#FashionRevolutionWeek

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Cá em casa não se compra quase nenhuma roupa. Já é assim há um par de anos. As roupas que vestimos, são feitas por mim, dadas ou recicladas (de peças que já tinha ou compradas em 2ª mão). Não só tenho a poupança em mente quando opto por estas escolhas, como também tenho a mão na consciência. Uma vez por ano, tiramos um dia para comprar o que quer que seja que precisemos na altura, normalmente em época de saldos e noto que cada vez trago menos para casa, seja para mim ou para os miúdos. 

We barely buy any clothes in our house. It has been like this for a couple years now. The clothes we wear, are mainly made by me, given to us or refashioned (from pieces I already had or thrifted). I am not only thinking about saving when I choose to do this, I am also putting my conscience to work. Once a year, we get a day to go shopping for anything we need, mainly in sales and more and more I realise I come back home with fewer items, either for me or the kids. 

Hoje em dia, consumimos mais do que necessitamos. Trocam-se os bens materiais só porque sim, e quando se fala em moda então é por demais! E para responder a essa procura, existem grandes marcas que não hesitam em explorar e até escravizar seres humanos. As pessoas que fazem a nossa roupa. 

Nowadays, there's too many buying. Things get switched up just because, and when it comes to fashion, well, then it is just too much! In order to answer that demand, some big trades do not hesitate to explore and even enslave human beings. People that make our clothes. 

Ainda não ouviram falar da Fashion Revolution Week? Depois da morte de mais de mil pessoas em Bangladesh (24 Abril 2013), a trabalhar sob péssimas condições, o mundo quis saber quem faz as nossas roupas? Em que condições trabalham essas pessoas? E logo no ano seguinte (participei aqui) nasceu o movimento Who made my clothes? No dia do primeiro aniversário sob a tragédia, o mundo perguntou às grandes marcas, quem fez a minha roupas? Quis conhecer as caras de quem está por detrás. 

Haven't you heard of the Fashion Revolution Week? After the death of more tham a thousand people in Bangladesh (April 24, 2013), working under poor conditions, the world has been questioning who makes ourclothes? What are the terms those people are working in? The year after the tragedy, the world has asked those big brands, who made my clothes? People wanted to know to faces of those that are behind it. 

Eu faço as minhas roupas. E as dos meus filhos. Alguma pelo menos. Tenho a sorte de me ter interessado pela costura e ser capaz de as fazer. E cada vez mais tenho tentado evitar compras por impulso. Não só de roupa já feita e pronta a usar, mas também de tecidos. E neste ramo, nem sempre consigo, é verdade, e este ano até me ando a portar muito mal, mas sabe quem me acompanha há mais tempo que consegui passar cerca de dois anos sem grandes compras e sempre a costurar. 

I make my own clothes. And my kids'. Some of it at least. I have been lucky enough to be interested in sewing and learning my way through so I could be able to do it. And everytime I try to avoid buying in the moment. Not only in RTW but also fabric. I can't always succeed in that department, that's true, and this year I have been a bad girl, but for those who follow for a longer time, you know I spent nearly two years buying pretty close to nothing, always sewing. 

É possível manter a paixão, a criatividade, a criação sem exageros de consumo. Vamos todos reciclar mais? E se tu não costuras, és capaz de pensar melhor na roupa que compras, e em como ela é feita? Vamos mudar o mundo, um passo de cada vez?! 

It is possible to keep the passion, creativity and creation out of extreme consumption. Let us all recycle a bit more? And if you can't sew, would you be more aware of the clothes you're buying, and how were they made? Let's change the worl, one step at a time?!

* No Cose+ lançámos um desafio no instagram... querem acompanhar? 

Notes to Self #1 of 2014

So, again, I started a new year hoping to sew more from my personal fabric stash and refashioning piles. Four months have gone since the first day of the year, and I've been trying to figure out how good/bad I have been doing on my personal challenges. 

