I love the lead up to going back to the consignment shop with your daughter to look for the sweater! You got a lovely piece of clothing and a fun experience out of it - just sounds like a joyful purchase overall. 😄 The dress you made is beautiful! Makes me want to jump right into spring. I was gifted a sewing machine for Christmas (don’t know how to sew a darn thing), but I’m excited to learn! I’d be thrilled just to be able to hem a pair of pants.
I'm so happy your enjoyed it, Reiko! I also got my first sewing machine for Christmas without ever having sewn anything and the only person who ever used it was my mom when she would come and visit 😆 After about 10 years, I finally learned how to sew on it and started by shortening a dress and hemming a pair of pants - it's a great way to get comfortable. If you ever want any recommendations of a few patterns that are beginner friendly, let me know!
Thanks, Gillian! Hopefully I’ll get to it before a decade comes around! 🤣 I’ll definitely take you up on those pattern recommendations when the time comes.
That wool coat sits so beautifully on you! It looks like something to be treasured and passed on to someone who will love it...and that's often what i think about these days when I'm considering whether something is worth buying, especially if it's something I know I won't wear much or don't need. And I am in awe of your ability to make a dress! I took sewing lessons a few years ago and made a skirt that I love wearing, but I've not sewn anything since, and I have yet to take the plunge and buy a sewing machine. Maybe some day...
I didn't think about shopping much in Feb but I found myself always running out of basic tees, which makes me think I might want to buy one or two more later this year. I've also been thinking about buying a laptop backpack (secondhand) and have shortlisted a whole bunch on Depop so might get on that this month. It's all very boring!
Thank you, Lin! I feel very lucky to have found it. And I really love the thought process you describe of thinking about something in terms of being able to treasure it and pass it on - I have a 13yo who is becoming more and more interested in clothing and style and I have a few items that I've saved back for her that she is now wearing. You have inspired me to consider that more with future purchases- thank you!
And it's the boring, everyday items that are the cornerstone of our wardrobes! It sounds like you are being very intentional and considered with your purchases - have you always been this way?
I definitely don't mean to alarm you!! If a preloved piece of wool clothing comes from a home that has clothing moths, there's a possibility that they can lay eggs in the fibers. These eggs hatch and the larvae then feed on the wool fibers (any natural fiber is fair game), leaving holes or pock marks in the wool. They can then develop into moths and eat other clothing made from natural fibers. Based on my research, the heat used in dry cleaning kills any eggs/larvae that might be present but I believe that you could also put preloved clothing in a bag and put them in the freezer for a while (not sure how long). I once read a blog post of someone who had a lot of cashmere and wool and ended up with a clothing moth infestation that destroyed her clothes and I've been scared ever since 😬 It gives me peace of mind to do this before I bring a used piece of wool clothing into my wardrobe.
What a great post! I love being taken along on your journey and the insights that you give. Your purchases are so considered and I am sure will be worn and kept for a long time. I can't help much with your potential jeans purchase but I will say that I like the look of the agolde jeans the best from your selection. I love the inky dark denim and I think that would look beautiful with your grey clothing. The Ayr ones look 'of the moment' but I can't give you any insight into the brand. If you can't try on in store, you really need good return policies with jeans as you often need to try a couple of sizes to get the right fit. I am jealous of your sewing ability, the dress looks great and I look forward to your future sewing projects. I took up knitting last year. I learnt from my grandmother as a child but have only taken it up 45 years later! I have a red cardigan ready to start. I really should get onto it as the weather will turn cooler soon enough and I will be able to wear it. I will have to pull that one out of my low buy toolbox!
Thanks Rach! That's a great point about the return policy - I rarely order jeans online but I'm having a hard time locating ones that are ethically made locally that I like. And thanks for your feedback on the Agolde jeans - I do love that wash.
And I'm jealous of your knitting! I really want to learn but it seems so difficult. A red cardigan sounds so perfect!
I do find it jarring to see old pictures, honestly, like it doesn't even seem like me!
Yes, the quality of this coat (and the previous one that I had) is amazing! I'll have to look at their dresses.
I'm glad that you're enjoying it, Sheila! I love looking back over the month and these posts feel like I'm wrapping a neat little bow around the experience ☺️
That dress is going to be so versatile in your wardrobe! You can layer over or under. Sewing is such a test in patience for me! I want to be done before I’ve even cut my first piece. Puzzles are the same way for my brain, but painting isn’t. I think it likely means I need to slowwww down to appreciate the process. Excited to see what more you create this year with vintage fabric!
I agree! I'm so excited about it! I know what you mean by wanting to be done before even starting - I was like that too and would have to complete a project in one sitting, even if it was 8 hours! Breaking it up over multiple days has been helping me to enjoy the process more. I'd love to learn to paint with watercolors this year - what kind of painting do you do?
Generally I stick to large-scale abstract pieces, but I do love watercolour! I took a great class online during the at-home COVID times and highly recommend
Four years of art school with a BFA to prove it. But I only paint for fun these days. Have you tried large scale painting before? It’s quite therapeutic
I love the lead up to going back to the consignment shop with your daughter to look for the sweater! You got a lovely piece of clothing and a fun experience out of it - just sounds like a joyful purchase overall. 😄 The dress you made is beautiful! Makes me want to jump right into spring. I was gifted a sewing machine for Christmas (don’t know how to sew a darn thing), but I’m excited to learn! I’d be thrilled just to be able to hem a pair of pants.
