Make it Better: Designing 3 simple linen skirts for my body type (+ a very long chicken update 🐣)

[@KJayPlays]

I think a lot of your issues with wanting less volume around your hips while still having swoosh further down, can be fixed with using godets. They aren’t used much anymore. You rarely see them in modern skirts, but they are used widely throughout history. I’m unsure whether it’s because they require a bit more work and patterning or if they simply aren’t fashionable anymore. I really hope you’ll look into them. They’re also good for piecing and making less fabric go further. Love your content! Thank you for all you do ❤

[@samsontheladle]

I have a skirt like that! I didn't know that had a name. With my godet skirt, it has a TON of them (which I like) but it has 2 issues: it's too short, and it has this tendency to cling to the tops of my thighs before flouncing out, which makes my lower belly look even more present. I'm not a pear shape, I just have the post-baby pouch, but man was that a bummer. The fullness of the skirt itself was super fun until I noticed the pouch thing and couldn't get it out of my head.

[@charlibrown7745]

@@samsontheladle shapewear can be your friend here.

[@janspence6010]

@@samsontheladle godets can start at any height really. So if you do an empire waistline you can start a Godet at your natural waist. Or even start at the hips. Most godets are positioned at the low hip level

[@alessazoe]

I just imagined to get more green linen but with another tone and add godets into the green skirt in from these. Would fix what’s "sad" about the green skirt so far and make it more fun visually.

[@raraavis7782]

Now that you mention it...they do seem to have gone out of style somewhat. I've been sewing since the mid 90s and have my mother's Burda collection (a German sewing magazine with patterns) going back to the late 70s and there are plenty of skirts and dresses with godets in them. Not so much, anymore. They are fiddly and time consuming, but great for piecing. And you can create very cool visual effects with them.

[@ashextraordinaire]

A few years ago, I started measuring my favorite clothes and making blocks from them. The "style guide" gets occasional refinements, but it's well worth the effort. You won't regret the time you've spent on making your own guide! Plus, it's much easier to adjust when your weight does fluctuate, because you have a solid starting place. The hemline guide is an EXCELLENT idea, and I'm going to add that to my own guide. I love all of these skirts, and I especially love that you were able to make matching headbands from the scraps.

[@Padraigp]

Nice i now always make my clothes with multiple buttons and ways to close them at different sizes ..my great granny was a dress maker and we have some of the old clothes and they all have this ability to be closed tight or loose with hidden buttons inside ... so since i made my first skirt and by the time i had finished it it was too tight for me 😂 and my second skirt which by the time i finished was way too big on me i realised that i go up and down two sizes month to month and so now everything has at least two settings. Mid period small period day medium and period day i just ate pizza large!

[@ericathefae]

This more scientific/data-centric approach is honestly inspirational. I should really do my own experiments to see what I like.

[@heatherthrone9999]

First time viewer, great approach.

[@allie9855]

I love these skirts!! It never occurred to me to make waist bands thinner because of my high waist or to patch a small uneven spot like that! You gave me some great ideas!

[@martinajohansson2659]

I love the chicken update. And it's good, somehow, that as Cinderella Fairytale as your sewing content can feel (and yes, it feels magical

[@ericathefae]

Ooh, gorgeous little hatchlings

[@meamela9820]

It took so long for me to realise the importance of the right fabric weight and stiffness for different kinds of project. It has such a huge impact it felt quite ironic I had overlooked it for so long. But that's how a lot of sewing lessons are, I feel: when you at last get it, it seems obvious even if weren't before. I am loving hearing you analyzing the making and designing process. My brain works the same way, so all your videos are really helpful in giving me ways to approach my own sewing, when you explain what you learn and WHY things work or not. Also, yay for chicken update!

