First of all, thank you all so much for the wonderful comments on Monday’s announcement! I’m thrilled that you’re excited and interested in what I’m doing. And I plan on sharing progress updates as I get closer to launch date, look for more on the pattern line as well as exciting giveaways! (Click here if you missed it: Announcing Sewaholic Patterns!)
Here we go – Self Stitched September, day one! One piece of handmade or refashioned clothing, every day this month. I’m terribly unprepared, I have to admit. I’ve been away on vacation and secretly working on developing patterns, so there hasn’t been a lot of wardrobe-building for me. And somehow it became fall so very quickly! Yesterday was only 13 degrees and pouring rain, so my cotton skirts and floral dresses aren’t what I want to be putting on any more…
Speaking of while I was away, thanks for voting on my poll (Your honest opinion, please) on how often you want to hear Self-Stitched updates. And I was delighted that the number one response was ‘Doesn’t matter to me, I just want to see the new stuff you’ve made!’
However, the second most popular answer was ‘Every Day,’ so I’m going to be posting every (week)day this month. Not weekends but Monday to Friday, so there will be more Self-Stitched fun that usual.
I’m flattered you all want to see so much of my self-stitched creations! Of course now I’m feeling the pressure to make more new things, so as to not bore you to death with McCalls 5803 for thirty days straight. And since I barely make it out the door every morning to work, I’ll be posting today’s outfit tomorrow, and so on…
Here are a few quick shots of my self-stitched wardrobe to date – it was quite late, excuse the rather dim photographs!
Dresses: 5, Vests: 1
Jackets: 2, Blouses: 2 (including my first blouse design!)
Skirts: 5 … no pants!
You may be wondering, where are the elastic waist skirts? Where’s the plaid shirt you made over?
Sometimes I finish a project, and even though I’m happy with the result, it’s still not something I find myself reaching for in the mornings. So, I pass it on! (To my sister, usually, lucky that we’re basically the same size!) I’d much rather have it out of my closet and with someone who will actually wear it. Yes, less items for Self Stitched September, but I’d rather have less items and love all of them, than have a closet full of half-loved items.
And to help remind me, here’s the list of at least FOUR things I’m going to make or finish to wear this month:
- Beignet! The machine’s back from servicing, no excuses not to make the buttonholes now.
- A Little Black Dress. I figure I need more pieces that can be worn over and over in new ways. (Less boring for you, less laundry for me! It’s a win-win.
- Another McCalls 7743. In a less bold print, but I love the fit and easy shape of this dress.
- A pair of wide-leg trousers. There have been many gorgeous pairs of wide-leg pants showing up around blog-world! I want my own pair – these ones! This will be the first pair of pants I’ve sewn since college so I’m quite out of practice. Plus of course, the joys of fitting pants over a bootylicious back end. Wish me luck!
Who’s playing along this month for Self-Stitched September? What are your goals, if any? What’s the one item you’re going to hurry up and finish, so you can wear it this month? Or are you completely prepared and ready to rock? Let me know in the comments!
I can’t wait to see all your creations this month!! I also want to make a pair of wide leg pants, but I a fear pants-making like i fear sewing with knits. Everyone tells me its hard, so I’m going to stay away until i am forced to do it!
I’m participating! I’m in the South though so I’ll be wearing my summery clothes for most of the month, its 89 degrees (F) here today! I can’t wait to get unpacked so that I can make black trousers (to wear to work) and jeggings (to wear to class)!
Fun – can’t wait to see the looks you come up with this month! :)
I’m not officially playing along because I just don’t have enough hand created pieces to get me through an entire month yet. However, I am hoping to do a mini-version while we’re on vacation. Most of the garments I’ve made lately were with this trip in mind and I think I have enough pieces to wear something I’ve sewn at least once a day. We’ll see.
I wanted to be a part of self-stitched September however I just don’t have enough hand made clothes. I do have a TON of altered clothes that I bought from a resale store and altered to fit me perfectly. Altering is all I really have time for since I’m a full time college student and a mommy. I just love seeing all the stuff you make, it inspires me so much! And now I can hardly wait to buy up your future patterns, I’m sure everything you design will be absolutely gorgeous.
Lucky me! I get all the awesome giveaways! :) I don’t have enough for Self-Stitched September, either. All I did this year was make billions of dresses and they’re a little silly to wear to work everyday. I could do the next one, and just concentrate on skirts and blouses! Good for you, and good luck! I hope you can do it without starting to hate your wardrobe!
