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Sunday, November 01, 2015

Final Closet Cull

I have to admit that it's weird waking up and putting on more RTW than me-made every morning.  I know that in time, I will get back to primarily me-made but it's definitely a shift.  To add to that shift, I did the last closet cull...and I was ruthless this time because one day last week...I realized that I NEVAH opened the closet doors anymore.

Why? Because 90% of what was in the closet was either too big or unsuitable for my new life. So I decided enough was enough and I cleared the closet out. The result ~ almost all of my RTW cardigans that I purchased to go over me-made dresses are still around but the dresses have been donated.  Picked up last Monday and vanquished from the house forever.

I think I was finally ready to let go because I saw no point in holding on.  Think of any dress I made from 2011-2014 and it probably will be worn by some other person now.  Skirts and pants too were donated, though this morning I located a few more pieces that were probably ignored during the scourge last week, that will also be given away. I was ready to be done.  I had no regrets, shed no tears, just realized that this is a new life event and I need to meet it head on.

However, a few pieces remained ~

This dress (McCalls 6395) which I'd only worn once or twice because it really was a little too funky for my old job...



...became a new top worn over jeans!






I cut the skirt portion off the dress right under the faux leather band and tossed it.  The top needed nothing ~ no other repairs/alterations because the faux leather trim finished it off nicely.  It wore well over jeans and under a black cardigan to work. 

This outfit which I absolutely loved ~ a cardigan from Butterick 6002 in faux leather and ponte and my TNT dress in faux leather and ponte...



...was shortened to tunic length and will be worn over leggings.



I was happy to save this one by cutting off 17 inches and hemming the lining and ponte fabric.  This is one of my ponte outfits where the ponte is piling but that's because the perforated faux leather works against the ponte.  I shaved the piling off and probably won't wear this outfit often but at least this one made it through the closet cull.

Other than the outfits I made this year and a couple from the end of last year, everything is gone.  The good thing is that I have loads of pictures here on the blog, as well as details, on how garments were constructed if I decide to remake anything in the future.

I also donated a dozen pair of brand new heels that were barely worn and that I wouldn't wear now anyway.  The only things that I didn't give away were handbags and my extensive jewelry collection.  I will figure out a new way to wear the jewelry and well the handbags can always be used.

So with a much lighter closet, I'm pressing on and working out new pieces to be added to the wardrobe.

...as always more later!



24 comments:

  1. Wow, I bet you feel so much lighter. And very excited too for all the possibilities to come from the fabric collection!

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  2. New figure, new clothes, no going back.

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  3. That's what I am talking 'bout... refashion... luv it !

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  4. Yay! Out with the old, in with the new and fabulous!!!

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  5. As soon as we create a vacuum, good things rush in to fill it...prepare for some new blessings coming your way!

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  6. Good grief; how could that lovely dress be considered "funky"? It must have been stifling working in such an atmosphere; good on you for moving on.... I bet you feel lighter (not referring to your amazing weight loss) and cleaner somehow with all the old things gone. And now, on to filling up the closet again.

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  7. How great that you have cleaned out your closet. Now you can fill it with more fabulous creations.

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  8. My adult daughter has been inspiring me to declutter too. I have to say I am a little sad to think your yellow Easter dress is probably gone. That was my all time favorite. Your beautiful clothes will surely bless someone else!

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  9. You should feel proud of yourself for such a huge de-cluttering. You should also feel good about donating all your lovely clothes to someone who needs them. I know this has been a long, stressful journey but now you have arrived and will sew many garments that suit your new life and shape. I look forward to seeing what you create. Karen

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  10. I love the feeling of completing a big transition... your post reminds me of my last closet cull before a big move! No regrets & can't even remember the garments I got rid of 5 years later. ;-)

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  11. I know it takes a lot to get rid of things you've made and loved. Your refashioned ideas made great use of the fabrics.

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    1. Faye - that's why it took so long to do because I was getting rid of hundreds of hours of work...piped necklines and armholes, lace added, color blocked and pattern altered dresses...everything lined and many with lace trim on the linings. I'm hoping that whomever ends up with them loves them as much as I did.

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  12. You are a total inspiration in so many ways!

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  13. Ooo I was thinking that the top dress would make a fantastic shirt. Nice job, so cool to see you reconstructing me-mades to make it work for you now. :)

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  14. How very exciting Carolyn, such a change is energising for me as a reader - goodness knows what it is like for you. I can't wait to see what you will make next.

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  15. Very excited that you have swept the old away and are starting afresh with the new. I hope you are feeling "free". You are so right - you have lots of pictures if you need to revisit your great styles. That is one suggestion for any type of decluttering - take a photo and get rid of it. Looking forward to seeing what your life brings in the future!

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  16. Oh Carolyn! All those beautiful dresses? All gone?? My heart hurts just thinking about them. I have such a hard time parting with my me mades except for when they go to my daughter or grand-daughter. Thank you for the lovely comment you left me on my post. It's taken a long time to figure out who I was as a retired person but I do enjoy the challenge of adding things to my closet that aren't too ordinary. That Rachel Comey skirt is a great pattern. My daughter says it's her favorite thing in her wardrobe and wants at least three more in addition to the two I've already made her ! I totally see it on you in your new work atmosphere.

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    1. Diana - almost every dress is gone. I kept 2 - 3 that I just couldn't part with but this was really hard to do! Thanks for the empathy...however, losing weight and the job change there was just no reason to keep them.

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  17. Congratulations on decluttering your wardrobe!

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  18. I've had a nice time this morning catching up on your blog posts. congrats on your closet cull. I just did one last week and have 2 bins of clean and folded things to take over to my daughter - she supports a clothes closet for abused women... I actually let go of suits and workplace wear from years ago! I retired in 2009 and just haven't been able to let them go. So I hear you! I'm enjoying your sewing for your new workplace style.

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  19. I'm catching up on blog reading today....WOW!!! I'm so looking forward to seeing what you create now!

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  20. You did the right thing. Congratulations on decluttering!

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  21. Congratulations on the culling and letting go! Now you've got a lovely empty space that needs filling with gorgeous new garments. Looking forward to following along with you on the new collection!

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