I’m so proud that I can answer the question “Who made my clothes?” with “I DID!!” Having total control over my wardrobe is a dream come true, and the effort I put into every seam has changed the way I think about clothes.
My sewing journey started as a way to grow my wardrobe with as many bright and sparkly clothes as possible. Recently, however, I find myself gravitating towards more basics: I wore the same two pairs of RTW jeans all winter. I started towards a more cohesive, wearable closet by getting rid of anything I hadn’t worn recently or seemed too worn out. There were a couple silk and linen tops, as well as some cute party dresses with of wear left, so I took everything to a place that gives cash or trade value for used clothing. Most used clothing ends up in a landfill, so someone placing value on used clothes gives me some piece of mind that it will get worn again.
I was disappointed to find that they didn’t value natural fibers or quality construction, but instead chose pieces from fast fashion brands that I now stay away from. This seemed like a pattern throughout the store, as I mostly saw popular, cheap brands. I don’t want this to be about placing the blame on a store that truly does do a lot of good for communities and the environment. Instead, I choose to be more conscious about not only where my textiles come from, but also how long they last and where they go. I’m excited to contribute in my small way to more conscious consumption of fashion, and by continuing to learn about the entire cycle of garment production, recycling, and disposal we can continue to improve.
After donating most of my cotton skirts, I whipped up this simple (but so versatile!) Hollyburn skirt by Sewaholic patterns. It’s sewn in a herringbone weave chambray by Robert Kaufman that I had been saving to make a man’s shirt. I think it works really well as a floaty alternative to leg prisons jeans and matches with absolutely anything. The color is a little dull in person and the style is simple, but while this may not be my most interesting make, I’m sure it will get a lot of wear.
I’ve made this pattern many times for myself and my mom, and each time I plan on switching the waistband to a curved one, and each time I forget. The waistband is folded and is pulling away in these photos; I’ve found a curved waistband sits really smoothly on my waist. All the seams are flat-felled for durability, and I like the look of topstitching on this fabric. The top is the Gable top by Jennifer Lauren, and it’s such a fun take on a graphic tee — I’ve been wearing this all winter with no plans to stop!
Thanks to Menaka for the photos!
Kausalya Mahadevan 