Sunday, June 12, 2011

Why I make my own basics...

Some people might think it is quite absurd to make you own basics like T shirts and slips. There has even been moments where even I have been wondering... why is it that I just cant settle with the same as other people? Is my body shaped that different?... No not really. But you see I know all the answers... So here we go...




1: I have a very good pattern that has been tested over many years and has never let me down.

2: I make all my tops with the straps meeting in the middle of the back to avoid the feeling of it slipping over my shoulders.

3: I make basics individually to match a certain dress or top. If the dress is slim the slip will be slim and so on. I mark my slips in the back with a little coloured embroidery, to make it easy after washing to put together with the right outfit.

4: It takes me much less time to make these basics, than to go shopping for them.

5 I have the full control of the fabrics quality, colour and since I prewash my fabrics I have no surprises with shrinkage and therefor it relieves me from the eventual disappointments so many purchases often has given me with size and some of them even get out of shape.

6: All my white cotton tops and slips are sewn with cotton thread, so if later i need to die it in another colour the thread will also be coloured.

7: I sew little buttons on the shoulder straps, and it is then easy to attach a little loop to whatever dress or top I wear with it. This can be done with a store bought top so maybe it doesn't really count... But I just had to tell you the whole story...




Does this seem like a lot of trouble... Or do you think I am just another control freak... I just love these tops and I like the feeling, that the layer closest to me skin fits me perfect. It somehow sets of the whole outfit from inside... And also you might know that I hate shopping....






I just made three more of these to fit with three cotton tops in batiste, wich where just too thin in the fabric, so it really needed a top to be worn under it. Hurray I didn't have to go shopping for these... lucky me...

7 comments:

studio meyer said...

i have only just started to make clothes for me and basically my family... starting with the kids. i can already see that it makes me happy to have handmade clothes so i perfectly understand. shopping can be a bore cause once you find something that you like and fits you, next time it's "out of fashion" and you have to go searching again...

Anonymous said...

+ you're not paying too little for some poor persons work in Asia, as you enevitably do when you buy clothes - but then again, I sometimes get confused, if we don't buy what they make, can they make a living? But I go with you, though I don't get how you find the time, it seems you make EVERYTHING you and your family need? ;-) Anette

Sylkflow said...

#4 is so true. I can go shopping for 4-5 hours with pockets full of money and still come home empty handed...

And I guess it's all about being in control and having a perfectly fit for our perfectly shaped us...:-)

Anna McClurg said...

i keep meaning to make a good slip/undershirt pattern. i suppose i could use an old slip and adjust here and there for the paper pattern. i love your idea of putting buttons on the straps. i'm never 100% happy with what i buy at a department store and think many times after buying, that i should have just made it myself! i do not think you are weird for making these basics. i think it's fabulous! but then maybe i myself am a control freak... ;)

p.s. i love it when you talk about your wardrobe basics!

Dolores said...

Mette, first of all I want to say that I am sooo happy to read more of you again. Of course as a mother of two I totally know sometimes there is simply no time for anything - nevertheless for blogs. But I do so adore your whole lifestyle, your way to see things, your way to come to a solution - I really wish I could be a kind of intern at your place ;-)))
Do you think you can show a photo from your basic undies (if not to intimate for your feelings)?
As the other ladies here I agree totally with you, finding perfect underwear is nearly impossible. So making it yourself totally makes sense. I am an experienced sewer, but I a have a huge respect for all that little seams, that elastic hems and things like that ... maybe you want to share some tips?
Thank you and have a good time!
Dolores

Anja said...

I love hearing about this. And I always end up wishing that you would make my clothes, too :)

an angel at my table said...

Wow I am impressed! I wish I could make my own clothes. I create lovely things.

All the best

Mari