easy, breezy & beautiful – it is time for a summer wardrobe infusion
For the past fifteen and a half weeks, I’ve been living out of a suitcase I packed in the middle of December.
We’ve been getting up into the 70s and high 60s pretty reliably the past couple days – beautiful! And luckily I packed this suitcase for Northern California weather (basically a NYC spring wardrobe).
But! we’re meandering towards summer weather, and I don’t think there’s any sort of suitcase wardrobe that could (gracefully) deal with both NYC winter, and NYC summer.
And so, I think it is high time for a summer wardrobe infusion.
What I want to make…
: a couple black tank tops
: a couple black camisoles
: a couple long, loose, lightweight over-shirts
: pj bottoms
: a couple maxi sundresses
: that no-longer neglected, lace weight sweater
(and by “a couple” I mean one or two)
Tank Tops & Camisoles
I live in them. I think they’re pretty self explanatory? (if not, tell me). I self-drafted a pattern at the beginning of my self-made wardrobe project, and have been wearing that pattern ever since.
I just need to pick up some jersey, and find my self-drafted pattern (or draft a new one). If I have to draft a new pattern, it would be sad, but not the end of the world.
Long, loose, lightweight, over-shirts
When I was packing my suitcase capsule wardrobe. I threw in a lightweight, semi-sheer, long & loose black t-shirt. I didn’t really think about it at the time, and wasn’t expecting to wear it all that much, it was just a “nice option to have.”
I’ve worn that damn shirt more times then I care to count. It’s easy & breezy and looks good with everything – so I think it might be time to give this piece of my wardrobe some companions.
I’m pretty open to the exact form (color, pattern, style) that these shirts could take, but I know I want them to be versatile, comfortable, light, go-to pieces.
PJ bottoms
Quick & easy shorts (probably in black).
A couple new maxi sundresses
I have one maxi, summer, sundress that I live in every, single summer. (One of the perks of spending this winter on the west coast is I could wear this dress all winter long too.) It’s lovely and cooling and always looks good, and I want more of them.
I’m thinking one in a solid color (not black) or a subdued print.
And for the other, I’m thinking the pink/yellow/white/brown plaid I picked up in SF. It’s bright, and loud, and I was originally thinking another Archer button up shirt, but it’s a light cotton gauze that (with a full lining) would make a lovely summer dress.
Pattern wise, I’m really hoping to not draft my own patterns for these dresses. I don’t really have the time, or the desire, to draft a whole personal dress pattern (or two) right now. So, I’m searching for the perfect maxi dress patterns.
Fingers crossed.
That no-longer neglected, lace weight sweater.
I sat down last night and finished the first sleeve! So there’s half a chance I’ll finish it before the weather starts wandering in the direction of 90 degree days.
How I want this to happen…
The name of this wardrobe infusion is easy, breezy, and beautiful (covergirl).
So I want those qualities infused in the pieces themselves, and also in how I make them.
I want to make them with intention and focus, but I don’t want to over-think or over-analyze them.
Easy, breezy, beautiful making.
Easy, breezy, beautiful pieces.
Easy, breezy, beautiful wearing.
Yes please!!
looking forward to photos, graphics, and a wardrobe infusion
Each Wednesday, I take stock of the projects I’m working on, and where my brain is at.
There are a lot of swatches currently sitting on my desk. I’m not quite sure if their quantity is more impressive stacked up or spread across the entirety of two bookshelves – but impressive either way.
The words for the Shawl Geometry books update are written. Writing that feels a little bit terrifyingly final, and yet, it is true. Now it’s on to taking a ton of photos and making a ton of graphics, before delving into an editing palooza.
Outside NYC is finally fully embracing sprint, and I’ve begin mulling over a wardrobe infusion – because I doubt that the suitcase I packed in December will be able to take me through an NYC summer with any grace.
steam blocked swatches, dark theaters, and storage units
Each Wednesday, I take stock of the projects I’m working on, and where my brain is at.
While I spent an unexpectedly large amount of time this week working in a dark theater, I did manage to take an afternoon to dig out the original round of Shawl Geometry swatches. Naturally they were in a box at the very back of my storage unit, but I found them just the same.
One of the things I’m adding into the update of the Shawl Geometry Books, is information on how blocking effects the shape of your shawl.
My personally preferred method of blocking my shawls would put a medieval torturer to shame. But before I stretch these particular swatches on the rack, I steam blocked them all, so I could photograph and write about how steam blocking and wet blocking influence the shaping.
(side note: how the heck have I only written about blocking here, and here before?!)
On the writing words front – all of the knitting instructions are finally written. I have more techniques and explanations to write, (and tons more editing…) but all of the cast on -> bind off words are written. Whew.
This week, my hope is to re-swatch a couple swatches that ended up far out of proportion to all the others, photograph this round of swatches, and maybe possibly if the stars align, compile the first draft.
(And maybe also put in an evening or two on my neglected sweater, but that might be pushing it…)
