My Evolving Signature Style

Project Sewn has once again forced me ask myself some tough questions. I wonder if they knew from the start that they were leading their followers on a journey of self discovery. This week I had to ask myself what my signature style was.

How do the clothes I choose to wear define who I am? What message do I tell the people around me without ever saying a word?

A signature style is what you are known for. It says something about you. Classic, sporty, earthy… It could be anything.

Most days I just throw on one of my six pairs of black yoga pants and whatever stretched out t-shirt happens to be at the top of the drawer. So what does my style say about me? The only word that comes to mind is "indifferent". Not exactly the message I want to portray, and it doesn't reflect who I feel I am either.

This article is getting some attention from the sewing and fashion communities. It is about how people dress now compared to the past, and what it says about them.

Personally, I won’t be wearing gloves and a hat on my next trip to the grocery store, but I will think twice before wearing something that could pass for pajamas.

Despite all of the thinking and reading I've done, I still have no clue what my signature style is.

Because this is a sewing completion, I am bound mostly by my sewing ability.

I started with a simple refashion for the pants. They're a mix of the skinny jeans that are popular now and a retro high-water style pant. I think I  hit the mark with them. I love the style and the fit, and they work great with my lifestyle.

Coming up with a top was much more frustrating. It took three attempts to find a pattern that I could actually sew and that fit me well with the few adjustment I know how to make.

I ended up using a free Colette pattern, which was amazing. It was more professional than most of the paid patterns I have used, and reading it felt like being taught how to sew by a friend. Since I also own her  book, I used that as a reference for adjustments.

Despite loving the pattern, I don’t think I would call this shirt my signature.  I’m sure that my style will evolve as my sewing skills improve. But for now I will call this look my signature style in progress.

Joining In June

June Sewing Events

So if you've read my blog at all, you may have noticed that I have a slight obsession with sew-alongs. I just can't seem to help myself.

Here's a look at the upcoming events in the sewing blog world.

 

Flip This Pattern - This is a year long event featuring a different pattern each month starting in June, with the  Bubble Pocket Shorts. Giveaways, Voting, Sew Along linkies; just about everything you could wish for in a sewing event.

Skirt Week - This is the second event I am participating in June. I've already entered one skirt into the competition, and I'm thinking about doing a second (You can enter up to three skirts per category).

Update - I will also be sewing up a pencil skirt for the Stitch Once, Rip Twice challenge. Thanks for the tip Amy.

What June events are you excited about. Did I miss anything?

Quick Summer Tops

I am really good at making plans. Not so great at following through. I made a lot of plans for this month.

In the month of May I wanted to:

• Sew along with all four weeks of Project Sewn
• Make two outfits for the Knock It Off Sew Along
• Finish a complete summer outfit for every member of the family
• Sew three baby blankets for the triplets.
• Finish two doll skirts and possibly matching shirts

Simple, right? I should be able to get them done with plenty of time to spare.

Oh crap, I just remembered. I don’t have super powers.

What’s a mere mortal supposed to do when they realize the month is 2/3 of the way over and she’s not even half way done with her list? Oh yea, cheat.

Ashley pinned this photo of a denim tie front tank top from DKNY a little while back, and my favorite pattern shop  just happened to release a pattern that would work well for recreating it.

So I got the first Knock it off project done, and summer tops for both the girls in one swoop.

More about the Tank Tops

Pattern: Hattie Button Up Tank Top 
Fabric: Denim and Medium Weight Animal Print Twill.

Pattern Alterations:

• Skipped the ruffle on both
• Added One inch length to both
• Skipped the bias tape on the denim version. My machine just couldn’t handle it.

I automatically add an inch to the length to any Peek A Boo Pattern I use for my daughters. They are such skinny little waifs, my girls.

I like that I am so comfortable with a pattern company that I know exactly what changes will need to be made before I even start to sew.

If you are planning to sew the Hattie Tank Top  pattern make sure you take a look at the Susie Sundress as well. It's half price today only.  The half price sale is over for this week, but don't worry, she puts a different pattern on sale every Thursday!

How to Mark Buttons and Buttonholes for a Perfect Match

How was everyone's weekend? Did you get a lot accomplished?  One of my goals was to start sewing some summer clothes for the kids. The first project in my summer sewing line up is the Hattie button up tank top from Peek a Boo Patterns in some denim and twill that I have in my stash. 

The shirts aren't quite ready to show you just yet but I did want to give you this quick photo tutorial of how I get my buttons and buttonholes to match perfectly the first time. 

Feel free to ask questions or make suggestions in the comments. 

Me In The 80's

I've decided to sit out 80's week on Project Sewn. At least I was able to participate in the first two weeks.

...Don't be sad, cause two out of three ain't bad...

Now that I've got that out of my system, I can let you know that I still plan to submit something for week 4. In the meantime I'll be catching up on a few other sewing projects, including summer clothes for the kids, baby gifts for the triplets, and maybe helping my sister with some mending and refashions. 

I have a bad habit of planning more than I actually have time to accomplish  so don't be surprised if all I get done is the summer clothes.

Finally, In honer of Project Sewn Inspired by the 80's week, here is a picture of me and two of my sisters in the 80's. My youngest sister wasn't born yet so you'll have to wait till someone does a 90's week to see her.

Good Luck to all of the contestants and Sew Alongers! I can't wait to see what you all come up with!