For the release of our new book, we’ve decided to interview a few of our reviewers to learn more about how they think about their sewing practice and wardrobes in light of the method presented in Dressed. Today, we’re talking to Magdalena, alias Triple L de Mag.
I think I have an unusual approach to sewing… I started as a knitter. But while I knit more for the process than for the finished garment, I definitely sew mainly for the final garment! I tend to prefer clothes in which I feel good and that often means patterns that are simple and quick to make, which works with my vision of sewing. But I tend to make these patterns a very large number of times… So I’m more thoughtful about patterns and impulsive for fabrics, and I end up with a lot of handmade garments. Certainly more than I really need…
I used to have a lot of fabric-related issues: I chose the wrong fabric for the pattern, or for the use I wanted out of the garment… For instance, making a cotton skirt for work even though I have a long drive to the office.
I’ve already felt uncomfortable wearing handmade clothes, when they were more “sophisticated” than what I usually wore: this was especially frustrating, as they not only took me a long time to sew, but I also got very little wear out of them! I also used to have a lot of fabric-related issues: I chose the wrong fabric for the pattern, or for the use I wanted out of the garment… For instance, making a cotton skirt for work even though I have a long drive to the office (or how to start your day having your outfit completely wrinkled!).
Reading Dressed, I learned a lot, and it enables me to question a few things. Colors and body shape, I had already thought about, even though that didn’t prevent me from reading these chapters with a lot of interest, since they are well detailed. But the chapters that have brought me the most are the ones on analyzing your lifestyle and selecting the right fabric. The first one allowed me to think about how I dress according to each context, and helped me realize I really have two separate wardrobes: what I wear on the days I work, and what I wear on the days I don’t. I also thought a lot about complete outfits, including shoes. The chapter on selecting the right fabric is also very rewarding. I learned a lot about different materials and their characteristics, and that will allow me to make fewer mistakes!
Thanks to the book, I tend to look more at the big picture when considering my handmade outfits. […] A new world is opening up to me and it’s a lot of fun!
Thanks to the book, I tend to look more at the big picture when considering my handmade outfits. Usually when I sew a blouse, I’ll picture a cardigan to wear it with. Or when I sew a skirt, I’ll imagine a top to match. The disadvantage is that this creates “rigid” outfits, where this blouse only goes with this skirt and that skirt with that blouse. Now, I picture all the cardigans that I can pair with a blouse, or all the different tops I can wear with a skirt. I think about mix and matching, a little like the collage at the beginning of the book. For the same outfit, I can also just change the pair of shoes to go from a work outfit to a “chilling at home” outfit, or to go straight from work to a PTA meeting. Or I can swap the bottom for a different context. It’s very interesting to think about all these aspects. A new world is opening up to me and it’s a lot of fun!
I like many of the patterns in the book, but I chose to make two bottoms that were compatible with the current temperatures 🙂 . As I said, I also knit a lot, so for the cold season I already have several sweaters. Sewing skirt or pants is what’s most useful to me. For the pants, I chose a fabric that looks good with many of my sweaters. For the skirt, I really wanted something floral. At first, I had planned to make a skirt that could go with at least two of my handmade sweaters, and I chose the fabric based on that. Since I made the skirt, I realized it looks great with many more of my sweaters, even though the fabric is not very neutral, and I’m super happy!
For the outfit pictures, I had fun wearing the same handmade sweater and the same shoes with the skirt and the pants from the book. You can see that by just changing the shoes, you could dress up the outfit instantly. You can also picture many other sweaters with these.
I love the other patterns as well, and the tee, the blouse or the mockneck would look great with my new skirt and pants, when the weather gets warmer (or with a cardigan!).
