30 Nov 2010

Wardrobe Woes

Apologies for my absence. If you follow me on Twitter (@TorsGrantham) you will have heard me whinge expound at great length behind the reasons. You can't tell reading this, but this post took me several days to write. Okay, so that's a bit of an over-exaggeration but I'm stabbing at the keyboard typing right-handed due to an accident involving the wolf, two cats, the lead and my dominant hand that resulted in a spiral fracture in one finger. I'm beginning to think the wolf doesn't like me anymore, particularly as he also ate my last bag of peanut butter M&M's and you can't even buy them in this country.

Consequently, I'm going out of my gourd (fair warning) as I'd planned a lovely weekend of sewing and now can't. I tried. I really did. You've no idea how hard it is to pin a pattern to fabric with the wrong hand. Or how hard it is to pin a pattern to fabric with the right hand (or left in my case) that has two fingers taped together and are rigid. Unless you've done the same thing, of course.

What did I try? Well, it wasn't Simplicity 1683 despite gaining the missing pieces. It wasn't the cut but nowhere near stitched Butterick 2198. No, that would be too easy, finishing something I'd already started. No, I had to start an entirely new project: Style 3894. With a re-drafted collar. Blame Ali, she's the one that suggested 1970's as a potential source of flattering patterns. I even decided, given my limitations and the constant sizing issues with everything I make, that starting with a muslin might be the way to go. I didn't get very far, I admit, but at least it does look like it might fit. Hopefully. I'd say fingers crossed but really that makes me want to cry right now.

What the accident has also meant is that I finally had the inclination opportunity to clean out my wardrobe and focus on a direction with my sewing plans. I have to admit it's been helped in part by Sarah and Ali, their recent posts have been exactly what I was trying to figure out without knowing exactly what I was trying to figure out. I can't tell if the exercise has made more of a mess in my room as I attempted tidying with one hand, it was in a fair old state before I even did myself any damage, but it has helped clarify some things for me.

Namely, I want two interchangeable wardrobes broken down into seasonal pieces; work and play with spring/summer and autumn/winter pieces. My current workplace requires business casual clothing and I've been getting away with a lot more casual than I would like purely because they know I can't afford new clothes. Ideally I'd like some more formal pieces suitable as business-wear that can be dressed down and added to my casual wardrobe if needed.


Perhaps controversially I've decided to stick with colours that match my favourite shoes (read: all of them). This seemed sensible as I'm anal about matching my shoes to my outfit in some way. I still have so much to learn. I haven't gotten down to the nitty gritty yet and with a full week ahead involving Harry Potter, gourmet burgers, a sleep-over at my Mum's and a small operation on my little broken bones I don't think I'll be getting around to it until at least the weekend. I can't wait though, it's certainly going to be an interesting exercise.

Now, if you'll excuse me I'm off to watch Kirstie's Homemade Home whilst attempting to stuff a handmade teddy with one hand. Wish me luck!

Thanks for stopping by,

7 comments:

  1. Oh, boy! I am so sorry about your poor hand! Sending you loads of get well soon wishes. :)

    I have serious shoe envy now (your shoes are fabulous) and I think it's brilliant how you are going to use them as your wardrobe inspiration. Fab-u-lous!

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  2. Thank you :)

    Haha, I have a thing for shoes and bags. Those aren't even all my shoes, just most of them, and I'm trying very hard not to buy more! I don't know, though, can you ever have too many shoes? ;)

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  3. oh dear, i hope your hand heals quickly!!

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  4. Uh, oh, I've been caught! (Though I'd love to take a look at the dress you've selected!)

    Poor hand -- I can only imagine the perpetual frustration. It'd be the kind of thing that'd drive me batty, esp. since I always want to barrel forward.

    Love the shoes! A Mary Jane collection to covet :)
    And I like your thoughts on your wardrobe!

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  5. I too am very jealous of your shoes! And ouch - the finger sounds very painful, I hope it heals quickly.

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  6. Hey! Just found your blog through Va Voom Vintage's current blog list post thingy :) Genius idea - I am always looking for new blogs to follow and new vintagey friends to meet.
    I hope your sore fingers get better soon! I shall also be stalking you the next time you wear those FABULOUS green mary jane shoes out of the house *wink*

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  7. Ali, it's actually a shirt, with puff sleeves. It sounds worse than it looks ... at least until I finish the muslin and then I reserve the right to alter that staement ;)

    LandGirl1980, It's a fab idea isn't it? Yay for Brittany! I think the green ones are my favourite. Next time I wear them (with my long green socks no doubt) I'll post a picture just for you ;)

    Thanks everyone for the well wishes!

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