A Capsule Wardrobe: Plan of Attack

Here we are, I'm a couple of weeks into this Capsule Wardrobe project, if you count all the thinking about it first. You see, I like to think things through so I feel like I know what's going on before I take the plunge.
I've come up with a loose plan and 'rules' to get to my capsule wardrobe after giving a lot of thought to it, and starting. I recommend taking one baby step first, to see how you work, then move forward after making any adjustments you might need to make.

The First Step: Out with the Old

 First, I've gone through about a third of my current wardrobe and have filled a big black garbage bag with clothes that no longer fit. I'm not going to hold on to them in the hopes that they will eventually fit again, because let's be realistic, I had a baby and my hips are several inches bigger than they used to be. And hip bones don't shrink.

I did sell some clothes. We might do a post on that later ;)

I've would like to try a 1 in, 3 out rule, until I hit my goal number of each piece. So, since I've made one dress (sort of), I have to take out 3 dresses and either sell or Goodwill them. I already had been thinking about my dresses and I can easily move 3 out.

One thing I am trying to keep in mind is my career path. I do plan to promote up in the next few years, so I may store a couple of pieces that I can use in the future. However, I will have to pull them out every few months, try them on to make sure they still fit and look good. If they don't, out they go.

The Second Step: In with the new

The rest of my plan is to start making new clothes for me.

Why am I making most of them? Because I know if I make them they will fit. I can take my time and practice so I get a good look for me. This is going to slow down the overall process, but I will feel good about Every Single Piece of my wardrobe.

I did keep a few tops, most of my pjs, some scarves, and pants. As I make more items, some of these will have to move out, but hopefully I will be confident enough in my new stuff to happily let them go.

To be honest, I don't have a specific end number in mind right now for anything but pants. (Which you will hear about in next week's post.) So, until I promote up and no longer have to wear a uniform, I'm not sure how bit my wardrobe will actually be. I do know I want it to be smaller than it currently is by quite a bit, I just don't know specifics yet.

Thanks for visiting!

If you are wanting to start a capsule wardrobe, or making more of your clothes, let me know how it's going! I love questions, so if you have any about either process, ASK, and I will try to answer.

100 Days of Sewing- Sort of

So, awhile back I decided to sew every day for 100 days straight. And I almost made it.

You see, I started in the summer when things weren't as crazy as they could have been, so I did awesome. Then, two weeks ago, I started a new job. New job, new hours, new responsibilities. It was a bit overwhelming (and still is). On the night of day 72, I crawled into bed exhausted. As I drifted off to sleep I realized that I hadn't sewn that day. At all. Had this been a few months ago during school and all that, I would have dragged myself out of bed and sewn a seam, lost sleep would have been no big deal.

But I just couldn't. I was waaaaaay too tired, and stressed, and worried about being late to work and falling asleep in training, and all that stuff that could make the new bosses not look too kindly on me. I decided it was okay to take a break, and it's been a couple of weeks now.

Today is day 50 of no buying yarn (minus ones needed for a custom order placed). 50 Days! . And it's day 31 of no fabric. I'm on a roll! So I decided to go ahead and take advantage of the streak and start 100 Days of sewing again. I'm sure I can make it, no problem. I've got quilt blocks, quilts, a skirt, and an alteration already lined up to be done. Not to mention the giant box of stash that needs to be used too!

Here's a look at what all got finished-finished in the first round of 71 days:
(Not pictured, yet, a vest for myself and a bean bag that I will be posting on in the near future)

Finished Object Role Call: August 2015

Knitting/Crocheting

Pre-service meeting socks. Three and half pairs. 

And no Christmas Presents

Sewing

These are Rosie the Riveter Overalls! 2 pairs for a cute mom and her daughter. They will be killin' it at Halloween. 

This is a mini quilt for a swap. The first quilt as you go and first applique I've done. 

If you'd like to see the FO's in progress, as they are completed, and some other random bits and pieces of life, follow me on Instagram!I also do GIVEAWAYS on Facebook.  You should go 'like' the page, be sure to be following it too! 

Finished Object Roll Call: May 2015

Knitting/Crocheting

The Second Completed, Third Started, Project Linus Blanket: Entirely from Stash

Sewing

John kept stealing my UT fleece blanket, so he got a super hero one of his own. This was the ONLY non stash project completed this month!  

Some owls for a swap. They WILL be part of the shop in a few weeks though! 

Some comfy, lightweight pj pants for myself. These might make an appearance in the shop too. 

My first paper piecing AND first mug rug. 

And a second mug rug. With close up of quilting below. 

If you'd like to see the FO's in progress, as they are completed, and some other random bits and pieces of life, follow me on Instagram!I also do GIVEAWAYS on Facebook.  You should go 'like' the page, be sure to be following it too! 

Sew My Stash Weekend Challenge 1: What I Did

As I stated earlier, I am participating in the Sew My Stash dealy this year. And Leasa has set forth our first challenge here: Weekend Challenge 1.

Basically we had to make something that incorporate hearts into it, using at least 75% stashed fabrics.
 I immediately jumped to the red and white quilt I had started... awhile ago. And pulled it out. As I plugged away on some half done squares, I realized it would take me waaaaaaaay more than a week to get it anywhere close to being done.

I have twenty squares so far, but they are a lot smaller than I usually make so the quilt would be like 2 feet square. (I'm of the make a real, useful quilt camp, none of this 'wall hanging' or 'mini' quilt stuff.)

Then I told myself, "Hey didn't you get some fabric with hearts on it from Hobby Lobby or something?"

I went and stash dove. And couldn't find it. But I did happen on some other heart fabric that I received from a swap on Ravelry last year.  Pair it with some polka dot fabric and we're good to go.

I have some real quick and easy patterns that I could use. I checked sizes and amount of fabric and found I had just enough to do some of the reversible baby pants that I've been meaning to make more of for the shop.

So here they are: Valentine Reversible Baby Pants; Size 0-3 months.

Since I don't have a cute baby to put them on, you can look for them in the Etsy Shop or Facebook message me if you'd like them ;)