These are the patterns I picked to make this weekend from the HUGE stack of "on deck." I will be muslining both. The Pussycat blouse because I goofed on my last couple of HPs by picking a too-big upper chest size and I don't want to do that again. Plus, the sleeves. My biceps haven't seen 13" since I was 10. I'm also going to make a quick muslin of the skirt (view A, the gray one) to be sure on the length since chopping off at the bottom isn't a good option with the flounce. I've got the blouse muslin mostly cut out. I just have to alter the sleeve and cut it and then I'm ready for ugly sewing.
Coming downstairs to get on the computer, I saw the box with my Fabric Mart order sitting on the kitchen counter, which must have arrived in the last hour. Wow. That was FAST! Wasn't it just Thursday that I straightened out the mysterious credit card problem with my order? I'm not complaining.
I also snuck in yet another Fabric.com order earlier this morning. The sweater knits I received the other day washed up like a dream and I saw they had some moleskin, so I ordered another sweater knit, a taupe moleskin, and just enough other stuff to reach the $35 free shipping level, and used a coupon for 10% off, and OMG my fabric stash is exploding. (Run-on sentence much?) I sat in my sewing room today looking at it and contemplating that at some point fairly soon I'm going to have to pack it all up and move it. Now that will be a chore.
Also this morning I had a little fun in my closet again. I've got a few past favorite garments from when I used to work in Washington, D.C. in the 80s. I was a clothes horse then, with a hefty income for a single girl with no other bills, and paid outrageous amounts for my clothes in the downtown department stores (does anyone remember Raleighs?), so I kept a few just for posterity. They crack me up when I see them every once in a while. Well, today, I tried on 2 of the blouses just to see how I compare in size now to then. They are 1980s size 12. Both pretty much fit, but one is too snug at the hip to button the last button so it technically doesn't fit yet. The other one — well, wait until I press it, get myself photo-ready, and snap a pic. It's very Melanie Griffith/Working Girl, complete with the shoulder pads of the times. But it's so out that it's actually in again, sans shoulder pads. So who knows — I may just end up wearing it one day for real. One of the skirts I saved — well, let's just say that by seeing how teeny tiny the width was on the hanger told me there was no way I was going to be able to zip it today, so I left it on the hanger for another time. But it's definitely motivation to get that teeny tiny again, although crunches will have to be involved for that.
Speaking of closets and wrong-size clothes, do you think donating my self-made clothes that are too big is an option when none of them have size tags? I'm thinking that may be a big problem for a thrift store. But I also want them OUT of my house. My box overfloweth and I don't want any temptation to keep some to remake because while I could, I'm pretty sure I won't.
Anyone would be lucky to get all of the beautiful clothes that you have sewn and shrunk out of! I would simply ask a thrift store if they have a way to mark the size before they put them out on the floor. You're looking wonderful...I can't wait to see the Melanie Griffith blouse.
ReplyDeleteWhen do you think that you will be moving? You have handled everything else with zest and grace, so I am sure that you will handle moving in the same way!
I see home-sewn and tagless clothes at thrift stores all the time. They somehow seem to get them in the correct size group........
ReplyDeleteSpeaking on donating the home-sewn clothes.... how about thru the church or to a women's shelter. Added 'good feeling' of helping someone in need.
ReplyDeleteJoy in Palmland
I donate home sewn clothes all the time and never worry about the size tags. What if I bought RTW and hated to see the tags so I cut them out? Same principle to me.
ReplyDeleteYour new choices are interesting...can't wait to see how these work out!
I donate the clothes I sew all the time. In fact I have a huge stack sitting in a bag ready to go this week. I find items I know are sewn in thrift shops all the time. And some of the RTW have the size tags gone, so I don't think it matters. Someone that can fit into what you're donating would be thrilled to find them!
ReplyDeleteI so love that MoneyPenny blouse, and the skirt is just the perfect match for it. Quite Sassy!
ReplyDeleteYup! We donate sewn clothes all the time - and the RTW my Mom makes her aides cut the tags from because she doesn't like them poking her now-tender skin. If you have any business appropriate clothes, local women's shelters generally love to get them -especially plus sizes & very small ones - apparently their clientele tends to fall into those two ranges, at least in MN.
