Evolution of a Sewing Room - Part 7

As per Vicki's request in a comment to my last sewing room post (which was approximately 1000 years ago - I'm obedient, but really slow), let's check out the fabric closet.

So, c'mon in, the door's open...

FABRIC
I have two large shelving units that hold most of my fabrics.  The metal unit contains all the wovens, while the wooden unit holds the knits, flannels, fleeces and home dec textiles.

Metal Unit
I organize the fabric on this unit a few different ways.  By season, by fabric type/fiber content and in wardrobe groupings. 

Sometimes if a group of fabrics looks right together, I will kept them near one another on the shelf in a wardrobe collection.  Then, when I am sewing a SWAP-style group of garments, I already have pre-made collections of fabric.

Wooden Unit
I organize this unit completely by fabric type.  You can see stacks of knits, ordered by fiber content (cotton, bamboo, polyester, etc).  I also keep flannels, fleeces, home dec and corduroy here.  Beside this unit, I line up some of my linings on bolts.

But, wait...there's more...

Guest Bedroom Closet
I have too much fabric to fit in the sewing room fabric closet, so the guest bedroom closet houses the overflow.  Arranged on hangers, I have the slippery silks, laces and all the fabrics that don't take well to folding (faux suede and laminated fabrics for instance).

MAGAZINES & PATTERN ENVELOPES
I have a large collection of Threads magazines (top shelf).  I have almost every copy of the magazine ever sold, but I am missing a few of the earlier ones.  I can't decide if it's worth stalking eBay for the few issues I need to complete my collection or if I should just buy the Threads Archive DVDs.  Decisions, decisions.

I have quite a few issues of Vogue pattern magazine and to a lesser extent, the now defunct Butterick pattern magazines, mainly from the last few years (bottom shelf).  I could kick my self for tossing out all the copies I had from the 1980s and 1990s.

I have a number of issues of Australian Stitches (also, bottom shelf).  I used to love the wardrobing (SWAP) articles.  Alas, the steep price and finding that I wasn't as interested in the other articles combined to force me to let my subscription lapse two years ago.

I store all envelope patterns in a similar fashion.  The guts (tissue and instructions) are placed in large manilla envelopes, which are kept in my cutting table (the patterns can be seen in their drawers in this post) .  The pattern covers are placed inside page protectors and organized in three-ring binders (middle shelf) by category (active wear, dresses, skirts, tops, jackets, wardrobe patterns, etc) and then by pattern company.  This makes it easy to browse through my patterns without having to root through the pattern drawers.  If I grab a cup of tea and a binder and I can spend many a happy hour dreaming and plotting my next big sewing adventure.


THREAD
I love this cabinet and it's serendipitous acquisition.  I was lucky enough to be in the right place, at the right time.  A few years ago, the librarian at my school was disposing of this metal film cabinet (moving forward with the times, I guess) and I happened to walk by.  I asked if I could have it and he said yes.  The poor man even single-handedly loaded it into the bed of my truck for me.  Chivalry is most certainly not dead! (I just realized something - he has been off for the last month recovering from a major hernia operation - oh man, I think my sewing obsession may have finally injured someone.  Yikes!)

The cabinet has several shallow drawers that have dividers in them.  The dividers have round holes that were meant to hold projector film canisters.  Now, however, they are perfectly designed for spools of thread.  All my Guterman thread is organized by number in the same order as can be found on the thread sample chart.  This way, it's easy to reorder any thread that I am low on, not to mention that it looks really pretty when I open the drawer!

The other drawers hold more thread (like embroidery thread and the serger thread shown below), as well as dyes.

At the bottom, is a cabinet with a swinging door.  Inside, there are vertical dividers that are just perfect for organizing my interfacings. 

So, there you have it.  The HZC Fabric Closet of Joy & Wonder.  Feel free to stand back and bask in its warm glow.

Shannon Tested, Zombie Approved: Dior

I have always been drawn to the fashions of the 1950s.  The feminine silhouette of a tight bodice and full flared skirt has consistently been a draw for me.  I especially love the work of couturiers of the era - I find it all very romantic and intriguing.

That said, I enjoy researching fashion giants of the era and basking in their legendary works.  For that reason, I bought a wonderful book earlier this year and I am simply awestruck by it.  Dior is breathtaking for many reasons.

First, its sheer size is amazing, 37.1 cm x 30.5 cm x 5.1 cm (14.6" x 12" x 2"). This is a coffee table book in the most literal sense - it is the size of a table top and it weighs about as much. I cannot sit for long periods of time and look at this book while it's in my lap - it's just too darn heavy. I have to place on a table in front of me to comfortably browse through it.

