zondag 31 mei 2015

Wardrobe capsule - ready to go!

I have more or less finished my wardrobe capsule. I made a few adaptations: I didn't make the dark grey skirt, but I added a bright pink pair of pants and a lime green cardigan. The khaki shirt is still planned in the capsule, and I have the fabric, but I haven't gotten round to making it. Anyway, today, on the 31st of May, I gathered my complete capsule, and put it ready for wear on the sewing machine next to our wardrobe closet. The coming month I'm going to try and wear only items from my capsule. I'll try and post pictures of every outfit I wear in June.

My whole capsule, ready to go! (the basket is filled with sewing projects, all the capsule garments are on top).

I've been wearing my capsule a lot already in May. This is a week ago.

Pretty buttons on pretty knit fabric (it's two layers, of which the top one is gathered in little wrinkles)

The mother of pearl buttons are just for decoration, the vest closes with big push buttons.


My label! I made the vest from pattern N in Happy Homemade: Sew Chic. I omitted the box pleats on the front, and narrowed and lengthened the sleeves, and added the buttons.

I wore this this weekend.

Ties with frayed edges...

...tied in the back ...
... or the front. I made the fuchsia pants in a light cotton, using the same pattern as my dark grey viscose pants. I just to in the front by a few more cm, and lowered the waist a tiny bit. I love wearing them. They a re comfy and airy. When I put them on, I feel like I'm on holiday! The vest is also from Happy Homemade: Sew Chic, pattern J, in size 14.

 Things in the garden are also starting to get going for summer...

Last week in the garden: the geranium is starting to bloom ...

...the last forget-me-nots are making me feel a bit blue...

...the peonies are about to burst...
... and the cow parsley is bordering my road to work with fine white lace.

This week the peonies have been spoiling us with their beauty. I love to press my face into the bloom ...

... and feeling the cool, soft petals against my skin while I drift away on their heavenly scent!
 I am very blessed, with my beautiful family, my lovely garden and time and energy to invest in my little creative projects. I'm feeling very thankful.

donderdag 14 mei 2015

Wardrobe Architect - getting there

I've been very busy sewing all through lent and after Easter, too. Not so busy blogging, though. But I've made a list of finished projects, so I'll get them on the blog sometime, maybe. I've also been gardening a lot. Basically having a lot of creative energy and fun. I just wanted to document three garments I made.
My top, in hot pink, and slate grey cargo pants (I added elastic in the trouser hems, big pockets with ruffles and push buttons and back pockets)

My three youngest wanted to join the photoshoot. I can wear the pants up (as seen here) or down, or just tighten the elastic in the hems, so they don't catch when riding my bike.

The cardigan, in dusty pink.

I finally got myself some new blue jeans, they're part of my wardrobe capsule, too.

Notice the rainbow planters: summer here we come!

The cardigan closes with push buttons, the big mother of pearl buttons are just for show.

Happy?

Crazy happy!

Marieke making friends with our three Araucanas: Lola, Bibiche and ZsaZsa.

Marieke and Felix playing with water on a hot day.

I would really like to post my complete wardrobe capsule and a look into my fun capsule notebook some time soon. I only have one more garment to make: the khaki blouse. I haven't made the slate skirt either, but I think I'll just omit that, in favor of a second blue jeans, or maybe some bright pink pants (I got the fabric). And I added a green cardigan, which I bought second hand. And then, in June, I plan to try and wear nothing but my capsule for a whole month, just to see if it can be done. I would have Willem take my picture every day, to see how many different outfits I can combine. And I would not make any efforts to get things laundered quicker than normal. If I can do this, then I know that my capsule is enough. That should give me the freedom to get rid of all the summer clothes that don't spark joy. I've been reading Marie Kondo's 'The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up' and really want to start cleaning out my closet. However, I don't own a lot of clothes, really, and I'm afraid that if I throw out the ones that don't spark joy, I'll be forced to go to work naked! So really I need to acquire sufficient fun and easy to combine clothes before I can get rid of the not-so-fun-but-better-than-nothing stuff. If I repeat the wardrobe architect exercise for my winter wardrobe, and buy some more lovely undergarments and socks, I can start to create the wardrobe I wish I had. Not having any more babies should help, as my weight is more stable. I hope to lose a few more pounds, but very slowly, and I don't have a lot of very fitted clothes so going another size down won't mean half my clothes will be too big. I wonder if I'll really do all that I just rambled on about here... we'll see!