For some inexplicable reason, I signed up to refrain from purchasing any ready-to-wear (RTW) clothes in 2018. The blog GoodbyeValentino.com, by Sarah Gunn, co-author of The Tunic Bible (have it/love it), is sponsoring this event and the rules are pretty strict: I vow not to purchase any RTW clothing in 2018. That’s it. I am allowed to wear what’s already in my closet, and I can purchase undies, shoes, and bags, but otherwise…No new jeans, tops, skirts, dresses, shorts, jammies, swimsuits, etc. That’s a pretty tall order but I’m doing this for a couple of reasons: 1. Clean out my fabric stash and; 2. It will force me to improve my garment sewing skills. There are over 1,000 participants in this year’s #2018rtwfast and there will be drawings and contests with some pretty snazzy prizes throughout the year. I’m looking forward to it. I already whipped up a jammie top on New Year’s Day in a darling little Riley Blake knit I got from Mood Fabrics – sorry, no photo because I left it at the coast.
I joined the Vogue pattern club (annual fee of $9.99) and purchased four new patterns that are on sale for $5.99 but I got them for the club price of $4.79 each. Now that Hancock Fabrics has closed and the nearest JoAnn’s is in another county, I’ll be doing most of my pattern shopping online. It seems lately I do all my shopping online from fabric (fashion and quilting) to notions. Heck, I’m even ordering groceries with my phone and doing curbside pickup. Probably not a bad idea with flu season in full swing. Here’s what I ordered.
Vogue 9057 – Shaped Hemline Top by Marci Tilton
Vogue 9267 – Fit and Flare Dress with Waistband and Pockets
I think this dress will be perfect for work! I love the neckline, the princess bodice, and the skirt pleats. I love every bit of this dress. I’ll probably hack the pattern many times throughout the year to customize it by modifying the neckline, sleeve length, waist position, etc. My work peeps who might be reading – get ready to get sick of seeing this dress.
Vogue 9265 – Princess Seam Flare Dress with Poof Sleeves
I have the 2018 Texas State Daughter’s of the American Revolution conference coming up in the beginning of March and I’ve got two evenings where I need to wear a formal. I have one already hanging in my closet and this pattern will be perfect for the other. Poofy sleeves are in apparently which is just fine with me now that I’m getting “grandma arms”. I’m not sure what to do for fabric.
Now, I’m no clothes horse and I don’t believe I’ve done any serious designer shopping in a couple of decades but I do drop $300-500 a year in places like Roz & Ali (formerly Dress Barn) for work clothes or Tractor Supply for my jeans – hey don’t judge – I’ve got cows! In fact, jeans will be my biggest challenge this year. I have Angela Wolff’s pattern but I’m terrified to try it. I also have Kenneth King’s class on Craftsy. Come to think of it, I shop pretty heavily in Sisters, a darling ladies shop in Port O’Connor that carries the cutest stuff and I buy a lot of my clothes for work there. It will be SO hard to step away from the racks and stick to knickknacks and Yellow Box. I’m just now beginning to realize the money I’m going to save. $$$$
This challenge will also make me get my dress form into working order. So I’m all set! Here we go!