[@TabbyWaddell]

When you showed the babies, my mama dog came running and checked the corner of the house we put our brooder in 😂 when she saw nothing there and I told her it was the TV she sat and watched intently as you showed them all. Also, the first uncanny one should be Amelia because the swoops are like flight goggles. We consider our laying hens as pets, meat birds are livestock that we hatch from their eggs. The key being you put the brooder somewhere where you aren't looking at it all day. Because babies.

[@MariahPattie]

Yeah, thinking that’s what we’ll do with the next batch. I like that name idea, but I might go with Earhart 😃

[@MossyMozart]

Skirt-wise - I am completely with you when you say that you forget what to do between sewing projects. My brain must be like Swiss cheese....Your data collection is an excellent, organized way to stay informed.

[@melissamybubbles6139]

You're figuring out a lot of things that will be useful if I ever need to go looking for skirts. Thank you. I like the cute birds.

[@pzzldmom]

Also, I think the olive skirt looks the best on you. It is very flattering.

[@missco2820]

Love the chickens they are cute but they are for food too. You have the right mindset. Keep up the good work. Love how you work thru your thoughts on how to make your skirts.

[@dejahdanger]

Came for the skirts. Stayed for da baby birbs. Time well spent.

[@aprildriesslein5034]

I love the fact that you are so analytical and not afraid to dive into the math! We also have similar figures -- especially the short waist -- so this is particularly helpful to me. It looks to me like you are doing straight waistbands that go up from the natural waist. That is definitely easier (and uses less fabric) but I have found that a shaped waistband that goes down from the waist (i.e., basically a short yoke) is better for a short waist. I have also been experimenting with other types of shaped waistbands. I keep the back and sides at my natural waist, but drop the center front -- from 1 to 4 inches (keeping the waistband height the same all around). It's a really good effect for making the waist look smaller and the torso look longer, but it does emphasize the hips, which I like but you may not. Anyhow, please keep these up, especially with the lovely linens! I can't wait to invest in some for myself.

[@niccyknickers]

i LOVE the details as to why different designs, lengths, etc look good on your body type! it's really making me think about what i need to do and look for for my own body. it's so interesting, and i dont watch anyone else that adds this theory and evidence. thank you for your hard work and maths skills :D

[@afreen5058]

She's so inspriring! You're skilled in presentation (in terms of video essays) and sewing! You are someone I look up to!!

[@rettathompson1222]

Perfect motivation to finish the thrift flip skirt I started and has taken me longer than intended! I honestly like all three of these skirts! They seem like they will be fairly versatile to. Enjoyed the chicken update, tried to share part of it with my 8 month old and he watched the chicks for a short while 😂.

[@dbdesignsandsewingaustrali5668]

Your skirts are beautiful, you are a very accomplished sewist. The chickens are gorgeous and the new chicks are just darling..

[@kida4star]

For adjustability on one of my skirts, I experimented with eyelets that would allow me to lace into my waistband and cinch it tighter folding the inner fabric out as a box pleat. One of my first skirts that I wear on the regular!

[@eccentricviewingsnoidiotsa554]

Love this idea, thank you!!!

[@silverwitch6863]

I love the analytic and systematic way you go about this. 👍🏻 Your feathered friends are great!

[@aleciacope3503]

Bravo on the skirts! 😍 I can't get enough of your analytical approach to dress making 🤓 And thank you for sharing your fowl update!! Adorable.

[@eloiseb5600]

I love this video! I was so excited to see you give a 5/5 for the orange skirt, it's gorgeous! And I love the olive one too! I think it looks great on you even if the design isn't as flashy

[@ibelieveinpandas]

Good observation re fabric drape vs fullness of skirt! Regarding length, having a basic number to draft the skirt saves time, but I still like to finish the garment before I commit to a certain length. Depending on the fabric, where the waist sits, etc, I might want it shorter or longer.

[@AuroraEL]

Sewing and chickens, I'm always so delighted when you post a video! 😊 Once my husband and I buy a house for our family, I definitely want to raise our own chickens too! 🐣

[@aly_b]

I love them 😍, both the skirts and the chickens.

