It's July tomorrow and the beginning of my month long clothes shopping ban. To combat my slight need to shop, I've come up with a cunning plan that will leave me feeling both satisfied and productive all at the same time.
I am going to make one dress from a vintage pattern every week for the whole month of July!!
I got the idea from reading this lovely lady's blog. In fact, she has turned into one of those blogs for me (the ones where you check back every five minutes to see whether they have posted. I'm sure everyone has at least one!). But I know for a fact that there is no way I'd be able to do this for a year - a month, however, is manageable.
I'm also hoping it will kick start my sewing mojo again so I can get my lagging Etsy shop back up and running. Towards the end of last year, before I closed my shop, I was starting to feel like I was only sewing for the shop. I started to feel guilty when I did do little sewing jobs for myself because I felt like I should be sewing for the shop! So hopefully coming out of this with 4 beautiful vintage dresses, will make me feel happier about sewing for others again - because I actually do love it!
At the start of next week, I will do a post showing all four of the patterns I plan to make (I've just ordered another 4 to add to my ever expanding vintage pattern stash. I'm hoping they arrive by the end of the week, as there is one in particular that I would love to use this month).
And then at the start of each consecutive week, I will post the finished dress, with the pattern and talk about how it went. I'll hopefully throw in a few tips and tricks to help those of you out who are new to sewing with vintage patterns (I remember opening my first pattern and wondering where on earth all the printed markings were!!).
So, I hope you enjoy the fruits of my little challenge as much as I'm sure I'll enjoy sharing them with you.
XX
Jen
25 comments:
I love the pants!!!!!!!!!!!
Best of luck with your challenge! And I love your cardigan :)
What an ambitious plan -- good luck! I can't wait to see what you come up with. I'm not a sewer myself, but reading all these sewing blogs makes me want to take a class. :)
This is a really cool plan! I can't wait to see the fruits of your labor!
Well that sounds like a great plan! I bet the things you make will be just as pretty (and most likely prettier) than things you can buy! Good luck, and can't wait to see them, I wish I could make things!!!
gosh do you ever look good in pants. no fair. :)
Love this combination of navy and light blue. Perfect inspiration to break out my navy pinstripes!
Your look is beautiful!
xoxo
i'm excited to see how this turns out! i've got a stack of patterns that i am very slowly trying to work my way through and i feel like there aren't enough vintage sewing blogs out there - so thanks for the tip!
xo
tara
What a cool idea! Can't wait to see some of your creations!
I just LOVE your pants!!!
xoxo
Fabulous! What a crackerjack plan!
Sounds very exciting!! Can't wait to see! Love those pants!!
Oh yay, I can't wait! My friend is planning on doing some sewing from vintage dress patterns so I'll direct her over here. I love your pants too!
Awesome idea. I'm about to start sewing again too. I need to make a dress for MissIcy to wear to a wedding. First time I'll have made something in at least a year.
Oh I just tried to post a comment and the page expired...
That's a Friends of Couture cardigan isn't it? I've got the same in black. We'll have to not wear them at the same time! I'm still kicking myself I bought it full price and two days later it went on sale online...
Can't wait to catch up next week!
Firstly: I LOVE your cardigan--so pretty!!
Bravo on the sewing challenge! I cannot wait to see what patterns you've picked out and how they come together. I dare say, this will help with the sewing mojo coming back (having been in the same situation before)! ;)
♥ Casey
blog | elegantmusings.com
What a nice cardigan you have! I think that's a great idea, and I should definitely have a shopping ban. I've been buying so much stuff, but don't you think it's justified to buy beautiful vintage dresses? :--)
how exciting. I have always wanted to learn to sew clothing... but I'm just not confident enough in my ability. I think i probably need to just jump in and give it a shot instead of worrying about it so much.
I can't wait to see the patterns you choose and the beautiful dresses i know you will end up with!
Good luck with your sewing challenge! I've mostly given up dresses, as being petite means so many alteration.
I love those pants! Your legs look so long in them.
Can't wait to see the results of this challenge, I'm sure the dresses will be gorgeous!
What a great idea, can't wait to see your dresses. Have a fun weekend xx
What a great idea.... except I am not a sewer.... my sis is currently making me a dress from a 40's pattern, I had a fitting last week and I can't wait to see it finished. I'll follow your challenge!!
Welcome to Sydney!!
xx Lucy
Lovely trousers :)
I'd suggest using burst mode on the fancy camera for jumping shots (it probably has one?). That way you don't have to jump up and down like crazy to get one or two shots, you capture every stage of each one! You could even use a GIF-making website to make a jumping Jen GIF :)
A DIY wedding sounds lovely! Do they have Freecycle in Australia/NZ? You might find some nice things for the big day, I heard an item on BBC Radio 4 a while ago about a lady who had a Freecycle wedding & it sounded excellent.
Do you follow Lauren at Blooming Leopold? She's banned herself from buying clothes for a while too!
I'm not a great blogger myself but I enjoy reading yours. Keep up the good work!
Sarah
Great trousers and I love the detailing on your cardigan.
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