If I don't miss anything (and I try not to, by writting down all I have been sewing) I have accomplished 51 new pieces up to the day. 25 of them were refashions, 22 of them were made using fabric from my stash (2 of them used both refashioning and new fabric), 5 were made with new fabric bought this year already, which means that this fabric didn't last long in the stash pile, which is gorgeous, of course. 

As for what I bought: 5,5 meters of fabric (total) which costed me 11,65€. And (and here's the salt in my wounds) I've got 31 "new" pieces at the charity shop (4 of them bought today actually), spending 27,45€. It makes a total of 39,10€ in four months, so not even 10€ per month. 

But I consider I saved a lot too. Because I made 51 new pieces, you see?! At a cost of less than 1€ each comparing with what I've spent, and it was more than 10 items per month (though, a great part of these were sewn in the last month alone). 

From my new (bought this year, I mean) thriftings, I was able to use 7 pieces as they were (no need for refashioning or anything, 5 for G., one for me and one for my mom). I was able to refashion 8 other pieces, so from the 31, I got 16 left to work with - added to the pile. Not too bad I guess, since I've also used pieces that were there coming from previous years too. 

There's only one question left to answer? Who have I been sewing for? Let's see, who got more... 

My daughter is in the top of my "sew for" list, I made her 20 items; 10 for myself; 8 for my baby boy; 4 for my niece L; 4 accessories (things that aren't clothes); 2 items for my niece M.; 1 for my nephew; 1 for a friend's daughter and, 1 for my mom.

Fashion Revolution Day: Handmade #insideout

Just like many other bloggers, today I took the pledge to wear one of my handmade items inside out. Today, is the first Fashion Revolution Day, which I have told you about a couple of weeks ago. The movement started in response to the collapse of the textile factory Rana Plaza in Dhaka, Bangladesh which happened one year ago today, and we all are trying to raise awareness of what's going on behind the factory clothes we buy. 

In our house, most of our clothes (mostly for me and my daughter, and now for the little boy in that belly) are hand-me-downs, thrifted or handmade. I haven't been buying new clothes for about two years, unless a few exceptions. I can sew! And that helps a lot, but if you can't, and have to buy your clothes, why don't you try to know a bit more about who made them and how they made them? What conditions do that people have to work?

Read more about it HERE. 

Who made you clothes?

A couple of weeks ago I was contacted by Laura - Behind the Hedgerow inviting me to join other fellow bloggers in a Fashion Revolution. We're all asked to wear and post a handmade item inside out on the 24th of April and ask brands/retailers, ‘Who Made Your Clothes?’

Abby from All Things Boys, Celina from Petit a petit and family, and Laura from Beyond the Hedgerow have joined forces with Fashion Revolution to get out the word of their movement. Visit their blogs to read more about this event. 

Last year a factory in Bangladesh collapsed, killing 1133 people. Next month will be the first anniversary since it happened. So in honour of these people that lost their lives, because of the precary condicions they were forced to work under, let's all take the pledge and have a revolution. 

Backstage working...

It is extremely hard for me to finish projects ahead and then have to wait so long to share them. I am the kind of seamstress that enjoys sharing whatever I create right away. But sometimes we compromise to other people, and sharing what's been made has to wait.

So, that said, let me tell you I've been like a busy bee, not only sewing, but sorting patterns, searching for inspiration... There are a few great things coming... have you heard?! Here are a few I can share for now... 

The 9th season of Project Run and Play is now starting with the introduction of the designers. The first link party will be open March 24th. Challenge Create starts March 31st, an adult sewing edition, organized by the ladies from Skirt Fixation. 

Themes for Project Run & Play (click link to read more on blog):

- Take me to the Zoo

- Spring Break 

- Design your own fabric

- Signature style

Themes for Challenge Create (click link to read more on blog):

- Inspired by Nature

- Refashion

- (a hint of) Vintage

- Destashing

Also, Kids Clothes Week is coming back (April 7th - 13th) with something new. It is a themed edition... Mini Me... And this time I am planning to do things right. I have signed in the site already, I am trying to pick my patterns already, and decide what I want to get done through that week. I hope I'll be able to share my creations on time too. I am planning to exclusively sew for the baby during KCW, and am trying to keep the list short, though it's hard. I get all excited and want to do it all, but I know that if I put high expectations into it, I might end up dissapointed, so let's do the best not to.

