One day, I'm going to open an apple store, and it ain't gonna sell computers. Or apples. Just clothes for apple-shaped women. Sick of shopping for flattering, cool, and comfortable clothes, I recently took matters into my own hands and sewed up a few tops in a "granny chic" style I've always adored -- perhaps a throwback to the vintage-dress with combat-boots phase of my bohemian youth. Now that I am older, my niece has informed me that there's a fine line between "cute" and "crazy cat lady," and that I am often standing upon it. Be that as it may, I soldiered bravely on with my cache of quilting fabrics that almost all clothes-making websites strongly advise against using for apparel. Challenge accepted!
This pattern, the Mia Shift Dress from Serendipity Studio, was a perfect pick: No zippers, no buttons, no sleeves, with a couple of darts for ease and shaping. I knew from past experience that simple is best for me, and this pattern is only two pieces. I played with my free-motion presser foot to make squiggly-on-purpose outlines of the two applique birds. It was fun and very easy.
In the multi-verse, there is a version of me who has a fifties vintage kitchen and lots of fruit print aprons, as evidenced by the top above.
How could I say no to ampersand fabric? This pattern is the Ryan Top by Whitney Deal. It was a little snug for me across the yoke, but I made it work.
Can you tell this top is made by someone who loves to sew? Granny chic-anistas, unite!
This ensemble is cool and comfortable to wear. These were easy sew patterns from Simplicity, though I must say I am not eager to sew with black crinkle gauze again any time soon. It shifts around and is hard to see.
I fell in love with this vintage-look bicycle print for this dress. And the buttons, oo la la!
My flirtation with slow fashion and quilting fabrics was extremely satisfying, inspired by endless scrolling through 100 Acts of Sewing. I think that the idea of a simpler time is evoked by sewing your own clothes with woven fabrics. For some, DIY-ing is considered the ultimate act of resistance to fast-fashion, consumer-driven conformity and clothing consumption. Though of course I did buy the fabric to make the clothes. But I got to dictate the style, and these mid-weight cotton pieces are going to be around for a long, long time, not thrown in the landfill because the fabric is too flimsy or the style too faddish to upcycle or donate.
At the end of the day, it's empowering to know you can make your own clothes. I'll never be a tailor type of girl; idiot-proof styles are best for this home sewer. All I really needed to know how to do was cut, press, and sew a straight line. If you can do these things, and you so desire, you can make your own clothes, too.
My flirtation with slow fashion and quilting fabrics was extremely satisfying, inspired by endless scrolling through 100 Acts of Sewing. I think that the idea of a simpler time is evoked by sewing your own clothes with woven fabrics. For some, DIY-ing is considered the ultimate act of resistance to fast-fashion, consumer-driven conformity and clothing consumption. Though of course I did buy the fabric to make the clothes. But I got to dictate the style, and these mid-weight cotton pieces are going to be around for a long, long time, not thrown in the landfill because the fabric is too flimsy or the style too faddish to upcycle or donate.
At the end of the day, it's empowering to know you can make your own clothes. I'll never be a tailor type of girl; idiot-proof styles are best for this home sewer. All I really needed to know how to do was cut, press, and sew a straight line. If you can do these things, and you so desire, you can make your own clothes, too.
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