Helpful Links to Curating a Custom Wardrobe

Hello Sewing and Stashbusting Friends,
 Apparently my ideas for building a wardrobe with the curating challenges were so strong I sent them telepathically to bloggers who took my ideas and wrote fabulous blog posts or series on it.

Seriously though, I think it is just a level sewists get to at some point. We've made a few things we really love and fit well and we want to continue that. It's so hard to go back to store bought clothes when you realize you can make one that will fit and feel so much better, plus all the feel good conservationist, DIY vibes. Most of us want to live organized and uncluttered lives, or at least pinterest makes us think we do; and that spills into our closets.

Pinspiration

First up is a fabulous piece from Tasha of By Gum, By Golly. You all have probably already read it but I recently discovered her blog and I love the intuitive approach she takes to her closet. It's not dependent on trends, styles or others. She's beginning the wardrobe journey by focusing and analyzing her own clothes that have been tested by her life. She raises several good points that are well worth rereading.

Secondly is Colette's Wardrobe Architect. She totally stole my vibes, dug into them and made a wonderfully detailed, cohesive plan. Even if you don't jump into it fully, her posts are well worth the reading and thinking about, especially when she starts discussing the practical stuff.

I enjoyed the croquis posts one and two by Gloria & Me. It's a great way to experiment with different silhouettes without going to all the work of sewing it up and then finding out you don't like it on your body. Plus it's fun! Like playing paper dolls again but with the ability to make it real!

My actual closet stash last year...

So how does all this wardrobe planning help with our fabric stashes? Hopefully we'll walk away full of ideas to use up the stash, but it's also a preventative measure. Hopefully we can take what we've learned and be more discerning in our fabric and pattern choices. Do I wear silk? No? Then I probably shouldn't buy it. Do I have 5 dress patterns with that same silhouette already? Yes? Then I probably don't need another. Personally I was amazed at how many patterns I liked/had stashed that were almost identical, especially when it came to dresses and tops!

How about you? Have you found any similarities in the fabrics and patterns you buy?