Second, the photographs are exquisite. From full length shots of the garments to eye-popping close-ups.  If you don't have the opportunity to see the garments in person, this is certainly the next best thing.

The flow of the book is ordered chronologically.  The first chapter, of course, focuses on Christian Dior himself.  There is a brief history of his life prior to launching his sensational couture collection of 1947.  We are then lead through each important collection that was to follow, up until Dior's sudden death in 1957.

Bar Suit, Spring/Summer 1947 collection

We are invited into the atelier and given insight into what it was like to be a client.  There is also a section on high society and celebrity fans and clients, including Ingrid Bergman, Grace Kelly and Lauren Bacall.

Famous clients in attendance at Dior shows throughout the 1940s & 1950s.

From there, the book takes us through the highlights of the each subsequent designer to lead the couture house, beginning with Yves Saint Laurent.  Saint Laurent, in his role as assistant, was said to have been groomed by Dior himself as an eventual successor.  And, what a an excellent successor he was.  Although he only reigned for six seasons (he was called up to do military service), he made an indelible impression upon the fashion world.

The iconic photograph of the model Dovima in a Dior dress designed by YSL

Marc Bohan took over as artistic director of Dior haute couture from 1961 to 1989.  Unfortunately, despite the length of time Bohan spent at the reins of Dior, his work has not made a lasting impression.  There are, however, still some exquisite garments from this period.

Evening dress, Spring/Summer 1972

Next up in the historical record is Gianfranco Ferre, who headed the house from 1989 to 1996.  He was to create collections imbued with sophistication and elegance, with an emphasis on the architectural approach to garment design.

Koh-I-Noor gown, Fall/Winter 1996 collection

Finally, the book closes out with a look at the work of John Galliano, who presented his first Dior haute couture collection in 1997.  At the publication date of the book (2007), Galliano had not yet been dismissed due to his anti-semetic tirade. 

promotion published in Harper's Bazaar in January 2007 to mark Galliano's ten years as artistic director at Dior

The most exquisite part of the book is the exceptional photographs that showcase the garments to their full potential.  The backdrops are subtle, yet complementary and add to the aura of wonder surrounding each piece.

Fidelite wedding dress, Fall/Winter 1949 collection

My favourites photos are those of the garments, inside & out.  It is a seamstress' dream to sneak a peak at the interior of a true couture garment.  It is astonishing to see the hand finishing up close and personal. 

Mugeut dance dress, Spring/Summer 1957 collection

I cannot recommend Dior highly enough.  It is a glorious gathering of luscious garments that inspire and amaze.

New Year, New Beginning

I have put off writing this post for ages.  So, let's just jump in, shall we?

I AM FAT

There, I said it.

Over the last two years, I have gained 22 pounds and I am now firmly in the overweight category.  I am very unhappy that I have allowed myself to get to this point.  Of course, I have many excuses for my predicament, but none of them really hold any water.  What it comes down to is a lack of caring and effort on my part.  It's easier to grab a quick meal of garbage food and then sit on my ever-expanding arse.  Much easier than say, eating well, logging my calories and exercising.  

I don't feel good - inside or out.  My knees (one of which has always given me trouble since I dislocated it years ago) are stiff and creaky, my left hip is sore and (ready for TMI?) my monthly cramps are becoming very painful.  All of these maladies are non-existent when I'm at a proper weight.  

On a more vain note, most of my clothing no longer fits - all the beautiful garments that have I sewed over the years sit idle in my closet.  And my desire to sew new outfits has dwindled to almost nothing.  Also, when I look in the mirror, I no longer see the vibrant woman that exists in my mind's eye.  I see an overweight, tired, middle aged woman that has given up.  It ain't pretty.

So, it's time for a change.  

Please don't tell me that I need to love myself more.  Trust me, I love myself - I think I'm pretty darned awesome.  And one of the reasons, I like myself so much is that I have put effort into it.  I have an excellent education that took long hours of sacrifice and study.  I'm great at my job, which takes hard work.  I am a good family member and friend, all of which takes effort.  I am an excellent seamstress and it took years of honing my craft to get to this point.  I love to learn new things and I will leave no stone unturned to develop a new skill.  Do you see the pattern?  All the things I like about my inner self are the result of work, time and effort. 