[@lindabrotherton1225]

Love your farm part video, thank you for sewing and farming. 🇺🇸❤️

[@JeromeViolist]

That pumpkin one looks so good on you!

[@mcanultymichelle]

That was fun .one minute lm learning to sew and the next lm looking at baby chicks.

[@AnniCarlsson]

That pumpkin skirt is something I really want one as well

[@mimimaitri1]

Writing down lessons and tips, no matter how intuitive has saved me over and over again. It took years for me to have the patience and interest to really journal as I made things, but it’s paid off!

[@dianewolff7599]

Mariah, I also love your informative, logical, descriptive, sensible approach to your projects. I learn so much from you ! Thank you!

[@Chibihugs]

I like the different style linen skirts. The waistbands were very pretty

[@TheMakersCorner]

Ahhhh I live in a town called Gympie in QLD Australia. I love that you have a rooster called that! He's beautiful

[@Darvit_Nu]

Brilliant sewing :) Making clothing is something I REALLY want to do so I can choose fabrics, colors, patterns & shape! I knit, crochet, tunisian crochet, Nalbind, embroider and cross stitch (recently learned to make tatted items & lace as well). The pumpkin skirt looks great on you & all the clothing looks light and comfortable! 🥰

[@aquaticmist]

These designs are incredible. I will definitely be trying the last two designs for myself!

[@DLBard-bv2nd]

All three skirts are beautiful. 💞

[@Ella-iv1fk]

The weight and drape of the fabric in relation to volume of skirt is a really good point to consider. I'm aiming to do a bit more experimenting this year with different skirt patterns, I've tried to be orderly with plans and measurements but I'm too chaotic so far and don't remember anything. I got some linen from ebay which is stiffer than I expected and I didn't know what to do with it so maybe I'll try a skirt with medium volume. I appreciate the chicken content 🐔🐣

[@RoSario-vb8ge]

Did you wash it first?

[@Ella-iv1fk]

@@RoSario-vb8ge yes, I'm trying to wash new fabric on arrival these days to get it out of the way. I might do that one again before I use it though just in case/to see if it softens up

[@darkeyedfran]

The olive skirt is my absolute fav!!!

[@luciasamaras7767]

Thanks for sharing your experimental findings along with your creative results. Congratulations on the birdies! For the foot infection, I've heard that colloidal silver is helpful.

[@margaret07]

Cute skirts, cute chickens!

[@armedvsokord]

For the plum skirts adjustability, all you need to do is leave extra seam allowance in the waist. The pleats give you the extra fabric you'd need later to adjust the size you'd just take the waistband off and re-pleat the skirt to the new waist size. If you hand sew the pleats down you might get less damage to the material when removing the pleats to reset them.

[@eccentricviewingsnoidiotsa554]

That’s a great idea if you only expect to change sizes a few times during the life of the skirt. I’m personally trying to make clothing that can be an inch or two different in the waist depending on the day or time of the month, without reconstructing the garment.

[@michellecelesteNW]

1st sewing portion. I love that you explain why you choose certain things. I too theorized a scrunchie back skirt and it was okay, only because I didn't use pleats with it. We're the same size & shape so I greatly appreciate seeing these test styles and concepts. Thank you so much! 2nd portion. CUTE little birdies. Gawhh I miss having birds. Something so sweet about them falling asleep in your arms.

[@Samuel_J1]

I love that pumpkin skirt and think the olive is great too, also I really like the tomato dress fabric :D Seeing you use the serger made me really want one, but then after looking it up I discovered it's called an overlocker outside of the US, which I already have :') Also please keep up the chicken updates. I love those ❤

[@goodfriendacres5633]

Because of the font I originally thought this video was about designing linen SHIRTS and I got excited. However, when I figured out it was about skirts I kept watching and enjoyed it also. I feel inspired watching your methods of sewing. Now if I can just organize my sewing space just enough to have room to work maybe I can finally get some projects out of the way to make room for new ideas.

