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Saturday, May 5, 2012

Q&A - Sewing Everything


I love this plant and often stop to admire it when out walking.

Several posts ago, Robin left a comment asking if I sew all of my clothing. Then Carolyn wrote a post about this subject, sparked by Robin's comment on my post.

When I first returned to sewing almost three years ago, that was my goal. For awhile, I was sewing all of my own clothing.

Then I realized I was missing out on some good stuff!

I now enjoy mixing my sewn items with purchased items. The items I buy are often gently used, usually funky, and often something that would be difficult (if not impossible) to make. I check out funky boutiques, consignment stores, ebay, art festivals.

Take today, for example.

A boutique I like near Union Square, KatiKoos, featured some great Polish sweaters on their Facebook page. (They also have a newsletter you can subscribe to, but often the clothes she posts on Facebook sell out so fast they never make it to the newsletter.) I decided to take a quick visit this morning to check them out.


Uber Sweater Love

I also saw a great silk scarf.


Silk Scarf Love
(The rest of the clothing is mine.)

Unfortunately, both pieces were out of my clothing budget, so I left them behind. But these are the sorts of garment I keep my eye out for.

Do you sew all of your clothing?

This weekend I'm making a pair of pants. You might be happy to hear that I'm taking a break from the knit tops. :)


31 comments:

  1. I just love your sweater - it is so flattering and I want one. Unfortunately, or fortunately for my wallet, Sydney is a long way from the shop. :)

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    1. I hear you, Alison! I didn't buy it either. :)

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  2. I make all my own clothes now, and the money I save I goes on expensive shoes :) That is a very cool little plum coloured top, and looks entirely do-able I think. Looks completely awesome with your yummy jeans ;))
    I love those flowers too; they are proteas (sing. protea), native to southern Africa.

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    1. Thanks for telling me the name of that flower, Carolyn. I thought maybe it was tropical, because it sure isn't native!

      And you do far more than just make your own clothes. You make jewelry, you knit, crochet. You make your kids clothes.... It's exhausting to think about. :)

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  3. Great sweater and pretty color on you too!

    I read Sandra Betzina say once that she went through an "I must make everything phase" and then decided it was easy to get the loving hands at home look that way. So now she mixes.

    I'm a mixer.

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    1. I remember that, too, Bunny. I think maybe she said that in one of her old Power Sewing books. It was rather liberating when I gave myself permission to mix.

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  4. I don't sew underwear and buy basics like tank tops but I love puzzling out how things are made. So I love that challenge as well as making a garment that wasn't originally made in a plus size version.

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    1. Wow, Carolyn, I had a senior moment when I wrote my post. I had meant to mention that you had blogged about this, too, but forgot until Robin mentioned it in her comment. I've gone back and added a link to your post. :)

      I also love puzzling out how things are made, but sometimes those designers can elude me. Or I can't get the fabric they use. etc etc.

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  5. I make most of my clothes, except for jeans, have made in the past, but prefer to buy. Love that sweater on you, and those shoes!!! Where did you get those?....Anna

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    1. Anna, those are Arche shoes. From several years ago.

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  6. Nice post and thanks for the shout-out. When I read Carolyn's post, I was so inspired by all the comments to her blog, that I intended to blog about it myself. Alas, time got away from me.

    But back to you- I loooove that Katikoos sweater! And your shoes, I really like your shoes. Perfect for warm weather ahead.

    As for me, I don't sew my underwear. I tried it, but it wasn't fun, so I stopped. And I prefer getting refitted for new foundations about once a year and I stock up on whatever fits best.

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    1. Thanks, Robin! And, b y the way, thanks for reminding me about Carolyn's post! When I first decided to write this post (a week or so ago), I meant to link to hers, but forgot. In fact, I'll go back and add that.

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  7. I seem to sew most of my clothes these days, and am enjoying the better fit, comfort and uniqueness that this offers, as well as the affordability. The sweater is lovely btw and I'm sure you could make something with similar flare :)

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    1. Thanks, Dilliander! You Aussies seem to overestimate my skills. :)

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  8. Beautiful flower. It reminds me of things you see in underwater documentaries.

    I've never sewn my entire wardrobe, and doubt I ever will. I have too many hobbies and not enough hours in the day (how does Carolyn do it?) and besides, I love shopping. Granted, I'm not easy to fit, which is partly why I sew clothing for myself, but if I find something I love that fits great, it's coming home with me.