Also, please leave the "you need to embrace your body as it is" mentality out of this.  I realize that there is a real movement these days to encourage women to love themselves, no matter what size they may be.  And, although the root of the message is empowering, I think it has gone too far.  In fact, the mere suggestion that someone would want to lose weight is often regarded with disdain.  Some people I know even go so far as to inappropriately exclaim that a thin woman "really needs to eat a sandwich."  For some, it has become a fat pack mentality - it's okay for me to be fat, as long as other people are fat too.  Believe me, I have fallen prey to this as well.  Over the past year I have often put off getting back in shape because I would reason that I'm thinner than most people, so I must be doing okay.  What a cop out on my part.
 
Please understand that I have no problems with folks choosing to be fat, nor do I have issues with them loving the body that they have.  My aggravation occurs because of the intimation by some that a desire to lose weight (through healthy eating and exercise) is letting down all of woman kind.  Recently, when discussing my need to lose weight, I was actually told that I shouldn't mention my goal to my students or I could "turn" some of them anorexic.  Um, yeah.

I will not let this daunt me though.  I continuously work hard on my inner self (it's always a work in progress), so it's time start working on my outer self again.  I have a goal, I have a plan and I have the means.  So, it's time to start the hard work.

I wasn't sure whether or not to share this on my blog.  It is deeply personal and I may be opening up myself to comments that will annoy, sadden or anger me.  But, I am more likely to stick to my plan if I put it out into the universe.

And just to keep myself honest, here I am today, heading down to walk on the treadmill in my basement.  I cannot believe I am actually going to share this picture with the world.  But, I am.  Please be gentle.

I am wearing no make up and I haven't fixed my bed-flattened hair. I have not sucked in my stomach or turned to a flattering angle.  I am not wearing clothing designed to camouflage my "trouble spots" and I haven't cropped out the bits I don't like.  This is me, as I am, right now.  A friend told me I was brave to post this photo for the world to see.  (I'm thinking that there is a thin line between bravery and insanity.)  But, I figure if I have a record of where I started, I can stay motivated and encouraged as I watch my progress unfold pictorially over the next few months. 

It's a brand new year, with brand new possibilities.  I refuse to let 2012 go by without at least trying to create a brand new physical version of me. If anyone would like to join me on my journey, I welcome the camaraderie and support.

So, here's to a new year, a new beginning .... and less ass fat.

Finally, Malware Warning Free

Well, I'm back in business - no more stinky malware warnings.  Wahoo!

So, here's what hubby & I believe happened.  A blog I followed seems to have been infected by some nasty bug.  And any blog that linked to it (and was recently scanned by Google's bug detectors) was also flagged as containing or distributing malware.  When I removed this blog from my blog roll, I thought I was in the clear.  But, Google still said I had malware issues.  Then hubby realized that I may have had comments that linked back to this blog.  So, I had to go through my almost 7000 comments to delete any links.  Now, I have the all clear from Google.

Unfortunately, in trying to track down the issue, I lost all my blog formatting - all the custom colours and fonts that I had put together to make my blog look the way it did.  So, for now, I have a different look (not that anyone  that reads in a blog reader would notice :)  ), but at least I'm back up and running.  Halleluiah!

I Spoke too Soon

Hubby still can't figure out why I have this malware warning.  He's still working on it...

Malware

Thank you to the folks that gave me the heads up about the malware message that comes up when trying to enter my blog.  My hubby believes that he has tracked down the issue and now I'm just waiting for the all clear.  What a PITA!

Gilding the Lily

A colleague of mine has a green thumb.  And he employs that green thumb in the pursuit of beautiful daylilies.  Luckily, I was able to finagle an invite to go check out his beautiful gardens a few weeks back.

He hybridizes his own daylilies, in pursuit of certain characteristics, like ruffle-edged petals or an intense chartreuse eye.

While visiting, I took about a million and twelve pictures.  I thought I'd share a few of my favourites.  Enjoy!

To say that his lilies are breathtaking is an understatement. I was lucky enough to secure several plants for my garden at the new house. 

Happy Birthday, Hartley!

My little man turned two years old a couple of days ago.

Not only did Grandma (who he adores with a burning passion) come over, she brought presents.  His favourite was a duck.

He got lots of nibbles from Grandma's lunch plate.  He also went on a walk, during which he chased grasshoppers and tried to eat toad jerky.*  This made for a blissful day - tiring, but blissful.

*Toad jerky = dried up toads that got squished on our road.  I think it's disgusting, but he is always trying to eat them up.  He can often be seen with a pair of legs dangling from his mouth. I know, eww.  Any body else have a toad jerky lover in their family?  Or is there another tasty treat that your dog, cat or other critter loves to snag, regardless of your distaste?