to joining the “Ready to Wear (RTW) Fast” created by Sarah of “Goodbye Valentino”!
In 2015, I will (as Sarah proposes) “refrain from buying ALL clothes including outerwear, dresses, tops, pants, shorts, sweaters, coats, fitness apparel, jeans and bathing suits.” (Shoes, socks and under garments are permitted! Whew!)
How do you like THAT New Year’s resolution! 🙂
I am joining a large group of sewists sharing this goal. Check it out on Sarah’s post.
And you ask… WHY???
Well… I love to sew! For years, so many I can’t even count, when I needed a garment I would wander in and out of one store after another, rarely finding anything I loved that I couldn’t have sewn up for myself, sometimes for less money and/or maybe even better! That was always the guideline for my purchases – can I make this myself for less money and/or maybe even better?
I saw Sarah’s “RTW Fast” last year, a few months into the year, and I thought it would be a fabulous thing to try. I followed her group unofficially and realized that I could survive without spending, so I made the pledge to myself right then to make my own garments and not buy them. Did I make it through 2014? Well I must confess… I did break down once.
On a short quick road trip to visit my parents last year I HAD to make a detour to buy clothes. I have the habit of DESPERATELY NEEDING COFFEE while driving. So off I went down the road with my large Timmy’s Latte. Almost there, the sudden change of a light required me to hit the brakes a tad forcefully, while holding my cup. I did stop safely, but ended up with a hoodie and yoga pants covered with the sugary mess that is a Timmy’s Latte.
So I pulled into a … let’s say, “large box store” and bought myself a hoodie and yoga pants and changed right away, putting myself back on the road (with NO more coffee) in minutes.
That was my only garment purchase last year. I still have the hoodie but the yoga pants kind of pulled to one side after I put them through the wash… they ended up at a charity store.
So… moral of the story? Don’t drink coffee and drive… no, that’s not it!
MORAL: This year I am committed to Sarah’s “RTW Fast”. Wish me luck! I wish all my other “RTW Fasters” a whole passel of luck and, more importantly, LOTS of sewing time!
Happy Sewing!
That sounds like a great challenge! I might have to do the same 🙂 I pretty much do it anyway, because handmade fits waayyy better.
I always think, when looking in the stores, can I make this better (like the colour, style, or fit) for less money? I usually end up talking myself out of purchasing anything!
Ooh I like this!
Looks like a lot of sewists have taken up the challenge! Sheesh! There will be NO ONE in the RTW shops!! 😉
I wish you the best! I love to sew also. 🙂 I only bought one pair of pants last year. I rarely see anything that I like. It’s the right color, but a style that I would never wear. Or, it’s the proper style, but a dull muted color that I won’t wear.
I’ve sort of done this already, not purchasing RTW items, but I just occasionally put myself in the sewing equation. I sew a lot, but it’s mainly for my daughter or doing costumes for some group. Towards the end of last year, I promised myself I’d start putting myself back into the equation… and I have! Over the past three months, I’ve made myself two outfits and I’m working on a knit dress over my three-day weekend.
Good for you officially joining in! I am quite fussy with RTW too. With me it is usually not finding something that I like that fits well too! I just give up on RTW! Looking forward to seeing what you make for yourself!
Good luck for the fast! I fasted in 2014 and have a joined again for 2015. It makes you focus on making what you really need in your wardrobe.
Yes, I was just thinking about what I need this morning and since sometimes I am short on sewing time, I am going to have to be really organized about this! Good luck to you too this year!