Vogue 1251, The Jane Eyre Dress, Finished

Reader, I've finished (forgive me, I couldn't help myself)!

Isn't it pretty?  I had another collar--one in two pieces--that turned out a bit too small.  I went to the flea market, and like magic, this pretty little scrap of delicate lace was waiting for me to scoop it up!

You can see in this picture that it doesn't quite meet in the back.  I don't mind, though.

The pattern has been modified a bit in my finished dress.  I raised the neckline about two inches all around, and changed the straight skirt to a semi-circle.  Other than my changes, this dress has some neat details.  I love the zippers on the sleeves, and the fun way they're pieced together!  It adds some interest to what is a rather austere garment.

There is one little problem with this dress, though.  The sleeves.  As drafted, there was a ridiculous amount of ease in the sleeves.  They were billowy and unflattering.  So I rashly decided to take out some yardage.  While the sleeves fit well and look good, they are a bit, um, restrictive.  The fabric is wool (I suspect a blend, though), and has zero give whatsoever.  As long as I don't try to reach for anything above shoulder height, it should be fine!

Goldenrod Silk Skirt

I've been not a very busy bee lately.  Actually, a lazy bee would be quite accurate!

I'm out of work (but I'll be starting soon! Yay!)  and all I want to do with myself is read and bake cookies.  And then eat said cookies.  I've even started writing several novels (all pretty terrible, if I do say so myself!) in my spare time.  

One thing I haven't been doing too much of is sewing.  I don't have many clothes.  Changing body shape made most of my old clothes obsolete.  You'd think, though, that this would be motivation to sew like a madwoman and make a whole new wardrobe.  A year ago, it would have.  Lately, however, I've been thinking about things. I like having little.  I like the feeling of looking in my closet and intimately knowing everything there.  And intensely loving everything there.  However, it means that I'll be spacing out projects.

When I look into my wardrobe, I see solid, rich colors in flattering shapes.  Simple dresses and separates that combine to make my style completely me.  The outfit below represents my style perfectly.  

And would do it even better if my sister hadn't cut off my Weejuns.

This skirt is one of my recent projects. The silk suiting is slightly nubby and slubby in this gorgeous golden color, and the pleats are one of my favorite details.  

Of course, we can't make everything we wear (well, we could, but you know what I mean!).  And buying only a few things has allowed me to focus on good, sturdy, and slightly luxurious ones.  Like this sweater, a super-soft cashmere cable-knit.

I'm glad of my new thoughtfulness in dressing and consumption; I hope it'll help me in my ongoing quest to become a responsible, thoughtful, mature person of the world.  What do you think of the new trend toward reducing consumption?

Garnet