favorite references

  • Elsebeth Gynther: Easy Style: Sewing the New Classics

    Elsebeth Gynther: Easy Style: Sewing the New Classics
    A fabulous book if you have the urge to create your own clothing designs. Basic patterns are provided, along with countless variations in sketches and photos. In addition to raglan and set-in-sleeve tops, pants, and skirts, there are pocket patterns, hats, and dozens of collars. There is a lot of basic sewing information, and there are many garments presented with step-by-step instructions, but this book is especially valuable because it gets you thinking about design possibilities. (btw the image is incorrect--it's the cover of an american knock-off on the same theme. The original is a paperback in yellow). (*****)

  • Nina Ericson: Klader:Creating Fantastic Clothes
    Great ideas for creating simple clothing. Most have very simple construction; the appeal is in using unusual materials to convey personal style. There are patterns for blouses, skirts, and coats, but for me the inspiring photos of real people are the true charm of this book. (****)
  • Verity Wilson: Dress in Detail from Around the World

    Verity Wilson: Dress in Detail from Around the World
    An inspirational feast for lovers of clothing, cloth and embellishment. Replete with detailed line drawings and sumptuous full-color photographs of garments from all times and places: Palestinan dresses, Indian trousers, Korean jackets, Russian coats (of salmon skin!), African tunics. The photos provide endless ideas for ornamentation, the drawings show every seamline as if to cry “recreate this!”. I just found this book-- it was love at first browse. (*****)

  • Madelyn van der Hoogt: The Complete Book of Drafting for Handweavers

    Madelyn van der Hoogt: The Complete Book of Drafting for Handweavers
    With my imagination in a very advanced yoga pose, I could conceive of a weaver who didn't need this book. Maybe if you did only plain weave, or only tapestry, you'd never have reason to pick up this volume. Or of course you might be a natural genius. The rest of us occasionally need some help, and this is where to find it. Essential. (*****)

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May 13, 2006

I'm not a joiner...

but, when I saw the Wadrobe Refashion blog mentioned on Whip-Up, I had to check it out. This is for me! In so many ways!

--I have a stash. Inspiration to use it up instead of reaching for more!
--I need some new style. Definitely. Inspiration to spruce up and stretch out.
--I need to either give away or re-make clothes that no longer fit. Inspiration to finally get around to cutting up some of that pile in the front hall (I missed the last charity pick-up day... I didn't really believe they'd be there by 7:30 am!)
--Budget contraints. Inspiration to stay within them.
--People get good stuff at thrift stores. I need the inspiration to start making the rounds again. I've heard you can even recycle good yarn from thrifted sweaters!
--Maybe, just maybe, this will help inspire me to follow through on my resolve to reverse some of the weight changes that have been creeping around the past year. You know what they say: love yourself as you are. Maybe a creative new image will help.

So, as a part of this wardrobe remaking, recycling, restyling project, I am supposed to post the pledge. Once it's public, I guess that makes it more difficult to go back on my word. Here it is:

The Wardrobe Refashion Pledge

I, Carrie,

Pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of "new" manufactured items of clothing, for the period of 6 months.

I Pledge that I shall refashion, renovate, recylcle pre-loved items for myself for the term of my contract.

I Pledge that I shall create and craft items of clothing for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium for the term of my contract.

I Pledge that I will share the love and post a photo of my refashioned, renovoated, recylcled, crafted or created item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog, so that others may share the joy that thriftyness brings!

Beginning June 1st. Stay tuned!

(p.s. There is a built in exemption for work/school type clothing. In other words, if I have to buy a hat or something for fieldwork, that's not cheating. Just so you know.)

Comments

Incredible. I could never take such an oath. Never in my life. I'm a weakling when it comes to cute stuff on sale :).

Good Luck! Keep us updated on what you make!

There are definitely some cute and v. stylish ideas on repurposing clothing out there. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

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