Now repeating...

As it turns out, you don't pack well when you're in a hurry.  I should have done it the night before but was tired and couldn't be bothered.   I had been at work all day then stopped for a few groceries on the way home, fitted in the photoshoot, packed then ate dinner, packed the car and left at 7.30pm.  Three and a half hours later we arrived at our beach house, unpacked and went to bed.  Phew!  It's making me tired just thinking about it.  All the time we were away I'm like... what the...?  Nothing matched!!  Not surprising, having not put any thought into it.  I had thought to bring hand stitched things but I didn't pack enough of them.  So when we got to Day 19 there was no choice but to wear RTW garments.

What I wore:
Sweater: Purple, worn day 15
Dress:  Maxi
Shoes: Havana Thongs

Thoughts:
Even though I like what I wore, I definitely need to put more thought into my packing.  I could have worn the scarf from day 15 with the maxi dress but it was too warm at 30C for that.

Day 20

What I wore:
Sweater:  New Balance, taken off for the photo
Top:  Handmade, worn previously
Jeans: Target
Shoes: Nike

Thoughts:
None really.  After our 30C day yesterday, today was only 17C, much colder even though the sun came out later in the day.

Day 21

What I wore:
Sweater: Suzanne Grae
Top:  Handmade, worn previously
Pants: Katies
Jewellery:  Equip & Diva
Shoes: Williams the Shoeman

Thoughts:
This was the first time I've worn this top to work and I really liked this outfit. (not that you can see all of it in this photo)  All black with the red top.  My favourite so far.  Just in case you are wondering why I'm eating my dinner, today's photo challenge on the Flickr group was  to be eating/drinking. 

Day 22

What I wore:
Top:  Handmade, worn several times
Skirt:  Katies
Jewellery:  Diva, Equip
Shoes: Spendless

Thoughts:   
Wooaahh!  Put on your shades!  Those white legs are blinding. It was warm today and I decided not to wear tights to work but I think some kind of leg covering would have been better with the dark colours of the skirt and top.

Day 23
 

What I wore:
Top:  Handmade, worn several times
Vest:  Suzanne Grae
Jeans:  Sussan
Boots: Kmart

Thoughts:  
This outfit works well for a nice Spring day.  The top is the same pattern as yesterday's.  It's one that I really like and will definitely make several more.

I'm surprised that I've made it this far.  How 'bout you?

Re-capping the last few days...

Not much happening on the sewing front at the moment.  As I have said previously it's a busy month for me.  Right now we are spending a few days at our beach house.  With the weather starting to warm up it's been lovely but the wind is still very cold at times.

Day 14

What I wore:
Sweater: Suzanne Grae
Top:  Handmade, blogged here, worn to work

Pants: Suzanne Grae
Shoes: Wittner

Thoughts:
The challenge today was to take our photo with water.  Mine was the barrel in our backyard in which we were going to plant a water lily but haven't done so yet.  I like the combination of this outfit.  It works well for me as work attire.  However I've never really been happy with the fit of this top.  After a few wearings I've now figured out why.  The pattern calls for shoulder pads which I haven't used.  I left them behind in the '80's and don't really want to revisit them.  I do however need to work out how to adjust the pattern for a better fit without them.

Day 15

What I wore:
Sweater: Can't remember, I've had it for many years
Top:  Suzanne Grae
Scarf:  Handmade
Pants: Kmart
Shoes: Williams the Shoeman

Thoughts:
RTW pants never fit me well.  Having never made pants, I really need to try my hand at making pants/trousers/jeans.  Any or all of them.  I do love the colour combination in the scarf, it works so well with the colours I wear the most.  Blue and purple.

Day 16

What I wore:
Coat: Target
Top:  Handmade, seen previously
Jeans: Target
Shoes: Nike

Thoughts:
Admiring the view of the beach from the hill. Still not sure about the colour of this top on me but I love this shade of red. 

Day 17

What I wore:
Sweater: Temt
Top:  Handmade, Kwik Sew 3338
Jeans: Target
Shoes: Nike

Thoughts:
Having a picnic lunch in the gardens near our beach house with our youngest daughter.   It was warm enough to take off my cardigan just after this photo was taken.  This is a long short sleeve (elbow length) version of this top and is perfect for casual wear.

Day 18

What I wore:
Sweater: Target, purchased last week
Top:  Handmade, worn previously
Jeans: Sussan
Shoes: Nike

Thoughts:
I love this top.  It's turning out to be very versatile.  Worn casually out to the beach to watch David and Jacqui fishing.  I'm not into fishing, but love the beach.

With the changing seasons I'm finding it hard now as I'm repeating everything I have worn before.  I still haven't got enough to wear for these challenges to make it varied and interesting and not boring but am finding where the gaps are in my wardrobe.  How about you?
 