What about you? Will you be sewing along any of these too?

Carnival (sort of) Series

photo source

The official day for Carnival over here is March 4th, next Tuesday. But celebrations have already started. On friday morning, some schools made parades with their classes. Each class usually picks up a theme and all kids are dressed up according to the theme, while others just go free. 

My kid's class theme was animals, and they have made their costumes too, but they didn't make it to their school parade because they are so young and two of the carers are away. I was sad when I knew about it, but at least they got to wear they costumes in school and play around. 

I am not one of the biggest Carnival lovers on earth, but I enjoy it too, so in celebration of the season, I have prepared a few posts for this week, according to the theme. I will be sharing how it was for my daughter is school last friday, I will share a couple refashioned costumes tutorials, I will reveal the costume I made G. this year and will also show you some of the past costumes I've made. 

I hope you all follow me in this mini-series of mine and enjoy the fun that Carnival is supposed to bring! 

Sewing Challenges (& Sort of Wrap up)

New exciting things are on the way...

Operation Project $0 is on. Check it out HERE. I guest posted for the series too... YEY! Missed it? Go here!

Season 8 of Project Run & Play kicks off tomorrow! So excited to see what everyone come up with. The themes for the 4 weeks of challenge are: Pattern Remix - Candy - Plaid - and - Signature look. I have already done my Pattern Remix outfit, and will be blogging about it in just a few days. I'm still not sure about the second week, but I will join the other two for sure. 

Maratón Telaria - this is sort of a spanish version of PR&P, and I am in to sew along with. There are also 4 weeks, and the themes for this are: Retro - Knits - Bed Time- and - our choice. Starts next month, so I'm excited for this too. 

I might or might not join this one if I can get to sew it mixed up with another of the challenges. This is a challenge hosted by the Spanish blog La Pantigana. And we're supposed to use a really horrible fabric that we might have in our stash, and make something good out of it. Sounds fun and it's a great insentive to use that fabric that we always put back because it isn't just good enough. 

Click on picture!

Another fun series to follow - did you realise I'll be guest posting for this series too?!

Besides, I have a lot to do. My list is big, but I love it! I love to feel challenged, I love that I feel like I belong somewhere... In a near future I am: 

- Testing a pattern

- Reviewing another pattern

- Being part of a Pattern tour

- Doing a guest post for a bloggy friend

- Realising my first FREE pattern

And guess what? I am even considering a winter edition for a Refashion Month series. Is anyone in for this? 

Mmmm... It's been a while since I last blogged about my challenges. I am excited about the next couple of months. It's going to be pretty crazy around here, well, it has actually started already, but it's going to get extra busy since I can't turn down a good challenge. 

It's been a sewing challenging year. It did calm down for Summer though, but I needed to feel motivated and came up with the self Pinterest challenge. AH! I made that post and then never talked about it. The truth is that I didn't keep up with the weekly pin done. Buhhhh!!! But in my defense I have to say that I crossed most of those pins out of my to do list. 

Ever since, I did make the piñata cake, by the end of July for my niece's 6th birthday party. She loved it and everyone thought it was a great birthday cake. I didn't follow any tutorial, I made a cake (two actually) with a recipe I had from a magazine and then decorated as wished. And here's how it turned out.

I did make a pair of Harem shorts for my daughter and most recently I made a pair for my little niece M. Before those two, I made another pair but that was considered a failure and although I've been planning to still blog about it, I haven't done it yet. 

I didn't do the lollipops, I wanted to make them as party favours on my daughter's birthday (late June), but I didn't, so I don't think I will do that anymore. I did print the pattern for the potty training pants, but when I realised my baby was potty trained and those weren't needed anymore. It only took me a month for the whole process. 

And I didn't do the mat exactly, like the one on the pin I showed you, but I did the little pillows and we've used them on tree trunks. It looked so cute. Those were also for my daughter's 2nd birthday. The theme was ladybugs, I have mentioned that when I showed you her outfit for the party. 

