11.09.2017

Change of Seasons: Change of Wardrobe

Our closet is an anomaly in New York apartment living. (At least, *our* brand of New York apartment living, I'm sure GOOP has it different.) Defying reconfigured brownstone blueprints, it runs the length of one full wall, with double hanging rods, his & hers shelving, and an extra little walk-in area to boot! For real, I keep expecting to unearth some portal to another dimension every time I open the curtained doors. When we first found our Hell's Kitchen home, I was thrilled with the space, but did not know just how essential it would become, having only RTW threads to fill it with at the time.


Enter sewing, and each new addition of a handmade garment felt like the spoils of some fantastic, happy war! However, at present, the rate at which I fill our rods with handmade technicolor is beginning to push this magical wardrobe to its limits. Rob would go so far as to say WE ARE WELL PAST PUSHING. So lately, I've been manhandling my older, unworn items. If I'm not wearing it, it has got to go. Obviously, RTW was the first to walk the plank. I'm pretty much judge & jury on my own garments at this point. I can get super sentimental about a hand-me-down, a piece of vintage jewelry, a ticket stub, but apparently, if the tag says "oonaballoona" it's fair game for my seam ripper. And the change of seasons is when I really get serious...


Hey guess what. I do not wear this cape!! Have you met me? I mean, in person? Have you experienced the flailing of appendages that can occur at any moment, without warning? I might as well be Kermit the Frog when I see a bolt of fabric. I need my arms, man. So this cape is getting a few new holes here and there. That sounds saucy. It kind of is. I believe this sauciness will be ready before Old Man Winter really rolls in...


This maxi length floral rayon dress had an accident involving an encounter with the dryer, poor thing. That hot piece of machinery took a whopping 2 feet of length from her lower half, so she needs some reconstructive surgery. Maybe some prosthetics, in the form of fluttery sleeves. And a full lining, to make her ready for colder weather. Listen man, she's high maintenance, I don't know about her odds.


Oooooooh I bet you didn't see this one coming, but after wearing this uber comfortable faux wrap dress for New Year's Eve 2016, she languished in my closet untouched, diva that she is. She is currently sliced up the front, refashioned into a floor length duster--the only problem is, the reverse side of this ponte is not so attractive (I mean, it's plain white, but it's obviously the reverse side), so I have to do some thinking on how to solve that complication...hacking her off at the knees would give me enough fabric for a short self-lined jacket, but I love the drama of the length as-is. The patient is convalescing. Maybe she'll remain in convalescence, and make a wonderful lounging robe. Like I said, she's a diva.


Speaking of divas, get me, Miss Haughty, putting lots of words out there into the world, and getting lots of words back, and then not replying...I put a little thank you note in a certain post that garnered the thoughtfulness of 103 beautiful people, but I'll put it here as well: Thank you all so very much. I'm at a loss at how to respond to everyone, but if we run into each other in a bar, drinks are on me. (And apparently, we'll need them, especially if those of you in the Bar Fight Brigade are around. It will certainly be the most fashionable fisticuffs ever.)

13 comments:

  1. I admire your re-make-it-ness! When I haven't worn something, it typically just gets donated. But I do want to challenge myself a little more here - sometimes the fabric is so awesome that it's a crime not to rework it. You've inspired me. ��

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    1. oh, I like that-- criminal negligence in sewing!

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    2. You are a riot; entertaining, sassy, fun, and super talented. Enjoyed my visit. Thanks!

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  2. So the re-making is making room in the closet? Hmmm...more magic!

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  3. I've had this dream of a lounging coat .... its like a blanket but not as warm.... every time I go into a fabric store determined to buy fabric for it ,reasonable me kicks in - who are you? You don't lounge around in a fancy specially made with purpose garment! You wear flannel PJs, remember?
    Bc flannel PJs go with grumpy me, the person I don't recognise in the mornings. (Is it from the old age bc I used to be a morning person!!!)

    I totes admire you for remaking things. I am lazy, I never do it.

    Maimu

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    1. Isn't that a dressing gown/housecoat? Wonderful things, especially with big pockets to carry your biccies around with you... [English biccies, not US scones of course]

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    2. Yes! I have one, vintage, from the 70' at my parents home; that I wear while visiting.

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    3. well obviously you need a lounging coat, if you don't recognize the grumpy morning gal!

      and I quite like the idea of stashing cookies in pockets.

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  4. What a luxury- lots of hanging space. But I guess you've given up some other things to have it. Needs must! our wardrobe is a mere feet wide if that - I have about 3 feet of full length hanging and he has three feet of split hanging. Which means rotating clothes at change of season to containers under the bed, and I am enjoying hauling out summer clothes as needed (we being the other side of the world etc) Having said that, I have two clothing racks upstairs in my sewing studio for costumes. Sequins, feathers, chiffon, lurex, rhinestones, the works. Hats and hair pieces everywhere. Organza boas stuffed into corners. It's an Aladdin's cave up there these days. My alter ego gets a much better deal than I do in terms of new things to wear!

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    1. Yeah, it really is a perk. But, to have a personal washer & dryer...I might give up the space for that!

      I love the vision of your racks (HAHA). I've wanted a separate clothing rack for in-progress stuff, but really, how much more space can I claim in the name of sewing 😂

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  5. I have to say I love the cape, but I also totally get clearing out closets..

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  6. refashioning is a great idea! at least you can hold on to your makes instead of having to get rid of them completely. and that floral dress would look amazing with flutter sleeves!!

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i thankya truly for taking the time to comment, i love a good conversation-- and hope you know my thanks are always implied, if not always written!