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There have been a few news articles in the past week that tie in to the reasons I’m keeping this blog. First, is the article on thrift shops and how they’re essential shopping for some – the writer tries to bridge the gap between fashion shoppers and the stereotype of thrift shops as selling unfashionable, worn out junk. If it doesn’t prompt more people to shop in thrift stores perhaps it will at least increase donations, based on the article’s mention of tax deductions. “For Many, Thrift Shops Are a Wardrobe Essential”
The second article talks about changing consumer habits (“Recession Diet Just One Way to Tighten Belt”), which hopefully in light of the third article (“Environmental Cost of Shipping Groceries Around the World”), will influence companies to listen. Still, I think more emphasis should also be placed on the packaging of foods. Tesco is touted as trying to switch to greener options, yet I cannot buy a simple cucumber in any British supermarket. I can receive real cucumbers from friends with allotments and gardens, but cannot purchase a cucumber in its Natural wrapping anywhere. On Friday, this fact came back to me when I examined half a British cucumber in a sealed plastic bag, or a whole Spanish cucumber shrink wrapped in plastic. Why can they not just trust us to wash the skin?…
…is the name of a BBC mini-programme which takes 6 young fashion conscious (obsessed) Brits to India to experience life in the garment industry. While it is half reality tv and half documentary, the programme explores the questions of working conditions, wages, and the lack of other options for some skilled workers trying to support their families. If you’re in the UK, give it a try on the BBC iplayer or on BBC3. It may not do much to change the majority of viewers, but a national corporation bringing these issues into general discussion is always a positive step. Here are some video clips from the website.
I’ve finally completed the eva’s shawl! I put it down a few times when I had to buy more yarn (two extra balls) since I had started it with the intention of using up some stash. Then, when I came back from two weeks away, I wove in the ends and wore it to a birthday ceilidh! The drape was perfect, it felt comfortable (and didn’t fall off) and yet looked dressy enough with a nice top. I love this shawl now, plan on wearing it as often as possible throughout the Spring, and will make a few more
In Lochcarron, where we stayed for a week, I picked up an oddly sized pair of wooden needles at a charity shop. They’re measuring just under 9mm, which is fine because I paid the 50p hoping they were something larger than an 8mm. I forgot to add them to the scene before photographing. The pillowcases and interfacing are my souvenirs from the Isle of Skye. I’m not quite sure what I’ll be doing with the pillowcases yet – if I wore more skirts, they’d probably become one. I am thinking of using the snippets of patterns for a variety of fill-ins, like pocket flaps or sleeve caps. Until then, I’m enjoying looking at it and dreaming of the possibilities.
Speaking of possibilities, I finally bought a copy of Sew U. My colleagues from the place I had done research gave me book gift certificates and this was at the top of my Must Buy list! I also ordered the Complete Tightwad Gazette, but the bookstore couldn’t get it from the American suppliers. Boohoo. Still, I very happy with Sew U so far and have started the shirt project. Since I don’t have any random sheets, I am using the often-advised muslin for my first mock-up. Hopefully, this will help me really see where to tweak the pattern to get the best fit, because I would love to become proficient and make a ton of button shirts of varying styles. I think it would be great to get so comfortable with a pattern that I could just go beyond making from it, to creating from it. Ultimately, my goals is to get the hang of shirt making and make everything I’d want for my Spring and Fall wardrobe and then venture into pants/trousers. I haven’t quite recovered from the disaster that ensued when I tried to make the floral sheet trousers, so hopefully this will give me the confidence. I want to get comfortable with making both shirts and pants before I head to the US this July, in order to pick up some delicious fabrics like cordouroy and brushed flannels (I know, can you tell I enjoyed the clothes from the early 80s?) for trousers and tops.
While I spent most of March writing a thesis chapter, I have been working on a few projects and refashions. I’m almost finished eva’s shawl, just in time for some actual spring sunshine (now, spring warmth is another issue) and may wear it to an upcoming birthday party.
I’ve discovered that knitting on bamboo needles doesn’t irritate me as much as knitting on metals tends to do after a few rows. The project also slips off the needles less frequently, so I am not embarrassed to say that I’ve started another knitting project even though a similar one is a current disaster sitting in the naughty-chair. The orange sweater-vest I’ve been making threw me another mistake (This time I’m blaming the knitting, not myself!) and I’m deciding whether I should try and get it back on track, or just rip back and start over. As for the new knitting, I’ve started the “Merino Stripes Mitered Vest” and hope it turns out well. So far, its actually enjoyable to work on. I attribute this not only to the bamboo needles, but to the fact that its all garter stitch! I’m using Wendy Orinoco, which was scored for me at a coffee morning (if you’re not from the UK, think church/synagogue spaghetti dinner crossed with a garage sale). Worked up, it is reminding me a lot of a faded pair of jeans, so I might look for some jean-y type metallic buttons to finish it off…If I succeed at this one! I’m also – gasp- knitting a spring scarf, since I don’t have enough to crochet one, but I’ll add photos if I end up getting anywhere with it.
I’ve refashioned a pair of jeans that I had been wearing cuffed. They were beginning to feel saggy, daggy and only for ‘at home’ wear. I guess I just got tired of the cuff. Since the cuff was so worn in, I used that as a fold and cutting line for alterations. I then trimmed off the un-necessary bit, pinned it into place and sewed a new bottom hem. Since I didn’t want to risk breaking my non-denim needle, I didn’t tuck the raw ends in, but used iron on fabric fuse to stop fraying inside. It took about 10 minutes total, not counting the iron heating up, and I’m very happy with the result. They feel much lighter, cleaner and like I can feel good wearing them in public once more.
At the charity shops, I picked up a few exciting items recently. Standing in line for the changing room, I peered into the back processing room as something beautiful and green caught my eye. I asked one of the staff if it was a jacket or skirt, and if I could see it. It was indeed a jacket and exactly my size! I snatched it up and felt very spring-like on Easter morning as we rolled eggs amidst the hailstones!
I also came across a much needed long sleeve shirt that still had all its supple stretch – something that is hard to find in charity shops, and the one thing my wardrobe is low on since my wardrobe refashion pledge. I’m trying to transition my wardrobe into long sleeve blouses or cardigans for layers, but it is a comfort item. For 99 pence, I allowed myself to purchase this way-too-large teal blouse (a colour I adore) in hopes of re-sizing it.
A corduroy jacket waved its sleeve at me today and I obligingly took it home. While I wasn’t sure at first about the buttons, I think I’ll still be able to pull off, variably, the nerdy tweed-academic, autumnal romp/farmer, understated casual, and movie star out for a latte aesthetics.
