I'm in a quandary. Do I continue to add to my wardrobe by making new? Because we all know I own the raw materials to do so. Or do I deconstruct and remake? I've made some beautiful dresses over the years using some amazing fabrics. During my weight gain, I gave a lot away because I could make new. But now that the weight is gone and will probably stay gone...do I give away again? Or do I remake?
Y'all I've never been a remake sewing woman. The alterations always annoyed me so I made new. BUT some of these summer dresses are just gorgeous and I don't want to say goodbye...
Dresses like this:
You get the drift. I did reclaim a few dresses and skirts:
Made this skirt in 2019. Re-wore it last week. Wearing the denim version next weekend.
A rayon crepe version of my TNT flare skirt made in 2017 went on vacation with me and has been worn to work this summer. I've pulled the pattern to make more.
A couple of Myosotis dresses have also been reclaimed:
While I have reclaimed some older pieces that I thankfully didn't give away, there are so many more that will go in the donate pile. So do I reclaim or do I donate. I will keep you updated.
...as always more later!
Make new. This is a new chapter for you. You've got the goods (literally). Maybe look at this as being able to construct garments and use up existing yardages to reflect this new stage of your life. Keep the garments you absolutely cannot do without or hate to part with and reconstruct those. Kim
ReplyDeleteI'd also go with remaking the ones you really love and otherwise making new. That way we get to see new wonderful clothes and your remake process if you decide to show it!
ReplyDeleteHeather
If the fabric says "keep me" remake the dress, otherwise make new. There will be fabric that says "make me" as well.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Theresa: listen to the fabric!
ReplyDeletePat in Pretoria 🇿🇦
I’d be very tempted to make the dresses I loved into skirts, and have fun making some coordinating shells or something. So much easier than resizing a bodice of any kind! Perhaps even consider cutting new, now-sized coordinating bodices to remake one or two dresses if you don’t want that many skirts?
ReplyDeleteI just took in a top with a partial peplum and I chose not to deconstruct it. I took it in at the two sides seams and the two front princess seams. I only needed to unpick where the peplum met the blouse. I had to trim away some of the fabric at the side seams where the peplum met the bodice so that the hems would be even. I was able to take in the princess seams without unpicking those seams. It's not constructed like the original instructions but no one's going to notice and I just saved me a lot of time by altering instead of deconstructing and reconstructing. I also had to take in the waist on my skirts but since they are elastic waisted, I chose to only shorten the elastic and just have more gathering at the waist for a fuller skirt. I, too, have lost weight and selectively choosing to alter things that are now too big. I figure that I've put in a lot of time and effort in those items and want to wear them more! By altering, I'm leaving more time to create new garments from the fabric in my stash! I'm so happy to hear about your healthier lifestyle!
ReplyDeleteI think if the fabric is worth the time to remake, then go for it! Otherwise go for whatever you have in the stash that's calling to you. I think being able to wear whatever is going to make you happiest is the most important thing!
ReplyDeleteMaking new and giving life to your stash is always the best option. Assemble your donate pile and leave it on the side for a few days somewhere you’ll pass by frequently. Perhaps something will call to you to be saved, but don’t keep it unless you can figure a reasonable plan for the alteration. Your waterlily myosotis was an excellent example. All the best, Odette
ReplyDelete