That's it for now, but I might be up for something else!!! ;)

|day 18| Refashion Month: my own!

When I thought about the refashion month thing last year, I wasn't refashioning as much as I have after that. I guess I've been refashioning for all my life; if you count on the clothes I would tear and remake as doll clothes, or the jeans I would just cut in my early teens to get myself some new shorts. But it wasn't really until last year that I looked at refashioning in a different way. After commiting to stop buying new clothes in September (through the end of the year), I decided in January I would try to shop my own closet as much as possible, of course, that means I had to refashion much more than before. 

Last year, my goal was to achieve one refashion for every week of July. And I succeed, made over the 4 projects. Even though they were pretty simple and easy. I believe the only good refashion I made last year was precisely the first one, check HERE for more photos. This year, I had plans to make at least 4 new pieces again. And though we still have a few days left, I'm really happy to say: I've made it again, and I'm pretty sure I might have something else by the end of the month. Have you seen my onesies refashions?

Anyway... I won't let you fall asleep, let's see some pictures. My most recent refashions (2) were made out of one pair of pants! 

Yes! I made it again. My most viewed post ever, has always been the pants to shorts tutorial, when I made a pair of shorts for me and one for my little miss out of a pair of pants mom gave me. Back then I only had to cut and sew a seam for my shorts, but this time I deconstructed the original pants and cut my short pieces out of it. With the remaining fabric I made a matching pair of shorts for baby G. like I did the first time.

I used a pattern I had tried before. I guess I have never blogged about them here, but I had used the pattern to make a pair of blue wool shorts for me a couple of years ago, for pictures check here. The original pants was much simplier, it closed at the side with an invisible zipper. For my new shorts I used a french Burda's Pattern from 2009, it had a few options and I have mixed two of them. 

Wanna check the other pieces: denin shorts here, blue romper here & black pleated shorts here. 

For G.'s shorts, I used my own pattern again. I've never used the same pattern as often as this one. Those are the 4th shorts I make out of it, and I am really satisfied at how different they can look using just a few little changes in the pattern. And the first thought was to make them exactly like mine, but then I got lazy did a few things differently. 

Picture above: details from mine 

For the back plackets from my own, I used flower shaped buttons, but even though I wanted to do the same with hers, I had no more flowerly red button, actually I am running out of cute red buttons. Even for the adajustable waist elastic on her pants I founf it hard to find a pair of buttons. I eventually did, and still they are slightly different in colour. I wasn't in the mood for shopping any supplies so, this will perfectly do.

Picture above: details from hers

I didn't used a zipper, or a button (don't you just love by button?! It was the first time I applied one of this ever) to close her shorts like I did in mine. I guess, it's easier this way. The shorts have enough room for her to grow and use them for at least two more years, so the adajustable waist was my perfect solution. 

Her shorts weren't planned! But since it is KIDS CLOTHES WEEK, and I had quite enough left from the pants, I thought Why not?!, and guess what? I loved our finished matching shorts! 

| I've been sewing along KCW, but because it's Refashion Month here, I will only write a wrap up of what I've been doing during the week, next sunday |

For our photoshoot, I paired them with refashioned tops (mine and hers) from last summer. Enjoy some of my favourite photos:

It was easier as we walked down the beach... half the way, I had a surprise for her, and sat down to fill two heart shaped ballons. =) 

It's not easy to get her quiet for photos, so I just appreciated the walk, we've played and dad kept taking lots of pictures. I had a hard time to decide which ones to cut off. 

And then it was time to come home!

Self Challenge for May

You know how I love a good challenge, don't you? So, when I looked to the pile of clothes I've been acumulating because they just need a little fixing I made my mind: I had to dedicate a whole month to mending those pieces. and I've started already. I will try to share as much as possible of those little fixing into my clothes... Did I mention I just  h a t e  mending?

It's going to be a good challenge for me!

Oh, and by the way... my Flower Fairy Dress was featured at Pam's Threading My Way! Thanks again, Pam!

