Finished a pair of pants yesterday. No, no picture. They’re just dusty forest green pants with an elastic waist and wonderful deep pockets. Nuttin’ fancy.
I know I go on and on about how much I’m liking a wardrobe where all the pieces match all the others. When I was a youngster and I shopped with my mom, I’d get “outfits” and let me tell you, I did not buy with an eye that whatever I got should “go” with other stuff in my closet. When my clotheshorse mother (well, really my dad… he was the one making the money) was footing the bill, why bother to think about it? Yes, I’m sure Mom gently nudged me in that direction, but I’m not all that conscious of it.
When I was on my own, I learned to sew, but still tended to do so according to fancy, rather than an eye to a whole. Then I went through a period of mostly wearing tunics or salwar suits, and again didn’t think much about my clothes in terms of a finished wardrobe. So, it wasn’t until I was nearly 40 that I really had one, and I’m enjoying it. I can dress things up or down with scarves or jewelry, everything matches with several pieces and I can go almost anywhere except a fancy dress ball and be dressed appropriately. Since I haven’t worn a ball gown, nor needed to, since my last prom at 18 this particular wardrobe lack is less than urgent.
What’s also nice is when I get a wild hare to sew, I can design to a pre-established background. I’ve never really thought in terms of matching wardrobe presentation before. What I really like about it is that once it’s done, I don’t have to give presentation a great deal of thought. The wardrobe is there hanging in my closet and I don’t have to root through a bunch of mis-matching garments in the hopes of finding something. Or worse, I don’t have to have that sinking feeling that all my matching outfits are in the wash. I can guarantee that I’ll have something appropriate in the closet even if it is not my bestest and most favoritest combination.
I’ll be making the green shell next week. Garment construction is going to be limited to one a week simply to keep me from getting too into this at the expense of working.
I also need to get my butt over to the fabric store for some facing. When my kimono fabric arrives, I definitely want to be able to get on that! I’m making my next one unlined, just so I can have a summer yukata for visiting. The lined kimono is really a rather heavy garment and really only nice for winter. Though for winter, it is very nice, indeed!