Kicking Off Wardrobe Architect Wednesdays

- Caitlyn

Do you consider your collection of clothes, shoes, and accessories a wardrobe? Do you have a personal style when it comes to these items? If you answered “yes” to either of these questions, I envy you. Even though I have plenty of clothing to see me through each season without having to do laundry every third day, and even though I have many items that I like or even love, I still find myself standing in front of my closet from time to time complaining of nothing to wear.

Of course the problem isn’t really that I have nothing to wear, but that I have nothing I want to wear. This is compounded by a nagging sense that, even on my best days, I never feel completely “put together.” My favorite outfits often still feel flat, and many days I cling to the idea that at least my clothes are clean and reasonably well-fitting if not especially stylish. On those days I’m all too happy to come home and immediately change into lounge wear or pajamas and forget about what I wore to work.

Truth is, I often don’t feel like I’m very good at “being a girl.” I don’t have a knack for putting together a cute or polished ensemble. I’ve never had a signature look, and I often find myself torn between wanting to look like an adult so that I’ll be treated like one (I was mistaken for a high school student twice on my 27th birthday) and wanting to have fun with my clothes even if my choices aren’t entirely mature. I had little interest in makeup as a teen, so I never really learned how to do it well or fast. I like wearing my hair long, but often find myself resorting to a ponytail because I’m bad at getting ready efficiently in the morning, then regretting that I didn’t take more time to take care with my appearance.

I’d like to change all of that.

When the Coletterie launched the Wardrobe Architect series last year, I followed along with a great deal of interest but didn’t engage with it in a practical way. I was afraid that the focus would be on removing undesirable items from one’s wardrobe, and that I wouldn’t have the skills or means to replace the things I would inevitably need to part with. Luckily, it reverses the order of most wardrobe-building exercises, focusing on what you like, need, and want and giving you the tools to make or purchase those things with confidence; editing is saved for last. And, since there’s been a deluge of indie sewing patterns released, a host of informative books published, and one amazing piece of knitting software programmed in the last year—plus I’ve gotten an absolutely fantastic serger to call my own—I think I’ve got everything I need to dig into the process of thoughtfully building a wardrobe.

For the next 14 weeks or so, I’ll be dedicating Wednesdays to going through the steps of the Wardrobe Architect series so that I can try to work out what, exactly, my style is and make plans to start shaping my closet to reflect that vision. (There is an expanded, year-long project going on now following up on the original Wardrobe Architect series, but for now I’m going to watch that without participating.) Along the way I’ll be supplementing that series with wisdom from Amy Herzog’s Knit to Flatter book and any other resources that seem helpful.

Unfortunately, this means I’ll be in the thick of things during Me-Made-May 2015, which I had hoped to participate in, but I’ll either make a small, manageable commitment based on what I already have (since panic-sewing is a no-no) or plan to skip this year and commit to participating the next time a challenge arises.

Tell me: if you’ve gone through the Wardrobe Architect series or another wardrobe planning exercise, how did it go? If you haven’t, would you consider it?

FO: Black Cherry Tart

- Caitlyn

When I bound off this cowl, I was certain that there was enough cold weather still ahead to ensure that it would be worn a few times before being retired for the season. But then it took a few days for me to block it, weave in the ends, photograph it, box it up with a few other goodies, and get it in the mail, and by the time it landed in my sister’s hands I’m afraid the weather had already taken a decidedly spring-like turn. Luckily for me, this is one of those very rare occasions when it really was the thought that counted more than the gift itself: my sister was having a miserable week at work, and an unexpected package on her doorstep was just the pick-me-up she needed.

2015-03-07_1_Black-Cherry-Tart

Pattern: Improvised
Yarn: Berroco® Vintage® Chunky, 6181 Black Cherry

It probably won’t surprise you that there is no pattern for this cowl, since it’s just 1×1 ribbing and seed stitch. I didn’t even note how many stitches I cast on. I know that it was more than the Bandanna Cowl, because I felt that design was a little snug and the women in my family don’t like things too close around their necks.

From there, I knit a sufficiently deep ribbing (sufficiency being purely subjective in this instance), weighed it, then knit merrily around until I had about that weight of yarn remaining, knit another band of ribbing, and bound off. Completed, it’s tall enough to pull up over the nose but short enough scrunch down under the chin.

I was concerned that the bind off would be inflexible, but after trying several I discovered that it was possible for even a tight knitter like me to bind off too loosely. Even after settling on a slightly firmer bind off method—the Lace Bind Off from Leslie Ann Bestor’s Cast On, Bind Off—you can tell that that edge is stretchier than the cast on, which is at the top of the piece in the photos.

Although the photo above shows the stitches much more clearly, the photo below is a more accurate representation of the color. At least, the bottom center is. I’ve heard reds are devilishly tricky to photograph, but I feel like the sunlight and my camera were being especially uncooperative. (I’d like to think my camera’s days are numbered, but that might be overly optimistic right now. I’ll just be glad when I can start taking all of my photos outside again.)

2015-03-07_2_Black-Cherry-TartYou may recall that my goal with this knit was to use up the last of this yarn, and I’m happy to report that I succeeded on that front, with a scant 5 ounces remaining:

2015-03-07_3_Black-Cherry-TartI’m saving this little ball in case either the cowl or the hat needs mending down the road.