KCW. Day 6 and the forgotten romper dress

I said I was done when I finished the only thing I did for the Kids Clothes Week. And I really thought I was , but it seems I just couldn't let it pass like that, when a thought came across my mind. All the way back to January, I started a new romper dress for my daughter, but then I went for the PR&P challenges, then there was Sew in Tune, the Pinterest Challenge, Sew-vivor, The Sew Off, Peques de Cine and April is ending and the romper dress was nowhere to be seen anymore. After I found it, I couldn't find the rest of the fabric - apparently I kept them separated! I spent 1h over midnight searching for it yesterday, because I really wanted to give it another try before the KCW was over. 

I'll try to do it today. Since January the only thing I did was sewing the pockets about two days ago. But later today I'll be off to spend the weekend over my parents.

Peques de Cine I

Have you noticed this button on my side bar?

Well, it is another fun sewalong from Maria's Loca por la Costura blog. I commited to sewalong too, but after all, I missed the deadline. It was two days ago, and I actually finished mine yesterday, but couldn't take any pictures, or pretty much do anything else.

My little girl got worst last monday...I think she's finally getting better, but still not quite fine. At least she ate something that didn't get thrown away... finally!

I'm planning to share my project though, as soon as she's recovered, so stay tunned!

Here's a peek...

source

One Project Fits Two (or three!)

Yep! When I made a commitment with myself about following as much sewing challenges as I could, I knew at some point, I could use turning one only project into two (or more who knows?!) challenges done. 

So, first challenge

Over at Project Run & Play, there's a new Pattern Remix Party going on until the 8th of March. As soon as I took the first glance at the Jess' Spring Fever Pattern  I knew exactly what I wanted to make for my daughter. Of course, I changed my original design as I started and went trhough with it. I spent all my little free moments from yesterday sewing this new outfit. 

To make it I used a blue cotton sheet, and a fat quarter polka doted cotton fabric, that I already had in my stash. As well as the buttons on the placket and the elastic on the waistband. I didn't lined it, I wanted to keep it pretty fresh(y) for Summer. I thought it would be a little too big right now, but I guess she has developed physically lately. I used the Sping Fever Dress pattern for the bodice, and I used the shorts pattern I drafted myself for the Sew in Tune outfit. 

I had some pockets planned for the shorts (front pockets on the sides) but can you believe I actually forgot to make and add them before I attached the waist band?! 

Anyway... I am kinda mad about a few things in this oufit that didn't go that well. I could have fixed them, I know I could have, but most of it my made last evening, it was about 1a.m. when I actually finished this and I was not in the mood to unpick seams and re-do it all over again, and still I did do that a few times, I kept messing up with such an easy thing as putting my shorts together. dahhhh!

Besides the pockets that I forgot about, I am unhappy with the picks on the back of the romper. On that rounded area, can you see them in the pictures? It makes a very badly finished look, but again, I wasn't really in the mood to unpick seams and guess what? It is wearable! 

The next thing that got me upset about it was the front placket, and that leads me to the...

Second challenge

Here, when I announced the 6 projects I have pinned and would try to do, there was listed as number 3, a very cute placket, right?! 

Well, that's actually the first thing I got done out of the six of them. The tutorial for my pin came from The Crafty Cupboard, but honestly, I only had a look at the images and guess-timated how to make it. Of course I messed up with measurements and it didn't turn out as pretty as it was supposed to. But, I tried it though, it was only the very first placket I made, I'm sure, I'll try it again later and hopefully they'll be better. 

As if wasn't things enough, today, when I tried to put it on her for the photoshoot, I realised I didn't leave space anywhere to actually put it on her. Luckily enough for me, the wide of the colloar plus the placket fully opened were enough to slide her little body in and squeezing arms I made it - luckily for me, she was very helpfull and didn't complain at all. It was way easier to take off though. 

So, because of that, I might still have to undo one of the side seams under arms and insert a zipper, just to make it more confortable to baby G. to put in on. 