So far , so good

Re-capping what I have worn this week.  So, far it's been relatively easy to find self stitched items to wear but as the weather seems to be warming up rather quickly it's getting more difficult.   I've found that I don't have anything either self stitched or RTW for those mid season days.  You know the sort.  The ones where it's too warm for a jacket but not warm enough for short or sleeveless styles.   I have so many things I want to sew but they are for Summer wearing.  I may have to re-think my needs and fill some of the gaps I have discovered in my wardrobe.

Now, onto my daily outfits.

Day 9

What I wore:
Coat:  Target, purchased a couple of years ago
Top: Handmade, blogged here 
Jeans: Sussan
Boots: Target

Thoughts:
Worn out shopping, to lunch and a movie with my daughter.  The wind was quite bitter today and this top is made in very thin (really thin) fabric. None-the-less this is a fabulous top which will be made in many versions several more times.  I already have a couple of ideas for Summer wearing.

Day 10 

 
What I wore:
Sweater: Handmade, not blogged
Top:  Suzanne Grae, not seen
Jeans: Target
Shoes: Nike

Thoughts:
We had another cold snap here today so I took the opportunity to wear this sweater while I had a chance.  I had many issues with the pattern and fit while making it and thought it would be next Winter before I got to wear it.  It was lovely and warm to wear but I fear that it may stretch when it's washed.

Day 11

What I wore:
Sweater: Suzanne Grae
Top: Suzanne Grae
Pants: Suzanne Grae
Scarf: Collette Accessories
Shoes: Wittner
 
Thoughts:
Nup!!!  Not a single self-stitched thing.  Nup, nary a one!  This was worn out for lunch to celebrate my son in-law's birthday.  When dressing I found that I really didn't have any suitable handmade things to wear.  A dress would have been nice but I don't have one suitable to wear to a brewery.

Day 12 

What I wore:
Sweater: Postie Fashions
Top: Handmade, seen previously
Jeans: Target
Shoes: Nike
 

Thoughts:
A day at home doing chores and sewing.  I thought when I made this top that it wouldn't get much wear 'cos of the fabric used but I was wrong, I've worn it quite a bit.  Note to self - don't be lazy and always do hair properly as the frizzy look isn't that great.

Day 13
 

What I wore:
Sweater: Track n Field
Top: Handmade, seen previously
Cami: Kmart
Jeans: Target, yep! same as yesterday.
Shoes: Nike
 

Thoughts:
Worn to run errands and attend appointments.  As much as I like this hoodie the colour does nothing for me.  Can't imagine what possessed me to buy it in the first place but I do wear it a lot.  I was going to toss it but, having second thoughts, I think maybe it's headed for a dye bath.


So, that's how I've fared this week.  How about you?

SSS '11 continues

I'm feeling as though I'm fairing better this time 'round.  I've managed to get through 8 days so far with no repeats and I haven't struggled to find something handmade to wear yet although, I'm nearing the end of my self stitched clothing now.   I do have things lined up for stitching but not sure how that will go as this month is very busy for me. (3 birthdays, fathers day, several appointments, 4 day weekend away, you know how tis. No time for sewing!) The photos continue to be a bit of a chore for David but he's still taking them for me, so I guess that's good.
Now, to re-cap my days outfits.

Day 5

What I wore:
Top: Handmade blogged here  worn cleaning up after a busy weekend
Jeans: Target
Shoes: Nike

Thoughts:
I like this top but the fabric was not a good choice.  It doesn't have as much stretch as other knits and it marks easily which requires some hand laundering.  Something I'm not into!  I'm about to sew another one in a better fabric.

Day 6

What I wore:
Sweater: Kmart, purchased several years ago
Top: Suzanne Grae
Skirt: Handmade blogged here  worn at home doing housework and cooking
Bangles: Lovisa
Tights: Bonds
Slippers: Cotton On

Thoughts:
Having a day where I didn't care how I looked since I was at home all day.  We've been getting some really nice Spring weather but it turned really cold again today.  This skirt is warm enough for the cold days but I think I should have lined it as it tends to cling to my tights. I've lost a little weight since making it so doesn't fit as well as I would like.  I'm considering whether to alter it and maybe adding a lining.

Day 7

What I wore:
Jacket: Katies, purchased early Winter this year
Top: Suzanne Grae
Skirt: Handmade blogged here worn at work
Belt: Sussan
Jewellery: Lovisa, Diva
Tights: Bonds
Boots: Williams the Shoeman

Thoughts:
Joining in the fun having my photo taken at work sitting at my desk as suggested by Claudine.  I think my colleague thought I was mad asking her to take the pic of me but she obliged anyway.  I love this pencil skirt but find getting in and out of the car awkward especially if I'm the driver.