(by the way, wide-leg pants are the BEST. Especially if you have big bum and tiny waist)
I am participating – only on the days that i leave the house! (not today as i have a sick kid to care for…).
Not sure if i will have enough to wear – and the weather here in Toronto will probably change quickly, so we’ll see. may be wearing the same thing everyday!
I’m so happy to say I’m participating in SSS! Because of my family and full time work, I limited myself to lunch time and weekend nap time sewing sessions. I’m amazed at what I’ve accomplished. Here in California, It’s in the high 80′s and 90′s still with a heatwave coming this weekend back up to the 100′s! So My tanks, cottons skirts and linen pants are just what the doctor ordered.
I plan to cut out another pair of pants before the week’s end from my Alice & Olivia pattern from a brown bottomweight that I hope to finish this weekend. I will probably make them capri’s as I already have a pair of readymade brown pants. I have a heather brown skirt cut out that will sew up pretty quick and a cropped knit cardigan, but I really want to work on a swimsuit coverup for mid-month when we’ll be camping by a lake. I already have 3 swimsuits made over the last few years, so I’m good there. But really, I’m happy with my SSS wardrobe and thrilled by the fact that over the past weeks, when I’ve looked in my closet, I’ve gravitated toward my Self-Stitched items first. It’s a great feeling.
I’m in! I’ve been sewing clothes long enough that I have a pretty decent stash built up, though I’m definitely going to have my challenging days. Namely my usually uber-casual Saturdays and post-work Fridays. The weather will be an interesting factor for me, too– it’s 94 degrees here today (which is a bit abnormal for this time of year), but it’ll probably be cool enough by the end of the month that I’ll need to break out the jackets and sweaters, at least for the evenings!
I’m doing SSS too! I’m not doing complete self-stitched outfits, but at least something every day. I should have enough clothes to incorporate one self-made item a day, but it’ll be interesting to challenge myself. I actually made a collage of what I have, and set it as my desktop image, to remind myself of what I have!
I’ll do the best that I can, can’t guarantee every day, but what I fun way to revel in the fun of making your own clothes.
I made up the V8604 trousers. Only my 3rd project so you should have no trouble at all. Love them! They make your legs look so long. I haven’t posted a pic of them yet but will let you know when I do.
Oooo…. I have 8604 in my stash too with some denim ready for jeans like Stitchywitch’s – which I need to complete so I have something casual to wear in the weekend. I managed to finish the trench I was working on in time so that’s going to be a huge help for days where I’m struggling.
My internet was playing up the last couple of days so I just saw your post about your patterns and also wanted to say Congratulations! How cool is that!
I am, as last time (May) totally unprepared, and with a sick child to boot (hmmm I sense a pattern here). So SSS may just mean trying to get through according to the rules, not styling my (few) handmade garments as prettily as possible. And I didn’t finish anything in preparation either. That’s okay, I still look forward to it. Also looking forward to seeing your wardrobe pictures! (Still love that vest ;-) And big, big congratulations on your patters line!! (Go pear shapes!)
Its so nice to see all of your handmade creations laid out together. So pretty :-)
I’m so excited to be participating in Self Stitched September but, like you, I am so unorganised after being on holiday, working full time and studying part time. But I have some projects coming together that should make it a bit easier to chuck something on in the mornings in the half sleep daze! Can’t wait to see your outfits for SSS and those wide leg trousers… really want to see how they turn out :-)
I don’t have nearly enough self-sewn items to wear for the entire month, but I’ve committed to wearing what I can. I’ll be cheating a bit and wearing clothes I’ve re-purposed. It will be an interesting challenge.
Thanks for posting your wardrobe – an inspiration to be sure!
Thanks everyone! Now I’m excited about the pants, especially if they’re an easy sew! Sounds like I should be able to squeeze them into my sewing plans somewhere :)
I’m so envious of you guys in the warmer climates! So many summery items I could be wearing but the weather here is on and off.. you never know what you’re going to get!
And thanks for all of the congratulations, I am super excited! Stay tuned for more – both self-stitched outfits AND pattern news!
Love the teal jacket! I’m gonna check out the rest of your site to see if I can find a post about the construction of that little gem : )