analog me

Swatching

I'm packing for a trip. At the last minute I always freak out because I might not have the right knitting project. It has to be somewhat compelling, but not difficult to keep track of, not require too much equipment, not too big, but not finished too fast.

I'm going to work on some new mittens. Here's the swatch.

I know most people hate swatching, but I love being able to do a miniature sample.  It's a little tactile preview of what's to come. Fast and yet sometimes hard to get right--this actually took me a couple hours to decide on the embroidery stitches.  But, if I figure out the right tension, materials, tools, the project usually works.

I wish I could swatch other aspects of life.

Cosmetic surgery--or how to fix a T

As I mentioned the other day, I bought a new T-shirt that didn't fit very well. I also showed an image of canning jars. I didn't really make it clear that the canning jar image was on the shirt, See?

See how the shirt just fits the bust, and is barely stretched over my hips, but is too big everywhere else? See the uncomfortable and ugly neck? The flapping sleeves? Unfortunately, pretty much every T-shirt fits me this way, so I have developed a nip and tuck technique to remove those sags and wrinkles.

Observe the wonders of t-shirt cosmetic surgery:

I have now performed this surgery multiple times--even on cashmere--and my success rate is very high. You will even be able to leave the house in your re-stitched shirt within MINUTES of finishing the procedure! 

Since I'm not all that curvy, I'm guessing this situation must be even worse for most women. If you want to learn the secrets on re-stitching a too-big, boxy T-Shirt to fit without sagging, head over here.

Notice that I didn't expose my face to the blogosphere today?  Instead of plastic surgery I am thinking of trying to discover the secret to refashioning my clothes to have one of these face shields for those trying days.

And a mitt, (do watch the video !) Brilliant for a mitten-loser. I have to try that.

(Thanks boys for the interruption, it proved inspirational.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The thrill is gone

The really odd thing about trying to wear as much self-made clothes as possible for the month of September is that I am so over it. I thought I was going to deepen my relationship with my unique, handmade wardrobe. And  I did. For example, I had fun gardening in my Off-Road skirt, especially when I ran out of bags to hold the harvest and was able to remove my self-stiched slip and use it to transport zucchini. (Why am I always exposing my undergarments in the community garden?)

But I also found I resented having the dog splatter my self-stitched white shingle t-shirt with mud. Last month I needed to process my self-sown garden bounty--a pretty messy endeavor -- and I wanted to sheild my self-made wardrobe from that aspect of my life. I got tired of thinking so much about what I'm wearing, going to wear, need to wear, haven't worn, need to be photographed wearing, and got filthy while wearing or might dirty considering my schedule.

In short, the relationship between us became something different from what I thought it would be when I said "I do." The clothing concerns became intrusive, annoying and tiring instead of inspiring, supportive and exciting. 

I even cheated on my Wardrobe Refashion pledge and bought my first new T-shirt in several years. This is what the shirt has on it:

(don't you just love T-Shirts with canning jars on them?)

When I tried it on at home, I remembered why I don't buy t-shirts. The tubular design doesn't fit people whose bodies have complex geometry. I am going to have to completely refashion it to feel normal in it. It needs a new neckline, some armhole shaping, waist definition and a way to get the bottom around my hips. 

Some snipping, tucking and stitching-- maybe a little cosmetic surgery can re-ignite the flame? 

 

 

"Off-road" skirt

After one year of blogging, I  have to say, I sometimes I think that the comments are a lot more interesting than what I struggle to say. I can have a seriously hard time expressing myself,  but then some comments will make me think--oh yeah! that's right! 

Then there is the strangest phenomenon: the comments that I could swear were left, but I can find no trace of: ghost comments. So one of these "paranormal comments" was to the effect that it can be exciting but unsettling to go "off-road" in garment design. (Did someone say that? I think you did.)

Anyway, it's a great metaphor for my preferred mode--going "off-road" with a fairly good chance of difficulty or even outright failure in exchange for not getting bored.

So this was my favorite project of Self-stitched September.

I call it the "off- road skirt" because I made it the day after I finished my pants and had had it with using patterns, tape measures, zippers, closures, and directions. Instead of being patient, I folded the leftover fabric on the floor, threw a skirt on top, used a chalk pen and french curve to draw a new shape and waistband. No road map needed.

I knew a curved hem in corduroy would be no fun, so I just bound it with bias-tape. From beginning to end it took 1 hour. (I'm not counting vacuuming those little corduroy bits up--o.k. I admit, I still haven't done that.) The result is an asymmetric, closure-less skirt about 8 inches larger than I am. I put it on, fold the waistband to fit and then pin it. The grain is vertical in the back and diagonal in front. 

As well as being downright fun to make, I enjoy wearing it  and it's great for bicycling--perhaps even off-road bicycling. 

The crazy thing is that I think it is just as successful as some of the projects that I have spent hours on--all the time forcing myself to follow the directions and do things properly.

Now I want to try doing some more off-roading. Anyone else?