What started as a generalized grumpiness about the time I started packing up our house last April has evolved into a resolve and a search for a better way. I'm extremely blessed that I work out of our home (wherever it might be) and can drop everything at a moment's notice to sit in front of the offending closet (or drawer or area) and contemplate just what is bugging me. Too much stuff. And not enough of it well-thought-out, satisfying, or necessary.
Over the past two years I've been making, following, and learning about Alabama Chanin and Natalie Chanin, the founder of the company. Through Alabama Chanin I've been introduced to EcoSalon and the essays on sustainable fashion, accountability and choice found there. The web of information has grown steadily and is helping me make some personal decisions about what I wear, what I buy, and how I think about it before buying it.
The whole buying stuff from China thing has been challenging and frustrating and it involves more than just reading labels. It involves taking time to decide what it is I'm ready to buy, researching, and most likely waiting for it. Taking a lot of spontaneity out of shopping. Which actually ties in with the larger picture, which is being more conscious of what I'm purchasing and why.
To that end I've discovered, and embraced, Project 333. Every three months you choose 33 items that you'll wear. This doesn't (thank God) include workout wear, undies, pjs. But it does include shoes (gasp), and accessories. I've already boxed up a good deal of clothing that I won't be wearing in the next three months and I have three more days to hone it down to 33 items. Stay tuned!
Just to make things more challenging, I'm going to attempt the Seam Allowance Project, which challenges one to make 25% of what she wears. I don't actually consider this too unweildy for me, since I've been making Alabama Chanin camisoles, dresses, and now t-shirts for the last couple of years. They fit me perfectly, I get to choose the fabric and the colors, and it satisfies my craving to make things while I don't have a metal-work studio. The challenge will be what to give up in exchange for the handmade.
Two patterns I just downloaded are for a Wiksten tank top:
And for a Andrea Zittel smock, which I am going to make in the style of Alabama Chanin reverse applique.
Neither of these will affect the first three months of the 333 project, but hopefully will contribute to a warmer three month wardrobe, sometime in 2013.
So - to sum it up...
Three months, 33 items to wear. 25%, or about 8 items, to be handmade (this realistically may have to be a goal for the 2nd three month challenge). As much as possible (50%? 75%) to be made in the USA.
On October 1st I'll post my 33 items and have a breakdown as to where everything was made. Then I can set some goals for the next three months, which will begin in January. If anyone out there would like to join me; I'd love the company, the support, and someone to share the pain with. Just let me know in the comments that you are in.
Now if I can only find similar projects for clearing out the clutter in the rest of our household - we'll be on our way to a simpler, smaller house.
This post really spoke to me as it has been something that has been on my mind for a while. Thanks for sharing the links, I can't wait to check them out. I'll let you know if I am game to take the project on!
Posted by: Sewserena.wordpress.com | October 07, 2012 at 03:31 PM
Hi Serena,
Let me say that my first week was a refreshing breeze.... just going to that one drawer was a pleasure in and of itself, and then there is the fact that by the time you get to just 33 pieces you have honed your clothing down to the pieces you really like... so I'm not trying to pull an outfit together out of stuff I think I should be wearing but instead stuff that I actually LIKE wearing!
Posted by: Magpie | October 08, 2012 at 07:57 AM