First off, I want to say thank you for all of the kind comments on my last post. I’ve read them all, several times. And I wish I had the time to write back to each of you, but that’s just not possible right now. I sincerely thank you for the words of comfort, encouragement and support.
This week I’ve been planning a handcrafted wardrobe on a smaller scale, for my dear Mairi Rose, who is very much in need of clothing for the autumn. I came up with a pretty simple plan with just a handful of different patterns and shapes: a basic sweatshirt-tunic type thing*, a playdress, leggings. I have a pajama pattern that I might alter to make her a pair or two of elastic waist slacks with elastic gathers at the ankles in a sturdy fabric for hiking and climbing trees and that sort of thing. And I think I’ll do a basic, quick and easy peasant dress for nighties and maybe cut it short for a blouse or two. I’m really proud of myself for keeping my plans minimal and reasonably do-able.
I realized that this sort of simplicity is really what I need within my own wardrobe making endeavors. A set of capsule patterns for a capsule wardrobe. Easier said than done.
I was once invited to join a group of dear women in encouraging each other to be creative. While I was honored to be asked and delighted to be involved with these lovely women, I was totally baffled by the idea of needing encouragement in this area. Frankly, if people really wanted to help me out, they would create some sort of support group that teaches people to resist creative urges. Or perhaps find something that could just siphon off all those surplus creative juices that so often turn me into an inspiration fueled crazy person. Because, like so many other areas of my life, this is what happens when I come up with a good basic plan…. the “and maybe…”s start up. And maybe I’ll make this alteration to that pattern and this one and that one, effectively turning into drafting an entirely new pattern, which is neither quick, nor easy, nor simple. Or I’ll come up with a collection of basic patterns and maybe decide that I should just add in a few other ones just for fun and maybe a few to add interest, etc., and it snowballs.
Less stress, streamlined sewing, comfortable basics, these are really what I need right now, so I must find a way to gag the muse and get on with it. Perhaps if I just keep uttering the words, “Keep it simple, keep it simple, keep it simple” over and over again?
Do you think you could come up with core patterns to be repeated for a basic wardrobe and stick to it? What would you include?
*I now see that this pattern has been retired, so back to the drawing board on that one.
Ooh yes I’m doing this with Birdie’s wardrobe – sticking to a handful of basics. An empire waist dress with it without sleeves, leggings, pants with elastic round the ankles, pilot bonnets, smocks, and long sleeved tee shirts. That’s the plan.
For the boys, I make the same two pants patterns – a style with cuffs and tapered legs,, and a straight kegged one (both originally pajama pants), and same long sleeved tee- “flashback skinny tee,” by made by Rae, I think.
My biggest two don’t want much handmade clothes, except woolens (thankfully!)
Hugs