One project:

Project Run & Play - checked

Pinterest Challenge - checked

Sew Your Stash Thin - checked

Thrift Shopping

picture origin

On the last Sunday of every month, there is a second hand market on a small village nearby. I use to go there because I love to find some little treasures. Sometimes I go there searching for a specific item, but most of the time I just go and look at all the beautiful things I (unexpectedly) find there. 

Last month I went searching for cheap knits to make baby G. her Carnival outfit - ooppppsss I still haven't bloged about that - and we were there again today. The two of us. 

Most of all I went searching for thrift clothing. I didn't care much of the sizes because I was mainly interested in getting some knits and some colours I needed. Those colours were emerald and mustard. I did find the green, and there was a shirt in yellow but not quite refashionable for me, so I passed. Sadly is not an easy colour to find there, maybe next month. 

 

What did I buy there?! Let's see... 

1 - An amazing short brown dress |2€| and it's an S... how lucky I was?! Still I think I might have to take a few inches on the sides to perfectly fit my slim figure

2 - This caught my eye because it was red... with polka dots! Yay, it made my day even before I discovered it was actually a corset! I l o v e corsets. It's an M, and I might have to re-do very boring seams but it is worth is. It looks almost new and it says me me me all over it! |2€|

3 - If there is something I love after polka dots, it has to be stripes. Me buying this shirt came after I seen the number 8 girl's shirt. I thought they were just a perfect match for me to create a mom and daughter look. I don't do that for far too long. |1€|

4 - I just loved this top and got it. |#4+#7+#8 = 1€|

5 - As I've already mentioned above, this shirt had the green I found. I first wanted it for a refashion, I loved the lace around the collar, and it's elastic, but it looks so beautiful as it is, that I might keep it like that or if maybe, just do a little upcycling on it. |1€|

6 - Dark blue shirt. It's an M but fits me well. Will keep it as it is. I found out I'm trying to find my own style (STILL!!! shame on me!) and I need a few basics to compose my dreamed looks (I swear I am trying!). |1€|

7 - A 8 year old sized skirt, absolutely to refashion into something for G.  |#4+#7+#8 = 1€|

8 - As said on number 3.  |#4+#7+#8 = 1€|

Total cost of my finds was 8€! 

Not bad, right?! 

Now let's hope I won't take too long to fix/refashion whatever I have to from this list, because I am not suposed to get any new stash into my thin, remember? I think I've been working quite well into it so far! Wish me luck! hehehe

New Challenges for me

I'm up for all the challenges I see lately. I don't care if I'm not competing for anything, I'm just enjoying sewing along every challenge I come across lately. 

I have finished the Sew in Tune outfit last night, I still have to get some nice shoots of it before I can share. I am considering auditioning for SewVivor and just a few minutes ago I came across this Pinterest Challenge over at Merrick's Art. 

What is it about? Taking 6 of your pins on Pinterest and make them through the next 6 weeks. Let's stop pinning and just stare at the inspiring images; let's actually make them! I take the challenge, but I admit it was a little hard for me to choose the 6 projects I would accomplish (or try to, at least!). Eventually I made my choice, here they are:

1 - A Father's day activity to make with baby G. 

2 - A new cell phone cover for V. - he's been asking for ages!

3 - Chocolate cookies

4 - Cell phone holder

5 - A placket!I've been wanting to add one to my sewing project for a while now. 

and 6. Copy this Robin Scherbatsky (How I met Your Mother, right?!) look... I only need to get the dress. 

Will I make it? Will I not? Stay around to find out!

So, what's next?!

So, the sew along for Project Run & Play is over now. 

I still can't believe I made it! I did follow and sew along the six themes. Six outfits in six weeks. I am proud of myself. I am so proud, so happy that I made it, I did not give up, I did not left any item unfinished! 

Yes! I did it and I like it. 

Did you miss any of the entries? Don't worry, here's a short summary of what I made here:

The Party Dress Remix

Stripes and Polka Dots

 Boy's Week
And remember, there's a Tutorial for this outfit here!

Love is in the Air

The Men's Dress Shirt Challenge

Your Signature Look

So, what's next?!

 Time for Sew In Tune. I have chosen my song, I have design my outfit, so I better start sewing, I don't want to be late. It starts off next Monday! 

