The One Where the Haberdasher Opens

In the middle of 2024 my partner and I finally did something that we have been talking about for at least the past 5 years if not more. We moved to New Zealand! Well, technically moved back, since he is a Kiwi and I have lived here for short periods in the past, but that doesn't sound as dramatic. As any crafty person would attest - it takes a while to set up ones atelier. Extra procrastination points if points if it was an international move. However I can guarantee that the fingers will start to become restless, your mind will wonder about the new pattern releases and the frustration will grown due to your overzealous closet decluttering before the move, creating some serious gaps in your closet as a result. So you start wondering into a few stores but-there-is-nothing-that-you-like-and-nothing-fits-well-and-gosh-darn-it-I-can-make-better-and-cheaper-than-that..... Hmm... maybe it isn't such a good idea that that the blog with a good ol' fashioned rant.

At any rate I have been stealing more and more moments from my to-do-lists and spending them on Pinterest. Currently it is probably 70% populated with fashion inspirations from the 1950's and the rest something that is a little more realistic for a day to day wardrobe, so there is some planing to do. There are a few things that I definitely know I need to make and a few loose ends to tie. Also known as UFOs.

Skirts

In the beginning of 2024 I made a skirt block which in turn served as a base for a pencil skirt. It turned out great and I loved it - that is until the black dye of the fabric faded. It looks rather sad and worn out now because of it. So a summer lighter colour pencil skirt is in order. I will be using some linen heavy weight remnant from The Fabric Store in the colourway Bone. I also have another linen fabric, this time stripped and from Tessuti Fabrics, that is destined for a skirt as well. I am leaning towards pleated skirt however I need to play with the fabric to see what looks best.

Tops

My closet mostly consists of button down shirts and one black wrap top which just like anything else I have made that is black has faded to a sad state. So it I think it would be nice to expand the top styles to choose from in the mornings with a few more wrap tops and a couple of button down tops with a twist. I have also been eyeing The Maker Atelier Tie Front Blouse or perhaps How to do Fashion Vanløse Blouse.

Dresses

I love wearing dresses around the house, I love wearing them when I do out, I love them full stop. On my wishlist the are quite a few elaborate and time consuming projects, so to warm myself up I think a few less ambitious casual dresses would be in order. While flipping through my options StyleArc Sydney dress caught my eye with its cosy cocoon shape. I am thinking to use a muted yellow linen from Spotlight, I bought it years ago before I realised that yellow is not my colour, so for wearing around the house that will be perfect. 

Trousers

When it comes to trousers, there is only one option for me. They have to be wide legged, sit on the actual wait and have a pleat. Luckily those kind of trousers have been having a comeback so there are plenty to choose from. While I know that there going to be plenty of wool trousers come winter, at the moment I need something for summer. Thought currently as I am writing this a few days before Christmas 2024, the weather in Wellington is having a wee bit of a  temper tantrum with a 100km/h winds and rain. I am not complaining since it actually fills a little like Christmas for the first time since I left Europe... Got off the topic again. I need summer trousers, the two I have made previously need to be replaced. One has gotten far too big and the other was make from the same black fabric as the pencil skirt and looks sad and worn out. I am debating between the StyleArc Atlas trousers or making another Wearing History Smooth Sailor pair, maybe one of each?

UFO's

Case number one - a circle skirt made from a rustic stripped linen. All it technically needs is a hem and snaps for closures, however... My partner called it a bohemian gypsy skirt and now I can't unsee it. He is right, the fabric is too much for the skirt. When I am wearing it looks like I am cosplaying a lovechild of Jack Sparrow and 60s bohemian flower girl. Which doesn't sound bad except I don't know where I would wear it, so I think I want to refashion it into a wrap top. 

Case number two - Sew Over It Martha dress. I love that pattern. The toile fit me perfectly with only one minor alteration (needed to elongate the bodice). However the fabric is driving me insane. I tested the fabric before starting the project as any good seamstress should - figured out the tension, get to know how the fabric behaves etc and everything looked great. However as soon as I started to sew the actual garment the threads kept snagging and a white line appeared on the black background. I tried everything I could think of and nothing worked so currently the project has been banished to the naughty corner. 

Mending

I don't think I need to expand on that pile. 

Image sources

The image sources can be found on my Pinterest board Fashion // 2025 // Shortlist or on the main board Fashion // Mood Board.