It made me realize that I've made quite a few pieces but there is a select group (and this skirt falls into it) that I rarely wear. I don't wear these garments for various reasons, some intangible, like they just don't make me feel great when I wear them. It's not like they're too tight or too loose. They aren't fidgety and they've even passed the Wearability Test...they just get worn infrequently for some indiscernible reason.
So does this happen to anyone else? Have you made garments that are just ho hum when you wear them? They are sewn well but just wear meh? If so, do tell...because this is the Question of the Day. Talk back to me, I've incorporated an inspiration idea into my dress that's taking some careful placing and making me slow down this journey.
...as always, more later!
My wardrobe is quite limited right now, so I do wear nearly everything I make. But as I vary the types of clothing I'm making, I'm fully expecting to not like something. I love knit tops and wear them 90% of the time. I'd like to liven things up a bit, so I'm making some woven shirts and tops. I'm a bit nervous about whether or not they'll be worn often. Time will tell!
ReplyDeleteHeavens yes. Have had RTW clothes in the same category. In the past, if it was wearable enough, and fit decent, I put it in rotation and forced myself to wear it until it wore out or I found some reason to send it on to the thrift shop. Now, if it doesn't get worn and it's not a special occasion item it goes into the thrift bag to make room in the closet for something I will wear.
ReplyDeleteHappens all the time to me. I see something, love it, and spend hours making it. Only to not love the finished project. Sometimes it doesn't even make it to the closet. The last skirt spent 4 months folded on the cutting table until I moved it to the give away box. I love your Burda Skirt. I hope it see more wear soon. g
ReplyDeleteEverything the other ladies say - times 2!! I love sewing but my strike rate is only about 50% success. I try to learn, but reason that if they go off to the thrift shop maybe someone else will enjoy them.
ReplyDeleteSometimes it is just a bad birthing, so I hide it away for a couple of weeks while I get over it, then fall in love all over again. Make sense?
ReplyDeleteSheilaC2
Yikes, yes this has happened. And I agree with all of the comments here, sometimes it is just a temporary thing, other times it is why did I waste my time and money on this. I have discovered that it is sometimes worth finding a similar garment rtw and trying it on. If it is comfortable and a flattering fit then it is worth it to make it, but if not then I have not wasted my time or money. This is what makes the TNT patterns so valuable.
ReplyDeletesame here, I have a few pieces that I haven't worn since I made them because there is something about it, I just don't like. I keep them because its a reminder of what NOT to make in terms of silhouette and stuff like that. Happy Sewing!
ReplyDeleteOh yes that happens to me. I love making jackets/fitted jackets but I don´t wear them. They just hang there in my closet and look sad. It's nothing wrong with the fit and I've sewn them very neat but I don't know when to wear them. But I keep sewing new ones anyway.
ReplyDeleteYes! And with RTW also. I think the reason is sewing or buying for my imaginary life, not the real one.
ReplyDeleteI agree with JustGail...it's sewing for an imaginary life! I also have the problem that, since I am very oddly-shaped, if I don't fit something, it doesn't fit right. And I am *very* uncomfortable with wearing things that don't fit right! Hence my tendency to slip into T-shirts and skirts. They always fit!
ReplyDeleteYes - this has happened when I've picked a style or fabric or color scheme that, in the end, just doesn't really "do anything" for me. I'm pretty ruthless in my RTW wardrobe about purging these items, but the ones I've sewn linger in the closet.
ReplyDeleteI tend to make statement pieces; an A-line skirt would not make me feel great, it's too boring for me. I have a lot of garments made out of Bali Butik fabrics which are gorgeous and I never see anyone else in them except at a sewing show, in the Butik booth! If I make a piece that is meh, I use it to cook, or clean, or paint in; it is really difficult for me to let my sewn-by-me clothes go. It is not unusual for me to get stopped on the street and complimented on what I am wearing. For an introvert, I sure put myself out there in an extroverted way!
ReplyDeleteI'm the same way with clothes and shoes. Certain styles that were 'a good idea at the time' force me to leave my comfort zone. I am more comfortable in fabric that has some stretch to it. I buy wools and other wovens, but they usually stay in the closet. I love shoes with the 'wow factor'. They fit, but I end up wearing lower heeled plain Janes. It's a comfort zone addiction. I'm beginning to think I go after these 'out of my comfort zone' items to satisfy my alter ego. :)
ReplyDeleteThere are definitely things in my closet that don't get worn and like you not because they don't fit. I just never reach for them or mostly while they aren't really orphans I don't like how they look with other pieces. So they sit.
ReplyDeleteIt happens to me when I make things that I think I should like. Like a skirt that I think would be a good idea but I don't like wearing it.
ReplyDeleteOr things that I make because they look cool but I never would buy them in RTW.
If I stick to styles that I know that I like, I'm fine. Sometimes I get what I call joe genius ideas and they don't work out.
Oh my yes it happens to me too!! I almost gave up sewing because of it! I thought it was because I kept selecting the wrong patterns and / or fabrics. I quickly learned that it's just one of those things! It happens! We just have to sacrifice a couple of pieces here and there because of it...gosh we save a ton by making our own clothes any way right?!
ReplyDeleteI find this can happen but with me its always seems to be a case of being a garment ahead of its time. Often I have a garment that I wore maybe once in a year or two and then I find it in a new light and wear it a lot. Sometimes these pieces just need some aging in the back of the closet.
ReplyDeleteI think my biggest reason for not wearing something is the closure or the waistband-I don't like side zips on skirts and trousrs because I have a long waist and short arms and I have to fight with my clothes every time I have to pee! LOL! I tried drawstring waists but as my waist is the widest part of my body that adds width where I SO don't need it. Ditto with elastic waists. I've got the chest figured out but the waist on pants especially has really turned making them in to a hit or miss proposition, which is a shame becaue I really need pants.
ReplyDeleteYou bet! I have put many hours into well-made garments, tried them on and thought, "UGH. If this were a clothing store I would put this back." And off the garment goes to the thrift store for some other person to appreciate. Maybe this is why making a muslin is always a good idea...... :)
ReplyDeleteIn the late economic downturn, I lost the freedom to buy fabrics in colors and fiber content that I prefer. So, all the scraps and odd lengths of fabric hoarded in my basement -- from past projects, from friends who cleared out their dead relatives' stashes, and upholstery samples from the High Point furniture show -- became my source for what I sew. My "meh" clothing is mostly "meh" because of color: I look best in cool, clear jewel tones. My dead donors preferred grayed yellows and muddy olive greens. Sometimes "meh" is because of comfort: rubber-backed heavy upholstery fabric is even less comfortable to wear than you might imagine. They make good Christmas pageant costumes, tho.
ReplyDeleteYes, absolutely! So much so, that lately I've had the idea to clean those garments OUT of my closet and take a try at re-making them in some way. I haven't made complete decisions yet, but I have started a pile of 'to be re-purposed' clothes! Will they turn out better? I don't know. If not, I can always harvest the zippers, buttons etc and use the fabric for doll clothes for my granddaughters :)
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