What I need is a wardrobe over haul. But my closet is such a mess! I need help figuring a few things out. I’m somewhere between stay at home and live in sweats and working girl wardrobe. I hate sweats! I love pajamas, but it’s awkward to answer the door in the middle of the day in pajamas, isn’t it? I want a soft, warm, comfortable yet presentable wardrobe. The key is to purchase the right fabric. The really soft knit, I buy from an online company, Girl Charlee. I also purchase soft cotton poplin online, here I love the way it moves with me and looks great when I use it for my skinnies. I always get compliments. See, I wear lounge clothing everywhere, it’s just sometimes it looks a little more dressed up.
I was reading about a base wardrobe, with 10 in each category that remain the same year round. I love this idea!
Workout (pants and tops)
Lounge (pajamas, yoga pants, big comfy sweatshirts)
This isn’t a capsule wardrobe, it’s separate. YAY! Clothing I can wear and not feel guilty it doesn’t mesh with my capsule, the perfect formula for a wardrobe. 😉
The latest blog I read, over at a pinchofyum.com, suggests figuring out why your style is or what types of things you do so you can build your own formula. I love that idea, like I said I don’t have a wardrobe for work anymore.
Active: gym, kids, on the go, etc.
Work: office, meetings, etc.
Dressy: formal events, concerts, etc.
Fun: restaurants, date night, etc.
Lounge: movies at home, baking, etc.
Daily: groceries, errands, work-from-home, etc.
Doctor appointments: rehab, physical therapy, counseling, etc.
My wardrobe falls between lounge and fun. YES my lounge clothes are worn for doctor appointments. LOL But, when I’m not going to doctor appointments, I have FUN clothing I wear.
This is a list of my favorite websites for sewing. It originated in 2015. Keep an eye out for 2022 updates.
The laboratory of sewing
I’m updating this site after a few years of stagnation. the list below is being updated and verified by me. I can’t wait to share my discoveries with you.
I love Sound of Music, and a few of my favorite things is one of my all-time favorite songs.
“Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes Silver white winters that melt into springs These are a few of my favorite things”
There’s a lot of information out there for new sewists.
Even the seasoned sewist can learn a great deal from some of the sewing websites.
I’ve updated this list more than once as I find new favorite websites.
This list originated in 2015. Lucy’s list looks something like this:
It’s the worldwide web….obviously there are more resources out there than anyone can use. I did a version of this blog when I first started sewing. My opinion of the best sewing blogs has evolved. This is an update to that list from last year. In no particular order, of course.
Fitting– a textbook online Personalized Patterns: Fitting & Altering
Clothing Patterns 101 – this site is amazing because they show you how to modify patterns to your specificity.
Sewing Parts Online– videos of everything any seamstress wannabe could desire
FREE classesfrom Craftsy, download them and hoard them. Their classes are not usually free.
FREE patterns– Actually if you didn’t want to buy patterns, she has most things you would want on her site.
Simplicity– Perfect site for storing your fabric and pattern stash. A wonderful reference when you are shopping and cannot remember what you need and what you have.
Threads Magazine– So, you’re at home and need inspiration or just want to learn new things? I love this site for that reason.
Mood– I just discovered this one and feel like there is more information than I’ll ever be able to get bored with, they also sell fabric.
Knowing the parts of a machine is the most important part of sewing. Seriously! All that tech garbage just gets in the way of creativity. But, nonetheless, these parts of a machine are extremely important to know. If you do not know the thingamajig is actually the feed dogs, no one can help. Because when you ask for help they will have no way of explaining to you how to accomplish what you want. I’m including a video to help you through the darkness of the valleys. Hopefully encouraging you not to quit sewing before you get started just because the parts of a machine are bullying you.
I promise over time you’ll learn these things and sewing will be a breeze. Pretty good graphics but they are not exactly the same on every machine. the best place to look is your menu. Once you learn about your machine. How to thread the needle, what the parts of the machine do, and most importantly how to turn it on, you’ll be ready to practice sewing some straight lines.
Some people start sewing on paper, following a pre-drawn line. I was afraid it would somehow kill the sewing machine. I started with making curtains and pillows. Those are two simple projects that can be made quickly and are fulfilling. ENJOY!
