wonderful fabric choices nearby.
If you are looking for basic pieces to start, maybe think about drafting your own patterns - there are some great books out there that will guide you step by step, and at least get the basic silhouettes you want and can then change up.
I'm really hoping that you have good luck with that! I gave up on sewing about 7 years ago when I had a dress completely put together and was down to the button holes being put in only to find that the pattern was not sized correctly and the dress was about 4 sizes too small. NO, I checked, I cut on all the lines that said size 10 (I always cut larger, it's safer to have to take it in a little) and it turned out about a size 4. That was the proverbial straw for me. That and the cost of patterns and fabric. It's ridiculous.
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