[@pippaseaspirit4415]

Hi Mariah! I hope this is helpful: for an intransigent bumblefoot, do as you did with the soaking and scab removal, then make a warm poultice of either woundwort leaves or camomile teabags, place that under the foot and wrap (working between the toes) with strips of thin plastic. Food wrap is good, or strips cut from a lightweight plastic bag. Replace the poultice daily but skip the soaking and de-scabbing as it scares her.

[@TannerLyn]

This is ambitious! As a fellow craftsperson who's only toyed with the idea of making my own wardrobe, and have been thinking more seriously about making my own videos, I feel inspired by your work. It's honest and informative, traditional and adventurous, detailed yet well organized. I really appreciate the balance. It's good, it's just good. Also the chickens are delightful, and I strongly believe that a return to crafts and to growing your own food are going to play a huge role in creating a future that's not only sustainable, but delicious and beautiful as well. Tanner from Iowa

[@taylorlouise3254]

I am loving this new wave of your content because it directly correlates with my own journey. I am an academic, and that is apparent based on the formulas/math and theories I am trying to draw upon, whilst using data to drive my ideas. Needless to say, I think you would do well in academia 😂

[@RahonaStream]

your skirts and designing for your body type is excellent to see, and I really appreciate you being honest with also eating some of your birds. On the self sustaining front, raising rabbits for meat I've found to be a lot easier than raising dual purpose chickens if you ever decide to give that a try

[@MariahPattie]

I’d be interested, but I don’t think it’ll happen. I’m fine with butchering anything but I hate the dispatch. Caleb does it now, but he said that rabbits are where he’ll draw a line 🙃

[@bonniebelair8470]

my favorite of the new skirts was the green although I’d love to see the hem just maybe an 1” shorter. Then at 24:43 the circle skirts on you🙌🏼 OMG perfection!!! I’m loving that you’re doing this and it inspires me to get my act together. I’ve been really trying to pay attention to colors. But now I’ll look more at silhouette. I’m 5’6” 34D/27/39.

[@quimeyart9385]

I really liked your video where you analized your body type and it made me think about my body in a way i naver thought of, and i really apreciate it. So when i saw this follow up video i HAD to watch it! i really enjoy this content and the way you racionalize the clothes, i will be waiting for another video!

[@callunas]

For an adjustable waist skirt, have you considered doing the 18th century style with the ties for the front and back panels, or a modified version of it? That way you can have a skirt that's fully adjustable without needing to introduce elastic/drawstring that will mess up the pleating.

[@NightFiola]

You can save your old pleated skirt by iron pleats nicely with 1/4 to 1/2 of inch every side of pleat wider at the bottom compare to top and sewing pleats together to hips level.

[@yasminannagloria9860]

Very informative, thank you. And great chicken update and I like the openness about your goals with that. I'm also planning to have quite some chickens for eggs and meat; and fluffy cuties to look at hahah

[@MossyMozart]

Predator-wise - One summer on Cape Cod, we were outside in the middle of the day with our 2 cats milling about with us. Suddenly, a coyote sprang from some brush and charged after the kitties with us standing right there yelling at it! One cat ran flat out and easily outpaced the coyote while the 2nd kitty ran up an extremely tall locust tree and was so traumatized that she refused to come down. My husband had to borrow a 40-foot ladder to climb up for her. All the kids in the neighborhood were entranced and steadied the base of the ladder for him while his knees knocked together up in the air. Thank goodness, little Panda let him pick her up and she hid under his arm while he shakily brought her back to Earth. He was relieved she didn't dig into his skin! The kitties were not allowed outdoors after that.

