Last post has turned out a bit, hmm, bitter, maybe more than I intended. Being Spanish, I like to exaggerate
a lot a bit, it’s just in my blood. So it’s been a sh*t year, who hasn’t had one of those? Next!
Moving on to happier subjects, let’s talk about one of my recent acquisitions, the Colette Sewing Handbook ! Are you ready for yet another gloating post? Are you sick of reading about it? Yeah, I was too, until I got it in my hands (my preeecious, my preeecious!)
Isn’t it pretty? What a design, and those candy colours – And since I bought it directly from them, at the Thanksgiving sale, I got it signed from Mrs. Mitnick herself! Well, yes, I'll make something lovely, that's a promise.
I adore the look of it all, but even better, the content matches the prettiness. No, it’s not ground breaking nor does it reveals big sewing secrets, but it’s nicely written and with lots of common sense (the less common of senses, you know). I often find myself nodding and silently saying
word!
I’m reading it from the beginning, like a novel, a first with a sewing book. I’m not far yet, but I’ve reached the famous 5 items theory, see the excerpt
here. The idea is simple, choose 5 items of your closet, your favorites, the ones that gets the most use, the ones that makes you happy wearing them. If you can find the reasons why you feel good in them, then you’ll be able to apply that criteria when choosing a new project, therefore sewing garments that you’ll love to wear.
So here are mine, it wasn't easy to single them out in a closet (or 2) full of clothes:
Black Karen Millen skinny jeans - live in this jeans, I wear them 2 x week, minimum. Why do I like them? For once, my butt looks good in it, it's that simple. Also, they don't loose shape after repeated wears.
Black Benetton dress - this is "I need to look good today" dress. For when going to the theatre or to a restaurant. Short and fitted, but not slutty. Perfect.
Black Vanilia cropped blazer - I've worn this one so often it's not funny anymore. Black blazers in different lengths and fabrics, my closet is full of them.
Self made purple dress Burda 01-2011-128 - This is the “I put it on in the morning and I’m done”. The
most unlikely to be used pattern ever, in a cheap fabric, an experiment that turned out right. I love it, it’s the right color, it’s the right shape, it’s simple and it’s comfy. It’s also a proper man repeller* and that’s okay, too.
Print Mango dress - On the opposite side, this dress is short and fun, and definitively flirty. If I’m wearing it, anything can and will happen. My inner hipster comes out to play. Also it’s the most contemporary dress I have. By that I mean the look is “right now”, modern, not from 3 seasons ago like the rest of the closet. And right now, I love it.
Do I see a color trend here? Black, black, black. Like my humor and my mood! Have I sewn anything black? Hmm, no I don’t think so (there’s 2 UFOs somewhere, though). Do I have enough black fabric to fill 3 suitcases? Hell, yes! It’s easy in the morning, goes with anything, safe, instantly put together, no-fuss black. From the sewing perspective, It’s like a blank canvas that lets you experiment with shapes and fit, and it’s mistake-forgiving. Oh sure, you need natural light to sew, or a very potent lamp, but hey. Ok, so my basic color was easy to identify. Grey or dark blue are good substitutes, often used too, but my favorite remains black. I also love simple and minimalistic shapes (obvs my style was shaped back in the 90's when Calvin Klein and DK were my favourite designers).
Now, based on the above, why is my stash full of pinks, turquoise and loud floral prints? I'll leave that mystery for another time.
If you don’t know the blog
Man Repeller please check it out. I mean, brilliant.
