The Mount Everest Project 10/12/12 to 10/12/13

Along with my new commitment to reduce my on-line and tech obsession time drain, I have seriously considered a New Challenge. I have been so disillusioned with RTW over the last few years that buying clothing is a frustrating event for me. Fit is poor, construction is ratty, fabrics are cheap and poor quality over all. I recently have been reviewing some catalogs from well known retailers. Some of the elements are lovely, on the page. But the prices! Egad! I am absolutely not going to pay these astronomical prices for marginal RTW.  

Where is this going you ask? Inspired by the new Mood Network contributors (some I already know, others not) I know I can do better....if I can carve out the time. Again, back to the time issue. This has been kicking around for a while but because I hate the fact that I have trouble with these commitments, I have been procrastinating.  This is a habit I have been honing for a couple years, this procrastination thing.  Actually it is relatively new to me, never participated before, but it has been a well used tool in my arsenal of excuses.   No more Lady Jane, we need to get this act together. Currently there are major holes in the wardrobe that need addressed.

1. Tops. Other than some really basic T's I am up a creek without a paddle. I like a long or 3/4 inch sleeve. I want simple but to jazz it up with nice fabric. I have a mountain of basic T's, worn to death, washed to threadbare, tea and/or coffee stains down the front from trying to drink and multitask. You may understand this. Today, my last decent T was assaulted by a delicious Asian Curry. Again, a multitask incident. I cannot talk and look up while in conversation at the same time. You got it, right on the girls, globs of little street noodles, just hanging out, leaving orange/rust like stains in the worst places. Because I had another stop to make, I pretended that it was an abstract design, I don't think that anyone bought it. 
2. Tops that are blouses. I love a nice fitting blouse, finding it is like looking for a lost diamond stud earring in an amusement park. Uh, huh. I have the patterns, I am still sourcing fabric. Working on it. Of course the whole fit thing with the small shoulders and one tipping down like it is broken, well, you can imagine that one. 
3. Skirts. I like a nice little skirt, perky, pencil thin, and butt hugging. On someone else. My skirt will be A-line or slightly flared at the hem, maybe at ballet length. My knees are like the humps of a camel. You don't flash those babies, people will talk. 
4. Trousers. Nice winter weight fabric, lined. Straight leg, sitting at the regular waistline. A perky little belt, maybe a front pleat or two (small pleats)  and pockets. Must have pockets.
5. Pants/Bottoms. Several pair in knit or fabric with 2 % Lycra for comfort. Flat front with elastic back waist. Comfort. 
6. Tops that are sweater/jumper knits. Yardage, not knitted up like real. I need these this year, not in 2020. 
7. Nightwear. All my winter wear looks like recycled car rags at this point. They really do. It is embarrassing.   If I have to be hauled off in an ambulance in the middle of the night, people are going to be afraid... or laughing uncontrollably. 

Shoes, no problem. We are pretty well covered there. Undies, also good. Coats, not too bad, but I am a coat lover, there may be something in the wind there.

these

So that's the explanation. Now the commitment. I am going to try (with honest effort) to not purchase any clothing (except bras, I just can't go there right now)  for 1 year.   This is a personal thing, I am not even sure I will post this because I will feel like failure if I can't go longer than a week or a month. I am narrowing the focus. It will be a real challenge because I have major fitting issues. As mentioned a few weeks ago, project #1 will be The One Seam Pant.

If I can handle the fit issues, and the time issues, and the procrastination habit, we are good to go. Since I have lots of stash fabric, I am going to always source there first. Wish me luck Sewist friends. With the Holidays careening before us, I need to get off my duff!

Gratuity Moment: Patterns, Fabrics, Machines and Thread ready to join me in the Challenge.

10/13/12:   the more I think about this more I like it. I took MIL shopping today in a chain store for something she needed. I did a quick look at the clothing.  C=cheap fabric, R=raw edges on exposed seams, in this case, are not a fashion statement, they are a mistake, A=ambivalent style or essentially no style, boxy, shapeless tops with no structure, P=pitiful. That's what I say, pitiful. I am energized and ready to go.

***I neglected to mention that patterns are excluded from this challenge. Now some think that a pattern stash is just as naughty as a fabric stash, but I do not. Patterns inspire and guide me. I am not a pattern maker, I fitz around just doing adjustments. So patterns are immune. Good thing, I just got two Marcy Tilton for Vogue patterns that have been sold out in my Joann's for several months, what's up with that?????
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April 13, 2013
Update: I have not buckled, not bought a thing. Spring/ Summer looms and new patterns have arrived, I need to sew and quit talking about it! But quilting is so much fun(((smile)))

May 1, 2013
 Big Sales at Macy's. Coldwater, Talbot etc. Plus I had special issue coupons, didn't use even one!!! Didn't sew anything either, but no purchases. It has been 5 1/2 months.