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photo(3)

Practical Clothing

Taylor McVay November 13, 2013

This week I finished up a windbreaker. I had some rust orange ripstop nylon in my stash for years - yes, years - just waiting to be made into something. photo(3)

I used fluorescent orange utility cord for the drawstring and fluorescent yellow bias tape for the casing and I quite like the effect. The utility cord is a little on the stiff side- it sticks out rather than hangs. Not so bad I guess, since I do really like the look of it, not to mention the nice visibility factory.

20131108-170107.jpgI added a zippered pocket for keeping little things in and stitched it into the hem to attempt to prevent the dreaded pocket bag hole.

20131108-170050.jpg

I decided to base the design on a 1970's McCall zip up jacket pattern.  I changed the design quite a lot...mostly I didn't have a good block of my own to work with. After completing the windbreaker, I realize I should have opted for the later. The pattern has a drop sleeve, rather than one set-in traditionally, which I feel like has less mobility though it is more roomy. I was going for mobility with this windbreaker, since I plan to wear it running.

That's another thing...

I've never been an athletic person - in the slightest - so this is incredibly new territory for me. I even tried running multiple times in the past and hated it. Something was different the last time I decided to give it a shot. Now I'm hooked and, in general, I really like the way I feel getting this much exercise. Though it's presented me with a problem: What on earth do I wear?

Screen shot 2013-11-08 at 5.06.06 PM

I am not fond of jewel tones, which for some reason tends to be the color palette of the majority of athletic wear for women. I've decided I will start making myself pieces for running, especially winter running, that are a marriage of performance AND style. This windbreaker is the first piece in this puzzle.

20131113-082422.jpg

Now that it's getting even colder in New England, I have ordered some recycled woolblend polartec fleece from the mill that produces Polartec in Lawrence, MA. Very psyched...I love when fabric sourcing is super local.

Do any of you who run/play sports/work out feel similarly disappointed with your clothing options? Ever made any active wear?

 

 

 

