Thinking about the divide between what I enjoy wearing, and what I enjoy making. – The Self-Made Wardrobe Week 36

The Self-Made Wardrobe is a project where I only wear garments I’ve made.
It’s a year long experiment in getting dressed without clothing labels –
it’s a year about noticing patterns, trying things, and observing what happens.

Day 246 – Friday, April 3rd
Archer button up shirt // black tank top // jeans
black scarf // black flats // various rings

Day 247 – Saturday, April 4th
deconstructed sweater // black sweater // black tank // cascading flowers skirt
black flats // various rings

Day 248 – Sunday, April 5th
hand knit sweater dress // black leggings
black scarf // various rings

Day 249 – Monday, April 6th
Versio sweater // black tank top // jeans
robot clock necklace // various rings // black flats

Day 250 – Tuesday, April 7th
boring black sweater // black tank top // jeans
bead crochet bracelets // long necklace // various rings // black flats

Day 251 – Wednesday, April 8th
purple sweater // black tank top // graphic silk circle skirt
long necklace // various rings // black tights // black flats

Day 252 – Thursday, April 9th
boring black sweater // black tank top // jeans
black scarf // robot necklace // bead crochet bracelets // rings // black flats

There’s a pretty huge divide between what I enjoy wearing, and what I enjoy making.

The clothes I like wearing, are basic, straightforward, wearable, subtle.
The projects I like making, are large, intricate, details, colorful.

These points are all true.

And yet, What is also true?

I love wearing my Versio sweater, which is in no way subtle.
I love making simple projects with exquisite details that no one will see.

I love wearing my purple sweater, which is not subtle either.
And my hand knit sweater dress – which I’d never have picked up if I hadn’t made it – but having made it, I like wearing it.

I loved making my graphic silk circle skirt, which isn’t loud or complicated, but is the only piece in my wardrobe people ask me if I’ve made.
I find hand sewing & stockinette in the round, both incredibly boring, and at the same time, meditative & immensely satisfying.

And what is also, also true?

If there is a venn diagram of what I enjoy making, and what I enjoy wearing:
– some projects live in one circle,
– some projects live in the other circle,
– some projects live in the center where the circles overlap,
– and some projects are sneaky, they live in one circle, but look like they belong in the other,
– and other projects look like they belong outside the venn diagram, while actually living in the center of it,
– and still other projects look like they would fit in perfectly, while actually living in the land of things I don’t like making or wearing.

And if that’s not enough confusion for a Friday morning, I don’t know what is.