    There is a brand of sportswear/workout clothes that I love called Zella. The fabric they use for a particular line of their pants is unlike any other fabric I have found or felt. It feels like wearing a hug all day, so soft and comfy, but not sloppy. Items like that are hard to pass up.

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    1. Thanks, Andrea! Carolyn (handmadebycarolyn) is unbelievable. Seriously I tell all my friends about her blog, because I really can't believe all that she does. She bakes, too. And re-upholsters. I don't even want to re-upholster. My mom used to do that very well, and I never wanted to learn.

      But she can't help it. Her mom is the same. She recently posted a kimono that her mom made. She spun the yarn, ikat-dyed it, wove the fabric, and then made it into a kimono. Really?!?!?!?

      I will check out Zella - thanks for the recommendation!

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  9. Fun post shams, I also do not make all my clothing. I love to shop consignment and thrift stores and will pick up the odd piece just because. That sweater and the scarf are great on you-too bad they didn't fit into your budget. ah well-you are styling without them!

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    1. Thanks, Mary! I dithered about posting this post, so I appreciate the feedback.

      I am looking forward to hearing your experiences at DOL!

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  10. What a stylish shopper you were yesterday!
    I'm a mixer, too...I like a challenge, whether it's figuring out a cool RTW item I've seen, or mastering a technique. But I definitely don't feel I need to do it all...cool shoes!

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    1. Thank YOU! That means a lot coming from such a stylish shopper herself. :)

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  11. Nope, *not* tired of seeing and hearing about your knit tops!
    And love hearing yours and everyone's comments about sewing vs buying clothes. I don't do enough of either! But hope springs eternal.
    Also love the references to shops in SFO, and good websites for clothes....

    Janet in Forest Knolls, CA

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    1. Thanks, Janet! I was starting to feel like I needed to talk about something other than knit tops!

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  12. I suspected they were Arche. I have worn them but they've gotten too expensive these days. I even picked up 2 pair in Paris at a shop that discounts them. They are wonderfully comfortable if you don't need lots of support so no walking in them for me anymore.
    I sew most of my clothes. I don't do underwear, I need too much support to make my own bras. I buy sweaters and yoga wear. I r remember that Sandra Betzina quote too. I don't make handbags either since I just don't see myself making one that doesn't look homemade.

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    1. Nancy, I hear you on the underwear and bras! Not.for.me. ;)

      I do plan to make another handbag or two, as I do enjoy that process. Handbags aren't a super important accessory for me.

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  13. Thanks for taking us along on your visit to Katie Koos! Both the sweater and the scarf look great on you. I saw the sweater on FB and thought how much fun it would be to knit. I should consider it for a summer project, making it from cotton or a linen blend. It would be great for early autumn.
    As far as sewing or buying RTW is concerned... When I got back into sewing a bit over a year ago, I decided to make what I could, because it would fit so much better than anything I could buy. Working only part time in a retail position, my earnings don't allow me the clothing budget I had when I worked The Big Job. But I also don't need as many clothes, and I don't need career wear, so my wardrobe isn't costly. In the past year, the only items I've purchased have been panties, bras, socks and jeans. I've sewn jackets, tops, a shirt, and vests, and I've knit scarves and socks. I'd say I'm making about half of what I wear. I will probably purchase a sweater now and then, but I hope to knit more of them than I buy. I love copying RTW and designing my own garments, so I find it truly rewarding to be able to clothe myself! My goal this year is to sew some pants, a project I've been putting off for too long!

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    1. Dixie, I would LOVE to see you knit up a sweater inspired by the KK one!!

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  14. I only wish I had enough time to sew all my own clothes. I don't like shopping. It just makes me want to go home and sew. Now that I've decided to take a break from sewing for others (with the exception of gifts ), I'm hoping the sewing bug bites me hard and I make a record number of new clothes this year!

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    1. Great news, Kristin. You have this bangin' new bod, and it will be so much fun to sew for!

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  15. It's fun to go snoop shopping and even try things on to see if you like the fit! My goal is to make as much as possible to use my stash and increase both my fitting and sewing skills

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  16. Love both of those things you tried on, plus your shoes. You have lots of looks that work for you.

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  17. I make almost all of my clothes b/c I just can't find RTW that fits and I have OOdles of fabric in my stash! Love those shoes and that flower is Over the top! Thanks for the info on both. I guess those flowers will not grow here in the north!

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