[@plantylittlewoman]

Oh my god! As a beginner sewist I would looove to be able to sew (and understand HOW I do it) skirts like this! I will have to watch this video a million times in order to understand what you do when and where. I completely understand it's not my place to ask you to make a slower tutorial video, that would be soo much work for you. I am grateful I have this video to learn from. You sew so neatly, all your seams look perfectly straight, I still struggle with cotton. Maybe I really should try linen, but I guess this isn't a question of fabric, it is skill and nothing else. This video inspires and motivates me so much, even though being a little desillusionized about how much more I will have to learn in order to aquire that level of sewing skill. Anyway, thank you soooo much for this video, I will try to copy one of your skirts and keep practising =) Cheers from Germany...

[@TheMoonlightArtist]

I love the mix of sewing and chicken uupdates 😊 this video is full of information but also cozy content ❤

[@robintheparttimesewer6798]

I really enjoyed this one. The pumpkin skirt is defiantly my favourite. Love the idea of the setting your own rules and preferences. I also forget which way I decided was best between projects. Thanks for the chicken update. The babies are very cute.

[@ChristineSewsALot]

Beautiful work. You have a good sense of what you will enjoy wearing. So clever to make your own guidelines.

[@kathleennewbern480]

I love that you share the reasoning behind your choices. I wonder if the plum skirt would look better a smidge shorter?

[@MeadowoodRanch]

Those skirts are all great. Good job finding inspiration and adjusting to constraints. And congrats on the hatchlings.

[@eebeegee8325]

Cute chick's, love the skirts. Maybe you should get a goose gander for your flock. They are extremely good guards against predators.

[@conniemurdoch8528]

Buttonhole elastic is a great way to make it size adjustable at the waist. Put a buttonhole in the hem facing at one side seam or the other. Fix the elastic at the side seam opposite the buttonhole. Feed the elastic through the buttonhole and place a button about 1” or less that you can button the buttonhole elastic to. You can cinch it tight or ease just a little bit. For example on the first skirt. You could do whatever you like with the pleats, then use the elastic to ease in just a bit.

[@conniemurdoch8528]

Oops I meant to say waistband facing (inside of the waistband if it’s a fold over type) not hem facing

[@AReluctantSeamstress]

I love the color combinations! These skirts look great I can’t wait to see the next video.

[@BeaOmega]

Beginner sewer here. I'm looking into linen garment making. We live in Texas. Enough said.

[@pv6450]

One of the things I am constantly learning is the right pattern for the fabric. Seems like you are on the right track. Strong shouldered top with that wool plaid skirt should fix the silouette a bit. Great video. Love your new series.

[@madamemarine9425]

Look up the Coquelicot skirt. Super adjustable and huge history bounding pockets! Made 2 already

[@alexiscarlton1355]

Practical sewing and wearable clothes! Awesome! Thank you for sharing :D.

[@pLanetstarBerry]

Watching this while getting ready to sew a mockup for a jacket I'm making for my Halloween costume. You did such a good job on your skirts, especially the pumpkin one! As an aside, you look so stunning in that sun and moon dress!

[@elizabetha8373]

Loves the skirts, but the chick update was awesome. I was listening in surround sound by my daughters chicks.

[@AdirondackRuby]

The pumpkin skirt is my favorite, I think. But I like the process of all of them. The way you are so logical, methodical, and practical is why I enjoy your content so much, even if I never intend to make use of the information in a given video. You're just so calming and inspirational. Loved, as always, the update on the birds. Despite living very rural, local Zoning laws prevent me from having anything deemed livestock, so I'm living vicariously through you and all of my lucky chicken/goat/cow/pig-raising friends. I have a question though...maybe I just missed it in an older video, but didn't you used to have Quails? What happened to them?

[@MariahPattie]

They were getting old, and I lost a few over the winter last year. So I released the remainders at a park. Figured the best thing was to let them enjoy a few days in the wild, then probably feed another animal out there.

[@AdirondackRuby]

@Mariah Pattie Ah. Yeah, that's an inevitability, isn't it? Nothing & no one last forever.

[@pzzldmom]

Literally, as you said it, about the plum skirt, I was saying that the pleats needed to extend past your hips.

