Make / Do Style

On Jan. 1, fabulous Kate, of Make Do Style, issued a new year challenge. It advocates a 3-month save, culminating (if you choose) in a high-quality - and fiscally guilt-free - splurge. The idea is that many consumers, such as those who love clothing and fashion tremendously, tend to fritter their money away on impulse and/or disposable purchases, and then lament the lack of funds to buy those beautiful dream-items they've been wanting forever.

How many times have you said you want some Manolos "but they cost $700.00", only to discover (or to stringently avoid discovering, by hiding the credit card bills) that you've spent practically the same amount in a month or two on skimpy object A and impulse-buy B. (This example can be recreated at any price point.)

Now you know my take on the New Year's resolution. It's way too high on the scale of commitment. By its very nature, it encourages the late-January (col)lapse.

And yet, I appear to be following this challenge. (Mega-disclaimer: I reserve the right to change my mind and buy everything withing walking distance at any moment according to my whims.)

Of course, I've put my own spin on it. In my universe, fabric and patterns don't count as fashion expenditures. I figure, if I want new things between now and March 31, no prob. I simply have to get out my machine and sew them.

Yes, my friends, the use of the word "simply" is completely tongue-in-cheek. We all know how easy I find making things, what with my excess of experience and incredible degree of patience. :-) But, except for newbie element, and maybe the passionate nature, I am optimally positioned: I have the machine, the patterns, the fabric (what? I have a little stash), the interest, the love of finished products, the sew-in labels - they arrived!

In fact, my sewing obsession has effectively done away with any time I might spend shopping. Um, I'm not exactly fast like lightning.

So far it seems to be working out well. No doubt you'll see 83 more posts on this topic before the end of March.

PS: To those of you asking about the Isabella Oliver dress - ok, I'm giving away the secret that it's a dress - I'm going to a party on Saturday, and I intend to wear it then. Photo shoot coming up. Thanks for being interested!