Sewing Your Cake (and wearing it too)…

Monday, April 29, 2013

A snippet of my sewing space. That strawberry tart was delicious by the way...

The term ‘cake’ has been flying around sewing blogs for a little while now, and I wanted to weigh in on the subject too (because, you know, why not!). 

Cake mostly refers to those garments that form staples in your wardrobe. From simple everyday skirts and blouses to dresses for work and other everyday activities. These ‘cakey’ pieces are sometimes talked about as being ‘boring’ pieces to sew up because they are plain and are meant to mix in with the other various pieces in your wardrobe. They don’t necessarily stand out by themselves. 

Icing (or frosting, if you live in America) are those pieces you make that you might, realistically, wear either once or never in some cases. They are those fun pieces that you make out of expensive silks, they have huge pouffy skirts, or long flowing tails. They have plunging necklines or strapless bodices. They have sparkles and bows and are fun fun FUN to sew up!  And let’s be honest, they are what make us want to sew in the first place. 



I really do love the icing, but spending so much time making a garment that you may only wear once or twice just doesn't appeal to me so much anymore. I want functional pieces that work well day to day and that I can wear hundreds of times in lots different ways. 

I’m pleased to say that I think I’ve been sewing up some major cake recently. I’ve made a number of different skirts that have become staples in my wardrobe almost as soon as I finished hemming them.  And while they aren’t necessarily all that interesting to post about, they do make getting dressed in the morning a lot easier to do. 

I have more yummy cake pieces coming for the winter months as well - I’m attempting to make my first pair of pants - eek! Any helpful suggestions most welcome. 

And while we are on the subject of cake, I am taking part in Me Made May for the first time this year! Here is my pledge: 

'I, Jen from Jennifer Lauren Vintage, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '13. I endeavour to wear one me made garment each day for the duration of May 2013 with a round up of outfits each week

There are nearly 300 of us participating in some way or another which is totally amazing! I love knowing that there are so many people walking around wearing their own garments.

So, tell me, do you enjoy sewing cake or would you rather just get on with the icing? 

xx
Jen

PS) In other annoying news, you are all probably aware that Google Reader is shutting up shop soon (Bah Humbug!!!). I have switched all my feeds over to Feedly (widely regarded to be the 'next best thing' compared to Reader. It's fine, but it's not Reader...). But I know that many people are switching to Bloglovin as well. 

Even more annoyingly, Bloglovin wants me to 'claim my blog' by posting some code onto a post. I don't know why that's how you have 'claim' it, it's already mine after all and has been for some time. But begrudgingly, here it is...

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10 comments on "Sewing Your Cake (and wearing it too)…"
  1. Can't wait to see your cake! I'm consciously tying to make cake but the icing is what I love and have far too much of it in my wardrobe! :-)

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  2. I'm looking forward to seeing what you've made! I only sew cake pieces. I've been trying to sew more "fun" things, but it's just not happening! Oh well, I do like actually wearing what I make.

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  3. I love sewing cake and I very rarely sew icing. Though I have to say, some of my cake might look like icing to other people since I wear a lot of colors and quite quirky clothes. But I wear them every day, so that makes them cake, right? :-D
    I found out your blog like two weeks ago and I read it from beginning to end: I love your style and I can't wait to see your new cake! :-)
    Oooh, and I too am taking part in Me-Made-May for the first time!

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  4. Looking forward to seeing your Me-Made-May outfits! I like to make a mix of garments-- of course, party dresses are the most fun to make and wear, but if that's all you make, you have the age-old problem of oodles of clothes but nothing to wear! I get lots of joy out of making things that I'll wear all the time because they're not just normal staples, but they're staples that are tweaked to fit me and my specifications, so they're special, even if they're not SUPER exciting.

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  5. I have the same machine!%)))
    I like to sew and wear my cakes!:))

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  6. You really do take the most gorgeous pictures! I'm so impressed! (Also, never in a million years will my sewing space ever look that neat, even for a photo shoot! :P)
    I'm so glad you are joining in for Me Made May! It's gonna be a fun month! :)

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  7. We can't have the cake without the icing huh! :)

    Sewing Sveta - Yay! I love this machine, it's so smooth and sews through anything!!

    Gillian - don't be fooled! I moved all the mess to the couch behind me :) But thanks so much for the lovely comment about my photography!!

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  8. I mostly sew cake but have just made 3 icing items which my wardrobe desperately needed.

    So glad you are joining MMM and the Sydney girls usually try and catch up during the month so hope you can make it.

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  9. I'm trying to do alternate between the two, I know what you mean about spending so much time on a garment and then you only wear it once......but its a really good once :)
    Good luck for MMMay13!

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  10. I like sewing (and wearing!) cake, but I am drawn to (and buy!) fabric for icing... I have to work on mixing the two - I guess I like layer cakes!

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