[@lynnekingham8754]

Love your videos = always inspiring on the sewing front. Chickies!! so cute.

[@makerjanedesigns6405]

I’m in love with your pumpkin skirt. I’m going to need to make something similar for myself. But I need to figure out how to make it maturity friendly somehow.

[@ReinaElizondo]

Interesting seeing your process as you refine it

[@julesg9337]

love the journey you are sharing with us about finding your style. it's interesting and usefull :) Thanks a lot !

[@heatherthrone9999]

I always measure my hems from the floor because depending on your horizontal measurements you may need more ai rhe back of the skirt hem to be right for the fabric and style of the garment. I use a marker on wheels with a powder disperser. Check Wawak.

[@gloop7458]

Recommendation for the unnamed chipmunk pattern one: Fang Reminiscent of wolves for the floof and the shape of the lines on her face

[@Angel-yz8gt]

Loved this video. You make it look so easy:)

[@saram3156]

Hello there! The font in your white "My Style and Design Guidelines" chart at 23:12: I wonder if you know the name of it offhand? But either way this is a very helpful video: that 3/4 heavy wool circle skirt looks so good. Flared waistbands (not sure what they're called, or if that's what I'm looking at) with heavy fabric attached to them are good for reducing bulk.

[@sallythekolcat]

24:50 you might try basting cotton cord into the hem of the green linen skirt. it can make lightweight fabrics behave a bit more like heavy weight fabric, less limp.

[@RanysTuunainen]

I love your birds! I am happy some of my chicks have a hatching urge (is it called like that in English? sorry, I'm not native English speaker) and I only have to take care of the mommy chick well and then there will be baby chicks. Mommy chicks also takes super good care of their babies. I feel very lazy, I only take care that they have everything they need, and the mommy chick takes care of the rest. This Spring has been very cold in Finland, so just yesterday I found our this years first hatcher mommy. Only about 21 days and we (hopefully) have babies!

[@teresagg9809]

For infection, if you can get the animal to leave a bandage for 8 to 12 hours my suggestion is ichthammol / Ammonium bituminosulfonate. I get mine in one of two places. One, the feed store horse section the mixture that usually contains lanolin for hooves. Two, Rite-aid with the title drawing salve / ointment / cream. It smells lite tar.

[@teresagg9809]

Forgot to say the bandage needs lots of gauze to absorb what gets pulled out. Longer time is better. For myself I wait 24 hr before changing but in reality it comes down to how long it can be kept on. I does feel weird so I don't really blame anyone for messing with it.

[@vivijd14]

I love the cut and colors!! 💜💚🧡 - Please try the petersham trick for curved hems, works WONDERS! (need true petersham ribbon for hats, in cotton or rayon, not poly. It irons into the curve you want and create the perfect hem facing for circle skirts. Magical)

[@heatherthrone9999]

Also great as a facing at the waist.

[@vivijd14]

@@heatherthrone9999 Yes!! Especially for short waists. I make it in a curve and it sits so smootly just at the junction of wait and hips, instead of adding a layer ‘on’ the waist.

[@ima.ekenes]

This was so helpful!

[@defiancearchives]

You are amazing, thank you!!

[@claudeclawsonne4510]

That plaid skirt you loved so much has enough fabric in it I think you could take it apart, make a pencil skirt and use the remainder to either make a vest or some other top that you use the plaid fabric to trim and accent some sort of jacket or vest. What do you think?

[@tiffanytomasino335]

Thank you for sharing

[@ChestersonJack]

I’ve never seen tab belt loops like that before! I imagine if, placed in the proper position for bracer/suspender buttons, they could allow one to alternate if they want to use a belt or suspenders to hold up their bottoms! Now I want to try that!

[@MariahPattie]

Yes, that’s exactly what I made them for on the original skirt. It has matching suspenders.

[@ChestersonJack]

@@MariahPattie :O Amazing, and thank you for replying! I love your videos!!