ReplyDeleteOMG, Debbie, I just got rid of the last of my 80's power suits about a year ago. Once I turned 50 I knew I'd never wear skirts that short again, and the jackets, well, you know. I worked just outside DC and spent way too much on my clothes, too. I didn't shop at Raleighs - I bought everything at either Woodward and Lothrop (remember them) or in boutiques. Thanks for the trip down memory lane - to be young and fabulous again!
ReplyDeleteI'll be watching to see how you alter the sleeves. I always have this same problem with patterns and in ready to wear.
ReplyDeleteI've donated sewn clothes before, and I've noticed some on the rack. I think they just sort of eyeball them for size.
ReplyDeleteI love the MoneyPenny blouse - can't wait to see you in it.
ReplyDeleteI donate what little I do get made up, I don't worry about the tags.
I have a charity near me, the Blind Men's Association of NJ, that runs its own thrift shop. They have always accepted and sold my things. Perhaps there is something similar near you. Given your expertise, you'd be making some needy lady very happy.
ReplyDeleteI've taken a Sharpie fine point and put the approximate size (as in S, M, L or XL) either on the inside waistband, pocket or facing cause I've had the same concerns.
ReplyDeleteTheresa in Tucson
I donate my sewn stuff, they sort it by type of garment and color rather than size so that's never been an issue.
ReplyDeleteI'm always leery of getting rid of things too quickly, but I run out of space in my closet SO fast. I don't know how other people keep clothes from decades ago -- I wouldn't have any place to put it!
I've seen handmade clothes at the thrift store all the time. At least our Goodwill sells them and they aren't always the best stuff, so I'm sure your items will be just fine.
ReplyDeleteYou could always donate to a women's shelter too!
I would absolutely donate your "homemades!" As a college student I haunted thrift shops for hand made clothes. The quality is usually better than most ready to wear, and your stuff is sure to be the pick of the litter. Make someone's day, Debbie!
ReplyDeleteDebbie, I donate RTW with the tags cut out all the time. I hate tags at my neck. Have you considered The Spring They have a donation location on the edge of downtown. They will give you a receipt for taxes when you drop off.
ReplyDeleteI have found so many home-sewn clothes at the Goodwill - actually, have found great hauls of usable fabric from other peoples home-sewn-gone-wrong at the Goodwill. Definitely donate - someone will do their happy dance at the thrift store when they stumble upon your goods!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog BTW - I always check my reader before bed to see what you have to say for the day!
I donate clothing to ARC. My reasoning being that just because something does not fit me perfectly, it doesn't mean that it won't fit someone else.
ReplyDeleteI too have been having some mysterious credit card problems. Tried to order the Liz blouse from Burda Style and cannot get through to PayPal and it also says that my debit card is a "restricted account". What!!?? Oh well, the PDF will still be there when everything is straightened out.
Somehow the talented people who work at thrifts stores get items sized up properly. Your sewing skills would make some of your garments a must-have.
ReplyDeleteDear mercy, more than half the rtw clothing is missing its tags at the thrift store I frequent! YES, donate the clothing. If it really bothers you, write details of size, fiber and washing instructions on a scrap piece of muslin, with a permanent marker, and safety-pin it into the garment. To alter for large biceps (a.k.a that bag of mice that now swings under my arm) I slash the interior of the sleeve pattern in vertical slashes, then spread only the biceps area. This preserves the sleeve cap length and the sleeve length, while adding inches only where I need them. Messy to look at, fit is great.
ReplyDeleteI see handmade garments all the time in the thrift stores. I think the larger/chain store has a sizing chart they figure things out by, but I don't know about the small stores. You could include a tag with the bust/waist/hip or comparable RTW size. I know I'd love to get some of your hand me downs!
ReplyDeleteFreecycle is another great option, and lets you explain the items too!
Yep, just like everyone else... there are lots of home made clothes in the thrift shops... usually much better made than the other stuff! Donate... someone will be sooo greatful!
ReplyDeleteAnd well... hmmmm... maybe remove the shoulder pads? Too funny... I'm sure that after we are all gone from this earth... someone else will be looking at our clothes and saying... they sure did make clothes different then we do now? Things change but they stay the same!