so i actually still have it. i was going to offer it to a couple of friends but at the last minute i decided i wasn't ready to part with it yet so i'm going to keep it this winter and see if i wear it. i got rid of everything else but when it came down to it i couldn't let this one go.
Lovely video. Great suggestions. I recently went "window" shopping in local shopping centre and I took some photos of window displays. Got some great styling ideas
Hey Sara! Great video. I love the Simplicity jacket and the corduroy suit. But stop it! I already have too many plans to ever complete and now you've added more too it! Thanks for making this video. I really needed a nice video to relax and watch with a cuppa tea. This fit the bill perfectly.
Loved the first Simplicity pattern and the Vogue shirt! The rest of the outfits really aren’t my style, but I might have to invest in those two patterns. Thank you for doing these videos - I love them!
I don't know what this says about me, but I love cleaning out my wardrobe and passing things on at the end/beginning of seasons. For all the sewing I've done over the last 6 years, I don't have much to show for it, which probably seems weird!! Fortunately, I have friends who always appreciate me passing clothes on to them. So, these videos I really enjoy! Thanks for sharing. PS, your hair looks amazing. I always love it when you cut it in that short bob. Perfect.
Thank you so much for this very honest video Sara. I agree with you regarding donating your items… I always beat myself up about not donating items when I don’t have the tags they need. It’s such a loss for the community because someone else could receive some beautiful things. Oh well, I don’t have a problem getting rid of things, just that they can’t be donated sometimes. I love your honest videos. 😉🥰
I loved the description of the I Am Aime shirt, as a men’s shirt adapted for women. Kind of like a shirt you’d borrow from your boyfriend or husband and cut down to make your own. I agree about the pocket sagging a bit. The rest of the outfits are gorgeous! Thank you for sharing.
Just got rid of a lot of me-mades recently. Honestly wondering if this hobby is worth so much of my time and money ;) Learned a few things doing this too, like that I don’t like to wear wowen tops, don’t like short skirt anymore, and don’t like polyester either. Wishing to simplify my wardrobe doesn’t seems to easily pair with the creativity and experimentation on patterns, fabrics and sizing sewing is requiring. I appreciate you cover this aspect, thank you for sharing ❤️
i try to think of it as a journey. even if a project fails and i never wear the garment, there is still something to be learned from it (even if the lesson is that i hate scratchy fabric). gaining experience and knowledge isn't a waste in the long run. it will help you to refine your taste and skills and each subsequent make will get better and better.
Thank you for your honesty about your garment clear out! I tend to remove items from the wardrobe at the beginning of the season, but it always feels good once you've finally let go of some things doesn't it? Although I can see why you had so many mixed feelings about your quilted jacket!
I do feel disappointed and guilty too, when my handmade garments don’t workout. But you’re right; it’s not worth holding o to them! Handing them on or recycling 👍🏻. Thanks for sharing.
Great video. I’m slowly getting more adventurous in my sewing and do love some of the French styling. However could you tell me what pattern you used for the Shorts you are wearing in your introduction. They look very smart. Thank you.
Most of my clothing is RTW, and the question I ask myself if, "Would I buy this now/again?" If not, why is it here 😄? Especially if it never/rarely goes out of the closet? For me, I think it's b/c I don't want to think I made a mistake or was foolish, so I guess pride or something like that. I want to recoup my investment. However, if I reframe it as hopefully making someone happy with a new-to-them item (sometimes never even worn) it makes me happy - we don't have the size tag requirement here for thrift stores, and I have purchased things at thrift stores myself so I know how happy one can feel from a great "find." One of my first sewing jobs as a child was taking buttons, zippers, trims off clothing that was too far gone to be donated or worn any longer - and I still do it!
i've gotten quite a lot of mileage out of certain buttons. i think sometimes i reuse them 2-3 times. it's definitely worth doing once you go to the store and realize how much new buttons are!
Thank you so much for answering my questions about what you do with these items. I would have never thought to reuse some of the items that you mentioned (elastic). Great ideas 👍
I am having trouble letting go of my old tops. I have 5 in a bag that I have stopped wearing because they have actually torn, or become faded under the arms. They are made of silk chiffon, (lined) which really doesn't last very long. The prints are absolutely beautiful. It would have broken my heart to stop wearing them if I didn't have a 50 litre container packed with similarly beautiful, but different, silk fabrics. I was disappointed that my lovely silk/cotton top didn't last longer, but it was a very fine, thin cotton. The last three tops that I have made have been in a slightly heavier cotton and I am hoping that they will last longer than silk chiffon or very fine cotton.
i'm sorry that your beautiful tops didn't last as long as you would have liked! that's always a disappointment. hopefully your next makes will have more staying power.