[@robyn3349]

Thank you!

[@RoSario-vb8ge]

Maybe you could stitch down the folds on your first skirt for going up in your ranking? I find the last skirt to be very nice on you. Indeed I like it the most on you. I also find the grey thread goes very well with the greyish brown button - maybe it looks different in reality... Maybe the look of the green skirt is uplifted by wearing an underskirt or with a lining. I imagine you even could wear a more fitted skirt than the green one? Maybe...

[@darknessfierce4209]

Beautiful clothes, what software are you using for design if I May ask Thank you for sharing your sewing and chickens

[@crashofthemoons]

We had three rosters at one time and it was such a nightmare. it was so stressful for our hens. we at the roosters we didn't like. solved that problem

[@BS-ne5cr]

Just a suggestion, you might want to put your fence behind the propane tank. If you still use it and get deliveries it'll make it easier for the guy to get to it.

[@MariahPattie]

Idk I asked Caleb about that and he said it was fine. If we have to move the fence later I guess we’ll just move it.

[@BS-ne5cr]

@@MariahPattie cool. Great video, love the chicken updates.😁

[@asterismos5451]

a hidden hook and eye could prevent the gaping on the pumpkin skirt's buttons

[@midknight5751]

The calligraphy for the text saying “ the pumpkin skirt “ I read it, the pumpkin sh*t

[@jenfirelight]

For the skirt with the buttons down the front, can I suggest just sewing down that line of buttons and only leaving the hook free. Or the hook and eye/ top button free, (if you need it to get in). It will mean the other buttons aren't functional but it will also stop the gapping.

[@MariahPattie]

Only problem is that it is just the top two or three buttons that gape. I like how the olive skirt fits there, with a little bit of extra ease gathered to the waistband. I’ll probably do that with future lightweight button-up A-line skirts

[@scribe6430]

You can call the black baby chick Raven 💕

[@Maaaaaam]

Skirts that are flat in the hips are recommended for kibbe naturals

[@GoingGreenMom]

Have you considered something like the tie from front and back petticoat that Katherine Sewing has made? I want to say it was a gold color, but would allow for pleating however you want. I'm thinking about using that concept with the old style of 18th century pockets so that the sides are covered by the inside line of the pockets but it is still able to adjust as I fluctuate..... but I am very new to sewing, and hand sew everything, so kind of afraid to try it.

[@akashanumberfive199]

This is crazy. I have been going through this slowly before you started...Im poor and do not sew well. Heh. Also I just had a baby and found myself staring down my favorite pieces, which I can no longer fit , because my frame has changed post-pregnancy AKA my hips have widened. Meaning -good bye to all of my beautiful vintage skirts and suits. However, I've always wanted to learn how to sew my own clothes but have been stuck at the idea of the cost. That being said. i have gone through my entire wardrobe (four capsules based on seasons) and find myself with only the most basic shapeless dresses. I miss my waist. I have found I have a preference for flowy circle skirt type dresses and skirts of mid or long length. three quarter sleeve or long sleeve shirts in crop or tunic length. Like I have seemingly bipolar tatses. I want extra or the simplest silhouettes. I'm talking regency (empire waist, breastfeeding friendly), medieval (looks great without bras, supportive, working clothes that can be hiked up), greco-roman (feminine flowy and light fabrics perfect for hot texas weather), egyptian( probably best at home, but same as greco-roman with pretty jewelry), to vintage land girl and 40s housewife shirtdresses, modern kente cloth dresses and cottagecore dresses. The last few vids I looked at from you and Loepsie inspired me to look at these things in pintrest. I created a board and I find a lot of these dresses feature a lot of the same things. swooshy, light fabrics. Practical home and garden work wear, high or natural waist length, buttons. Nothing that is so special that my children cant stain it but that is beautiful looks good on me regardless of pregnancy or not. Its a tall order, but watching you ladies, I have ideas and a starting place. So thank you!