If you’ve been following me for a long time, you might remember that I also sew and I love to make my clothes. It’s been a while since I sat in front of my sewing machine … but I knit every day and dream of making every scrap of clothing that I wear, and I’ve decided to go back to my roots, carve out some time to sew, and put together the wardrobe of my dreams.

I’ve even made a start!

DRESSING TO FEEL LIKE ME.

I enjoy dressing up, even to work at home or go to the supermarket. The right clothes have a way of lifting me out of a funk and giving me energy and, although I don’t have a large wardrobe, I do love to play around with putting clothes together and accessorising.

After a long period of feeling completely at sea in my wardrobe, over the last year or so I’ve gotten pretty good at listening to my gut and experimenting with an outfit until I feel like “me”. Sometimes that involves more accessories, just the right belt, different shoes or tying knots in tops and wearing unusual layers together, and I’ve come to realise that it’s not frivolous to FEEL GOOD and wearing the right clothes does really help me feel good.

THE OUTFIT.

In my head, my new outfit is a perfect birthday party outfit. The kind of party where people mingle outside on balmy summer evenings under verandahs and grapevines and sip champagne from crystal glasses. But, it’s also pretty likely I’ll wear my outfit at home (with bare feet) while I’m working, so it’ll be versatile ;)

I’m actually halfway done. I’ve designed and knitted a gorgeous key-hole cropped summer top in pure silk from Harnie Hoolie (more about that soon – it’ll be a new pattern), and I’ve chosen fabric and a pattern for a skirt to go with it. I’m also going to finally open the packed of silver clay I bought about five years ago (fingers crossed it’s still ok?) and have a bash at some new earrings too.

For the skirt, I’m planning to use some gorgeous Nani Iro linen from my stash (I usually buy Nani Iro fabric here), and a new-to-me pattern; The Justine skirt. Justine is a full skirt with buttons and patch pockets, and it’s a free pattern from www.readytosew.fr, with instructions in both English and French. I’ve already decided I’ll modify it a little by adding in-seam pockets. I do love a pocket.

I’ll report back about the earrings when I have figured that bit out. I’m imagining a pair of big, beaten, silver discs hung from some silver hooks but I have no idea if that’s possible, or how to do it!

I used to own the perfect strappy high heel sandals that would finish off my outfit perfectly … but one of my daughters took them to school … I forgot … summer holidays happened … and when I remembered they were gone. So I might hunt for shoes too.