The black PE shirt you're wearing looks perfect for you. The sleeve and neck shape look fantastic. I followed your affiliate link to add it to my cart 😁 I liked going through your closet. That white lacy border print top was so beautiful. And the red gingham .... And so many others. I understand why it's been difficult to give them away. I have a few me-mades that I need to get rid of too. Thank you for sharing!
thank you, Melanie! i just have to remind myself that nothing is really irreplaceable. if i love it enough i can find a way to make it again (or something very similar)
Great idea to share this closet clean out. Of the things you got rid of, any patterns you’d also part with? Or, the patterns were fine, just not paired with fabric you loved? Sorry to see the quilted coat on the chopping block, but I’m sure you can find many who’d want to have it since it was beautifully made.
i think for the most part if i said i would remake it, then i would and if i didn't say that, i probably wouldn't. i'm the worst at hoarding patterns though--earlier in my sewing journey i got rid of a bunch of big 4 that i didn't think i would ever make and i ended up repurchasing several of them again down the line. so now i only purge patterns that are absolute stinkers.
Great video, Sara. I've been having the same thoughts about cleaning out my closet, but I have avoided it because I know it will make me feel depressed because there are so many garments that don't fit, are made from the wrong fabric, not my particular style, etc. Then I think about all the money I spent buying the fabric! Argh! But you've motivated me and that's what I will be doing later this week. Because you're right - why keep something in my closet if I know I'm never going to wear it? Take care!
i've been repeating to myself that nothing is a waste--you learn from every project even if it was a failure and that knowledge is priceless. hopefully as we keep going we'll make fewer and fewer mistakes!
I appreciate this content so much, both for your honesty and your humor. Thank you for continuing to help us all be mindful on our sewing/fashion journey!
I’m glad you brought this subject up and addressed it so authentically. Anyone who has sewn for a while knows about this painful predicament. I have cut some of my clothes (linen or cotton) into quilt squares. I still haven’t completed a quilt with them, tbh. Part of the problem is the lack of time. I wish we had a good place for textile recycling near me. ✂️❤️
i would love to get back into quilting someday. i've learned that i only have enough time and space for sewing garments or quilts, but not both. maybe when i retire i can have both hobbies.
Love this so much! I’m also ruthless when it comes to letting go of garments (me-mades or RTW) because if I’m not going to wear it, it’s taking up space in my house and in my head for no good reason. Sewing is the kind of hobby where you learn by doing. So some of our garments will be things that don’t work out and THAT’S OK! 😊 Why would we keep those in our homes? Great video as always!!
Thank you for taking the shame of letting go of our me mades. You are so clear with your reasons thank you for the approval to just let go! Make something new!😊
Hi Sarah. Wow -- you've successfully made a lot more room in your wardrobe for new makes, your colors, increased comfort, and lots of potential. Congratulations! I have to admit when you got to the quilted jacket, I was cringing inside (all that work and so beautifully done). When you said the colors would be good in your home but not on your person, I was thinking/hoping maybe the jacket could be turned into placemats or table runners. There's nothing like sitting down to a meal with cheerful and beautiful colors, especially if the weather is gray and dreary outside. I have some beautiful fabric I got to make placemats, but that project keeps slipping off the to-do list as other things crowd to the top. With the quilted jacket, you've already got the quilting done. And with the big pieces, you might not have to piece together much to make good sized mats. I just keep seeing all those happy, joyous fabrics bringing light and warmth and sun to cold-season meals, Antonia
my first preference would be to keep it intact. i have some people in mind that i think might want the jacket. but thank you for the suggestion--i actually have several unquilted blocks left of the original project that i could use to make a cushion or something cheerful for the home. that's a great idea. ❤️
Wow! Love this! My questions are... Can I fit it and do I really like it. I've made so many garments that I do not like. I'm doing the same thing at the end of this season. I'm also making a closet purge video. I can't believe how many items I've collected that I do not wear. 😢Wow! Love this! I'm doing the same thing at the end of this season. I'm also making a closet purge video. I can't believe how many items I've collected that I do not wear. 😢 Great video! Very inspirational!
thanks, Tea! i've spent many years trying to minimize my mistakes and eliminate the things that i'm not actually going to wear, but unfortunately it doesn't always work out. i think it's always good to work towards that goal though, so i will keep trying! looking forward to watching your video.
I have really been enjoying your recent videos. Each has a different focus and always interesting. Also glad to see you often highlight alterations. Have been doing this as well and it gets rid of nagging items in the closet. Thanks.
I like my purple thing. 🙃 It isn’t essential, but I like it because it isn’t metal and I use it to push corners through gently. I use it with my serger too. I use it where my fingers should not go. Again not essential. I have thrown out many other gadgets. Many thanks for the video.