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#blueprintsmoderne #kalleshirtdress #handknits #handmadewardrobe
Nothing like an outfit of all your favorite colors and me mades take your mind off the deceptively sunny 39 degree April weather. ☀️❄️🤷🏻‍♀️ #blueprintsmoderne #kalleshirtdress #handknits #handmadewardrobe
One of these days I’m going to get this loom setup and start weaving... maybe during summer vacation? Too many crafts, too little time 😌
One of these days I’m going to get this loom setup and start weaving... maybe during summer vacation? Too many crafts, too little time 😌
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My MIL makes this really amazing deodorant - @dabdeodorant . It’s vegan and organic and smells lovely (not too strong) and actually works really well. Most deodorants (even natural ones) really irritate my skin, but this stuff is super gentle and it works really well, too! Especially after a marathon day of teaching. If you’re into natural body products, or just want to support an awesome woman owned small business, check it out! ✨🙌
I’ve been part of a coven of small business crafty ladies for a few years and it’s been a tremendous experience. Today we had our last meeting before one of us moves to a different state. We ate lots of snacks and talked about projects and drew cards for the future. Our group will continue in new ways, but it felt right to mark the occasion. 💫
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Sharing in struggles and being open and listening is a wonderful way to build community, small or large. I’m still working on a blog post about how we’ve structured our group. Hopefully one day I’ll finish it and it can be of some use to others!🧡 (😘 @khgarts @eloise.draws @eyetradehandmade )
I’ve been part of a coven of small business crafty ladies for a few years and it’s been a tremendous experience. Today we had our last meeting before one of us moves to a different state. We ate lots of snacks and talked about projects and drew cards for the future. Our group will continue in new ways, but it felt right to mark the occasion. 💫 ... Sharing in struggles and being open and listening is a wonderful way to build community, small or large. I’m still working on a blog post about how we’ve structured our group. Hopefully one day I’ll finish it and it can be of some use to others!🧡 (😘 @khgarts @eloise.draws @eyetradehandmade )
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Finally getting around to finishing this crazy appliqué top! All scraps from my stash, stitched onto a top salvaged from a dress gone wrong. Still changing some shapes around but liking the progress so far... #applique #scrapbusting
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Testing out a shaped pocket. I forgot to add seam allowance to the pocket (it happens to everyone!) so it’s a bit on the small side. I’m also not sure how it will hold up in this slinky linen. But it’s super cool Iooking so I’m giving it an 8.5/10! ✨ #patterndrafting #sewing #ilovepockets
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I feel very strongly about pockets big enough to hold a notebook.🧡📓#handmadefashion #blueprintsmoderne #giantpockets
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Just browsing through some bits from my sewing ephemera collection. I’ve collected it for years and really cherish the bits when I find them but rarely have a look through later on. Maybe I should open a museum... 🤔🏫
Participated in the 2nd annual Community Arts Advocacy Day today in Franklin MA. A fantastic event with workshops, networking, and an awesome panel discussion with intelligent and passionate folks from arts organizations around Mass. Thanks to everyone who came out today to participate and to the #franklinculturalcouncil !
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Here’s @chairstarz and I in the photobooth I created for the event.(You can see some more behind the scenes in my stories!) #caad2018 #artsmatter #advocacy
Participated in the 2nd annual Community Arts Advocacy Day today in Franklin MA. A fantastic event with workshops, networking, and an awesome panel discussion with intelligent and passionate folks from arts organizations around Mass. Thanks to everyone who came out today to participate and to the #franklinculturalcouncil ! ... Here’s @chairstarz and I in the photobooth I created for the event.(You can see some more behind the scenes in my stories!) #caad2018 #artsmatter #advocacy
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Nothing like an outfit of all your favorite colors and me mades take your mind off the deceptively sunny 39 degree April weather. ☀️❄️🤷🏻‍♀️
#blueprintsmoderne #kalleshirtdress #handknits #handmadewardrobe One of these days I’m going to get this loom setup and start weaving... maybe during summer vacation? Too many crafts, too little time 😌 My MIL makes this really amazing deodorant - @dabdeodorant . It’s vegan and organic and smells lovely (not too strong) and actually works really well. Most deodorants (even natural ones) really irritate my skin, but this stuff is super gentle and it works really well, too! Especially after a marathon day of teaching. If you’re into natural body products, or just want to support an awesome woman owned small business, check it out! ✨🙌 I’ve been part of a coven of small business crafty ladies for a few years and it’s been a tremendous experience. Today we had our last meeting before one of us moves to a different state. We ate lots of snacks and talked about projects and drew cards for the future. Our group will continue in new ways, but it felt right to mark the occasion. 💫
...
Sharing in struggles and being open and listening is a wonderful way to build community, small or large. I’m still working on a blog post about how we’ve structured our group. Hopefully one day I’ll finish it and it can be of some use to others!🧡 (😘 @khgarts @eloise.draws @eyetradehandmade ) Finally getting around to finishing this crazy appliqué top! All scraps from my stash, stitched onto a top salvaged from a dress gone wrong. Still changing some shapes around but liking the progress so far... #applique #scrapbusting Testing out a shaped pocket. I forgot to add seam allowance to the pocket (it happens to everyone!) so it’s a bit on the small side. I’m also not sure how it will hold up in this slinky linen. But it’s super cool Iooking so I’m giving it an 8.5/10! ✨ #patterndrafting #sewing #ilovepockets I feel very strongly about pockets big enough to hold a notebook.🧡📓#handmadefashion #blueprintsmoderne #giantpockets Just browsing through some bits from my sewing ephemera collection. I’ve collected it for years and really cherish the bits when I find them but rarely have a look through later on. Maybe I should open a museum... 🤔🏫 Participated in the 2nd annual Community Arts Advocacy Day today in Franklin MA. A fantastic event with workshops, networking, and an awesome panel discussion with intelligent and passionate folks from arts organizations around Mass. Thanks to everyone who came out today to participate and to the #franklinculturalcouncil !
...
Here’s @chairstarz and I in the photobooth I created for the event.(You can see some more behind the scenes in my stories!) #caad2018 #artsmatter #advocacy Sticking with the theme of miniatures... a demo of how to sew a shirt yoke using the #burritomethod from tonight’s shirtmaking class.
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