Day 8

 
What I wore:
Cardigan: Target, purchased last year
Top: Handmade, Kwik Sew 3617 worn to work
Pants: Noni B
Shoes: Williams the Shoeman

Thoughts:
I 'm really liking this top.  I've worn it several times since making it and think I will make a short sleeve version for Summer.  I definitely need a navy cardy to wear over this instead of the black one.  (Actually, I could use several garments in navy)  I'm really not liking the black with it but that may be because I've got light coloured pants on (too much colour happening I think).  The pants however, really don't fit so well.  Think I'll have to work on making some that fit.

So, that's the last few days for me.  How 'bout you, how are you fairing?

A season of colour!!!

I love colour!!  It makes me happy!  I feel alive when I wear colour!

There comes a time when we all have to make choices.  For me, that time has come.  I've decided that this will be the 'Season of Colour' for me.  Everything I make for the Spring will be colour.  No black, no grey, just colour! 

A while ago, if you remember, I told you I was getting extremely bored wearing black, grey or some other neutral.  In the colder months I think they're sad colours, don't you agree?  Now don't get me wrong here, I think there is a place for these colours in every wardrobe, after all they can look very classy, and I will continue to wear them but my closet was looking as though I didn't own anything else.  Just have a look at all the inspirational colours on the runways.  It's the ideal time to make this choice.

Since telling you this, and the impending arrival of Spring there has been an increasing amount of fabrics to choose from, so I have been purchasing fabric in just about every colour I can find that doesn't involve those, boring to me neutrals to add to my ever expanding stash.  The question is, should I be buying plain solid colours or prints?  Are you drawn to prints?  I certainly am.  I love them.  They appeal to my sense of fun!  Sadly, having all prints makes for a lot of clothes that really don't work together so well.  Thus forcing me to add plain colours to my stash.

Now that I've decided to add colour to my closet I've chosen red (a colour I wouldn't normally choose as it's so hard to find one I can wear)  for another basic top.  I've made this top several times and finally think I have perfected the fit.  I think I can now class it as a TNT pattern.  You can read my review here.

The pattern (which seems to be fast becoming my go to) - Simplicity 4076 with a few alterations.  I don't like the bell shaped sleeve suggested in the pattern so I used a more fitted one and made it 3/4 length.  Much more suited to Spring wearing than long sleeves.  I added about 5cm or 2" for those of you who are not into the metric thing yet, to the length.  I'm not tall by any stretch of the imagination but I really detest tops that ride up around my waist with the slightest movement which happens anyway because my hips are so much bigger than my waist.  But hey... it works for me.  What do you think...

The challenge begins...

September has arrived and with it a new challenge!   A whole MONTH of wearing self stitched clothing.  For those of you who haven't heard refashion extraordinaire blogger - Zoe is the instigator and she challenges sewists around the world to wear our own handmade creations for a whole month.  We can share our daily outfits on our blogs, Flickr, there's even a  Facebook page... or not!  It's up to us.

Before taking the SSS '11 pledge I thought long and hard (well, maybe not too hard) about it as I don't have a large amount of handmade clothing but the sense of community it generates is great!  Here's my pledge:

I, Shelly of Shelly's D.I.Y. Style! , sign up as a participant of Self-Stitched-Sept '11. I endeavour to wear at least one self made item each day for the duration of September 2011.

Having taken the pledge in June you will have seen most of my self-stitched clothing before and I don't want to bore you all again with the same things so I thought I would only post every few days with my daily outfits.

Day 1

What I wore:
Dress: Handmade blogged here  worn to work. 
Bangles: Diva
Tights: Bonds
Boots: Williams the Shoeman

Thoughts:
This a a fabulously comfortable dress to wear but the fabric is not warm enough for winter wearing.  It's the first day of Spring and we had a nice warm day, windy but warm.  For warmer days it needs shorter sleeves (I've pushed them up here)


Day 2

What I wore:
Dress: Handmade a couple of years ago,  blogged here worn out shopping.
Top: Suzanne Grae
Tan belt: A little dress shop, can't remember the name
Tights: Bonds
Boots: Target

Thoughts:
Another comfy dress but outfit lacking in colour.  I think this would be great made up as a top to wear over jeans.


Day 3

What I wore:
Top:  Handmade, Simplicity 4076 not blogged, worn out shopping. 
Coral singlet top: Just Jeans
Tan belt: Tempt, not seen but required to keep jeans up.
Jeans: Sussan, purchased too long ago to remember
Bangles: Diva
Shoes: Nike


Day 4

What I wore:
Top:  Handmade, Simplicity 4076 not yet blogged, worn for Father's Day bbq. 
Cardigan: Tempt, purchased last year
Tan belt: Tempt, not seen but required to keep jeans up
Jeans: Sussan, purchased too long ago to remember
Boots: Kmart


Thoughts:
I love this top.  Same style as yesterday with a different sleeve.   It's a great basic and a perfected TNT pattern.