I'm so happy your enjoyed it, Reiko! I also got my first sewing machine for Christmas without ever having sewn anything and the only person who ever used it was my mom when she would come and visit 😆 After about 10 years, I finally learned how to sew on it and started by shortening a dress and hemming a pair of pants - it's a great way to get comfortable. If you ever want any recommendations of a few patterns that are beginner friendly, let me know!
Thanks, Gillian! Hopefully I’ll get to it before a decade comes around! 🤣 I’ll definitely take you up on those pattern recommendations when the time comes.
That wool coat sits so beautifully on you! It looks like something to be treasured and passed on to someone who will love it...and that's often what i think about these days when I'm considering whether something is worth buying, especially if it's something I know I won't wear much or don't need. And I am in awe of your ability to make a dress! I took sewing lessons a few years ago and made a skirt that I love wearing, but I've not sewn anything since, and I have yet to take the plunge and buy a sewing machine. Maybe some day...
I didn't think about shopping much in Feb but I found myself always running out of basic tees, which makes me think I might want to buy one or two more later this year. I've also been thinking about buying a laptop backpack (secondhand) and have shortlisted a whole bunch on Depop so might get on that this month. It's all very boring!
Thank you, Lin! I feel very lucky to have found it. And I really love the thought process you describe of thinking about something in terms of being able to treasure it and pass it on - I have a 13yo who is becoming more and more interested in clothing and style and I have a few items that I've saved back for her that she is now wearing. You have inspired me to consider that more with future purchases- thank you!
And it's the boring, everyday items that are the cornerstone of our wardrobes! It sounds like you are being very intentional and considered with your purchases - have you always been this way?
Loved this! Can I ask what you mean about cleaning the jacket before you took it into the house, due to “critters”? Should I be doing this, too?! 😱
I definitely don't mean to alarm you!! If a preloved piece of wool clothing comes from a home that has clothing moths, there's a possibility that they can lay eggs in the fibers. These eggs hatch and the larvae then feed on the wool fibers (any natural fiber is fair game), leaving holes or pock marks in the wool. They can then develop into moths and eat other clothing made from natural fibers. Based on my research, the heat used in dry cleaning kills any eggs/larvae that might be present but I believe that you could also put preloved clothing in a bag and put them in the freezer for a while (not sure how long). I once read a blog post of someone who had a lot of cashmere and wool and ended up with a clothing moth infestation that destroyed her clothes and I've been scared ever since 😬 It gives me peace of mind to do this before I bring a used piece of wool clothing into my wardrobe.
Oh my god - terrifying! I’d be devastated! Noted, thank you!
What a great post! I love being taken along on your journey and the insights that you give. Your purchases are so considered and I am sure will be worn and kept for a long time. I can't help much with your potential jeans purchase but I will say that I like the look of the agolde jeans the best from your selection. I love the inky dark denim and I think that would look beautiful with your grey clothing. The Ayr ones look 'of the moment' but I can't give you any insight into the brand. If you can't try on in store, you really need good return policies with jeans as you often need to try a couple of sizes to get the right fit. I am jealous of your sewing ability, the dress looks great and I look forward to your future sewing projects. I took up knitting last year. I learnt from my grandmother as a child but have only taken it up 45 years later! I have a red cardigan ready to start. I really should get onto it as the weather will turn cooler soon enough and I will be able to wear it. I will have to pull that one out of my low buy toolbox!
Thanks Rach! That's a great point about the return policy - I rarely order jeans online but I'm having a hard time locating ones that are ethically made locally that I like. And thanks for your feedback on the Agolde jeans - I do love that wash.
And I'm jealous of your knitting! I really want to learn but it seems so difficult. A red cardigan sounds so perfect!
Your hair is so different! I love the grey.💕
I have a dress by JG Hook! It’s great quality, and your coat is amazing too!
I’m enjoying your experience with the low-buy.
I do find it jarring to see old pictures, honestly, like it doesn't even seem like me!
Yes, the quality of this coat (and the previous one that I had) is amazing! I'll have to look at their dresses.
I'm glad that you're enjoying it, Sheila! I love looking back over the month and these posts feel like I'm wrapping a neat little bow around the experience ☺️
I feel like that when I look backs at my old posts too. “Who is that?”
I agree- it’s important to review and extract lessons from these challenges!💕
What a stunning dress!!!
Thank you! I'm really excited about it.
That dress is going to be so versatile in your wardrobe! You can layer over or under. Sewing is such a test in patience for me! I want to be done before I’ve even cut my first piece. Puzzles are the same way for my brain, but painting isn’t. I think it likely means I need to slowwww down to appreciate the process. Excited to see what more you create this year with vintage fabric!
I agree! I'm so excited about it! I know what you mean by wanting to be done before even starting - I was like that too and would have to complete a project in one sitting, even if it was 8 hours! Breaking it up over multiple days has been helping me to enjoy the process more. I'd love to learn to paint with watercolors this year - what kind of painting do you do?
Generally I stick to large-scale abstract pieces, but I do love watercolour! I took a great class online during the at-home COVID times and highly recommend
The talent to create large scale abstract pieces is so impressive!! Are you self-taught or did you go to art school?
Four years of art school with a BFA to prove it. But I only paint for fun these days. Have you tried large scale painting before? It’s quite therapeutic
I haven’t really done any painting before - I lack confidence in my ability 😂
I have faith! The weirder and more abstract the better ;)