Pinspiration

For the past week or so, I've been living in a lifeless fog.
Life got so dull, I didn't want to sew or play guitar or color lampreys or do all the little Allie things I would normally delight in doing.
My right ear was ringing all day Sunday.
Mike said I should answer it.

But then suddenly, there was Project Runway.
And I watched two episodes.
And now I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

inspired.

The challenge in the latest episode that I watched was to make a piece (to describe frozen yogurt) from the material of carnival prizes. Like fur, cheap plastic, sombreros, etc.
And they actually made pretty awesome stuff.

So I thought that if they can make pretty good stuff out of not good stuff, then maybe I can make better stuff out of good stuff.

Like this for example:

It's a good piece, and it's very well made. However, I only recall really wearing it somewhere once, and I got a lot of compliments...on my hair. But I REALLY like the color and its satin-iness.

So what I'd really like to do is turn it into something like this instead:

The top right salmon colored one ^ 

See what I'm doing?

I'm creating my own challenges!!!!

Project Runway? More like Project FUN PLAY!!!!

One thing Project Runway has taught me is that I don't have nearly enough jackets or pants.

And by "jackets", I don't mean cardigans, and by "pants", I don't mean jeans. 

Because, yes, I have plenty of those.

Project Runway also teaches me how to sound like a total prick when talking about clothes.

Oh, excuse me, garments. 

Make sure you use the word "chic". It's not a sentence unless you use the word "chic" somewhere in it.

But back to the pants thing: I really want to make a pair of mini pants. 

This will be a challenge because my butt has grown like the Grinch's heart in the past year.

Upside down hearts kind of even look like butts.

And my two attempts at making shorts have rendered them unwearable.

SAD. FACE.

I've discovered that a lot of my tops look good with only skinny jeans (and I can totally rock some skinny jeans), but I can't rock them at work.

Because, you know, jeans.

So if I could make a nice pair or two or fourteen of tailored slacks, I think I will have accomplished everything I need to in this life.

Side note: I love the word "tailored". 

It's such a fascinating little word.

It's kind of scary how well-made the women's pants are that the guys make. I'm always like howdidyoujustdothat?????

But what's even more frightening is how some of the guys wear heels.

I am so not kidding.

Moving on.

As far as the jacket concept, I'd really like to make a few to turn my spaghetti-strapped sundresses into "structured" "urban" "pieces".

See what I did there? I was talking like Zac Posen.

So I would like to work these mis-fitting mishaps into something like this.
Because that would be posh and sophisticated. And don't forget chic!

What I need are goals. And a dressmaker's dummy.
This list is more for me than it is for you, but you can keep reading (as if you wouldn't?!?!!?).

1. Make the plum dress I'm currently working on fit as well as the grey one does
2. Turn the green satin dress into a cool skirt.
3. Turn the pencil skirt and agenda dress into something WEARABLE. Even being a contrast fabric in something else would be a step up.
4. Make a really cool pair of mini pants/cigarette pants/skinny trousers.
4a. Find a pattern that understands the difference between mini pants and leggings
4b. Compare that pattern to pants you already have.
4c. Buy nice, dark navy fabric that is recommended.
4d. Wash the freaking fabric before you freaking sew.
5. Make another dress like the Little Big Planet dress because I've worn it so much it's almost got holes in it. Maybe in a coral color this time. Or that dark black and blue rayon.

And then goals for further on down the road:
1. Make your own pattern pieces
2. Authentically design, make and wear your own clothes
3. Don't audition for Project Runway.

Because there is no way in you-know-where that I could take criticism well on national television.
Or share a room with a bunch of girls.
*shudder*

When I walk into a room, I do not light it up,
TWS

Demons; The National