Giving Up Off the Rack Clothing

Today I was thinking I bet I could live another five years without buying another off the rack garment. I have a fabric stash, tons of patterns, tons of clothes I could redesign. I like the freedom of designing my own wardrobe. Very few things off the rack fit me anyway. I'm bigger than average. I have broad shoulders and long arms. I have wide calves. Many of us, maybe even most of us, can't wear off the rack clothing without some alterations. Plus people tend to give me clothes. Yardsellr just sent me a free t-shirt for example. Or I can knit or crochet vests and scarves and hats. This is good news since I don't like to shop. I really don't. It's tiring, nothing fits right, it's overpriced and never seems to come in the colors or prints that I want, and salesclerks are well known for being rude to fatter older women. There are so many things I'd rather do with my time than shop. Years ago I made my own wedding dress. I figure if I can do that, I can sew just about anything.

I'd rather spend time in nature than shop.

Nude, Blush, Turquoise

Today I was on Pinterest and got swept away looking at fashions in the color nude, which lead to fashions in the color blush, and then on to turquoise. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I'll post the screen captures. to see the entire collection, click on the links on 'nude' and 'turquoise' above.
I think turquoise and blush/nude would look very nice together.

Scarf Ideas

Wearing a scarf is a quick and easy way to get more mileage out of the looks you can put together with garments you already have. So get those scarves out of the drawer or closet and give them a walk around the park.

Source: google.com via Annette on Pinterest

Make a Rose Stencil T-shirt

I just cut out a rose stencil that I drew by hand on Bristol board. I thought I'd scan it and post it here for you to use for free on anything your little heart desires, as long as you don't sell the item commercially. It's almost dark so I won't apply it to the t-shirt until tomorrow. So basically for the price of a t-shirt ($5.), two bottles of fabric paint (pink and green about $3.00), and a few on hand craft supplies like tape and scissors, I'll have a new t-shirt.

Rose Stencil by Fayme Harper. Click on photo to see large version.

 

 

Print free rose stencil on card stock or plastic sheets and cut dark area out carefully with a craft knife.
If you are handy with an air brush you can use that instead of a stencil brush. Resize the stencil if you need a larger or smaller one.

Green Outfit and New Heels

Today I went to Payless, about the only local store I can find affordable shoes in wide widths. It sucks to have wide feet and miss out on so many great styles, yet shoe manufacturers insist on catering to the narrow spectrum of shoe sizes.
There was another pair I wanted but they just weren't quite big enough.  I may find them at another Payless so the helpful clerk printed out the stock number so I can call around. The other pair is black with a shiny snakeskin type texture.

I also got a pair of shiny black ballet flats. I hate shoe shopping. I only buy what I need and wear them out before I get new ones.

This blouse I bought for my daughter's wedding years ago. I've already gotten my money's worth out of it long ago. The skirt is from Holyclothing dot com.

Red Maxi Dress

Yesterday I just threw something on and didn't bother taking a photo.  Today I wore my favorite long dress and cringed when I saw the photos. Why is it that the clothes that look the best feel the worst? I took 65 photos and finally gave up. Here are the best photos.

Jumpsuits and Rompers

On Good Day LA Style File they did a fashion forecast and said jumpsuits and rompers are back in style.  Ever since the late '70's I've been wondering why they hadn't been brought back.  Much like a dress, where it's easy to throw on and wear, jumpsuits make it super simple to get dressed. My mom loved wearing rompers too. Now if they'd just bring back culottes.

The one thing to be careful about when making a jumpsuit is to get the crotch length right. Otherwise you'll end up with a permanent wedgie and it will drive you nuts. Adjust the crotch length on the pattern if you need too.

Somehow I don't think I'm going to look the same in a jumpsuit as I did in the 70's though.