With those two projects out of the way, I’m now free to focus on my favorite knitting recipient: ME. I very much need to finish my Courant sweater before I have no hope at all of wearing it this season. (Surely everyone has one such project, be it knitting or sewing). Of course, now that I can dedicate myself to it I’ve realized that what I really need are a few cardigans or other layering items to manage the wild 30° temperature swings that are coyly referred to as transitional weather. I continue to remind myself that I work best when I work on one thing at a time, and Courant won’t get knitted if I’m not knitting it. We’ll how long it takes before I cave and cast on for some other kind of accessory.

Maker Moment: Spread the Love

- Caitlyn

Last night, Justin and I decided to check out a new-to-use deli for dinner. The shopping center where it’s located, which is a mere five minutes from our neighborhood and full of local shops, is more of a warren than a plaza, with many narrow streets and alleys between clusters of buildings. Since it was nearly 8 PM when we finally settled on where we wanted to eat, it was already dark and difficult to figure out where the deli was amidst all the other cafés and boutiques.

While driving down one of the many one-way streets and peering up at the neon signs, Justin said something fantastical that was completely at odds with his level tone: “That’s a Disney princess.”

“Come again?”

“There’s a Disney princess on the sidewalk between those two buildings.”

Intrigued, we decided to park the car and investigate. (Rather serendipitously, we ended up walking by the deli, which we’d driven past.) Sure enough, there were three young women in full princess regalia being photographed under the streetlights in the covered walkway between two shops. They were perfect replicas Cinderella, Elsa, and Anna, from their hair and makeup down to their gloves and shoes.

I’m a huge enthusiast when it comes to costuming/cosplay, and I’ve been to a fair few Renaissance festivals, Halloween costume contests, and fancy dress parties (as I found out they’re called in England). I have no problems going out in public in garb, whether or not there’s an event, and I don’t mind when people ask questions—far from it!

But I can’t think of time when I’ve seen others in costume outside of event, and I don’t chat up random strangers about their clothes on a normal day. Actually, I don’t chat up random strangers at all, if I can help it. I avoid small talk more diligently people with sniffles and those salespeople at mall kiosks selling lotion. I will absolutely dodge down another aisle if I think someone in the grocery store might try to strike up a conversation.

As someone who loves costumes and likes to make things, though, I had to know: did they make their dresses?

So, bolstered by my curiosity, I walked up and said hello. We admitted to stopping because we caught sight of their photo session; were they dressed up for something in particular? The Cinderella premier at a nearby theater, it turns out. Cinderella herself said they were a huge hit with the kids going to see the movie.

“Did you make your own outfits?” I asked, all nervous anticipation.

Anna pointed to Elsa and said matter-of-factly, “She made everything herself.” Anna’s was a group effort; Cinderella’s was purchased.

While I would have loved to stay and get more details, it was clear that they’d planned the photography, and I didn’t want to interrupt them any further. I let them know that they all looked amazing and wished them a good time. I left feeling heartened that there are other sewists here, and that they’re some super-talented and warm ladies to boot. Even if we never run into each other again, I’m glad I stepped out of my comfort zone and shared my admiration for their work. I know if I were in their glass slippers, I would have been immensely flattered. I’m glad I could spread the love.

Housekeeping

- Caitlyn

While I spent most of the weekend valiantly fending off the cold that had Justin laid low for a week, I did take time out to enjoy the spring weather teaser and visually document a couple of projects that I completed last year but never photographed. Since those projects are 6+ months behind me and aren’t particularly noteworthy, I don’t see a reason to rehash them here, but if you’re interested in taking a look just follow the Ravelry link (the lowercase “r”) in the sidebar.

It’s surprisingly fulfilling to have them done. Every time I opened my projects page I thought about how I ought to just snap a few pictures, but I’m not satisfied with grainy phone photos (I prefer grainy point-and-shoot photos, ha!) and I like to use knitwear photography as an excuse to get out and see new places around town. Even though these photos were taken just a quarter mile or so from our apartment along the Greenway Trail, we went in a different direction than we usually do and got a chance to take in some new scenery. Now that they organized and uploaded, I feel like a lingering to-do has finally been crossed off my list. And there are few things I enjoy more than crossing things off lists.

What about you? Do you feel like a project isn’t really finished until it’s documented—whether that’s through photos, a blog post/status update/tweet, or a triumphant text message to your best friend—or are you happy to just enjoy the finished project and roll right into the next one?

Surfacing

- Caitlyn

The last ten days have been such a rush of events that I actually had to look at the calender and count back to be sure that it hadn’t been longer. In that span, we bought a car; we tried and failed to figure out why our washer has started to sometimes overflow during a cycle; Justin started a new job; we both stayed home from work due to weather; we entertained a house guest for two days; and Justin came down with a nasty cold that he’s still in the thick of.

All of this is to say that very little in the way of creative endeavors has been happening around here lately. Quite frankly, it makes me itch—I’m much more even-keeled when I’m making steady progress on something. That’s why I had to blog, even though I don’t have anything to share today: this is a thing I enjoy and not doing it, even when there are no deadlines and I know everyone would understand, makes me feel antsy and disconnected.

I expect everything to normalize by the end of the week, and I hope to have at least one new project to share. In the meantime, might I direct you to a favorite blog of mine, Things I Make. Plus Rocks., which today is showcasing adorable pictures of furry woodland creatures from the Yukon? The mountain goats are my favorite—what’s yours?