Sew Your Stash Thin 2013

One of my resolutions for 2013 is to stop buying fabric I don't really need, and get my hands on the one I already have, since I have been buying and stashing for a few years already. I've moved a few times and it's always been pretty nasty to carry boxes and boxes of un-ending fabric. 

Anyway, this resolution, comes from 2012 too. I did work trough my stash, I did try not to buy anything else, but in the end, I did buy a few. I bought things I really needed and used right away, but I also bought things that are still waiting for the right project. 

When I saw THIS challenge, I knew I had to be in, and work harder on my resolution this time around.

Most of my stash comes from previous years, when I sewed a lot of clothes for gothic fashion shows, so I have a few velvet, satins, leather in my collection. 

Some other fabrics, came from a project I made part a while ago; the deal was: I'd sew, the other part would buy the materials. Well, it only lasted for a while and though I tried countless times to return what wasn't mine, the person acted like she didn't care that much. So, after about two years, I said enough, I will start using this fabric, so it won't take the place of other things in my house. 

Then I have all the other fabric... too much fabric, I'd say. I should measure all those pieces to follow the rules, but I confess I am too lazy to go through all that. I just share the pictures from the before, and hopefully but the end of the year I'll have a very short pile of fabric to take only single picture to (yeah, dream on, it's free!). 

These are smaller pieces and scraps. It's the most messy spots. It's three shelves from a cabinet: the first one holds lots of Burda's and other pattern magazines); the next two are over loaded with fabrics. I really need to organize them again. 

These are much bigger piles of fabric, and most organized too. 

And of course, another pile that must go. All the clothes I've been saving to refashion into something else. 

How good will it be? Only time to see!

But wish me luck, I'll try to do my very best. 

and don't forget to keep checking my projects for the Project Run & Play sew along.

Commitments #2

Back in September I made a commitment to myself in this blog. 

Back then I said I would stop buying so many clothes for me or baby G. I made it public so I could keep up with it, even though I knew no one would come and tell me when I'd not follow my own decision. 

So, it's January now, the last year's over and so is my commitment. 

Did I buy anything? Did I keep up with it?

I think it went well. I can't say I didn't buy anything, I did, but I bought only the exceptions, as I said I would. If we really needed it!

1. A pair of winter boots for myself - but wait! shoes aren't clothes, right?

2. Two winter pajamas for baby G. 

3. A dress for the next year's winter for baby G. - and I only bought it because it was 50% off and really cheap. I bought it for next year instead of this because, she really didn't need it. 

What good come out of this? I saved! I saved a lot, of course. But I also learned to think twice, before I buy any items. I always stop to think: Do I really need it? Is it worth what I'll be paying? And usually I end up not buying a thing. And not only about the clothes, it happens with anything else I buy.

And today, I am making a new commitment to myself: Shopping my own clothes. Do you know the feeling? You have your wardrobe full of clothes and still, you find yourself complaining you have absolutely nothing to wear?! That happens a lot in here. So, all I need is to actually do something out of this clothes instead of just complaining about them, and setting them aside. 

Of course, I will be showing a lot of refashions (I hope). But for now, I have started a new dress for my baby G. I've made the pattern, and I have cut a few pieces already. I hope it won't take me too long to finish, she's been asking for too much attention, and of course, she's first thing on my list. 

From Consume Tendencies

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It hit me just a few seconds ago, so before I change my mind, I'm about to make a new commitment to myself, and I am making it public so I keep up with it. 

A get a lot of clothes FOR FREE, some I like, some I don't... some I donate and some I get to turn into something new when the fabric is lovely. 

SO, why on earth, do I have the need to buy any new clothes?! Seriously, there's a shopping center right by my house, and every now and then I go there with baby G. I always bring something home with me... either for myself or for her. 

And I'm saying enough now. With my sewing skills and my free clothes I have enough to get myself new clothes at any time. 

My commitment consists in buying NO more clothes (for me or G.) until the end of the year. I'll only make an exception if the item is really needed and not only wanted.