The State of Project Minima

Sculpture by Kiki Smith

It's been just about 4 months since I started Project Minima as a concentrated effort to reduce my consumption in the clothes industry to zero.  So far, so good.  I haven't even wanted to buy anything apparel-wise.  Once I switched consciousness and started to see my existing wardrobe of ill-fitting, unwanted stuff as potential supplies for reconstructing clothing I liked, I was off to the races! 

I started off slowly, spending a few minutes (15 or so) a day to gather, collect and sort

A Two-For Today

photo by Otto at Art Chicago 2008

First one up was a store-bought Asian-esque top that needed to get roomier.  After some debating I decided to go for the side insert trick.  (Rather than the labor-intensive, de-construction of the fabric button loops, the collar and side facings, removing and resewing all the buttons, etc., etc., etc. - that was done for the previous Mandarin top.)  Since this particular piece was made from a drape-y fabric and already patch-work looking, I thought an insert that also flowed would work just fine.  So, funky leopard skin meet Japanese print. 

The second piece is a redo of a redo that I wasn't satisfied with as soon as

Name That Color

photo by Amira Fritz

Skirt update.  Seam-ripped two panels of an old button-down straight skirt in a linen-esque fabric.  Hard color to describe...a cross between taupe and greenish-gold.  Needed to do something to make it fit again: thought of adding a panel of contrasting color, but wanted the same weight and texture as the original material.  Actually found it in my stash.  And who knows what

Skirting Vogue, Vaguely

Needlecraft June 1914 skirt pattern

Made a skirt today.  It had already been cut out awhile ago from a Vogue pattern and just needed to be sewn up.  Pretty simple.  I liked the fabric - an old fashioned cotton floral, and the style - a little odd while still being somewhat old school too.

When I finished it, however, the Vogue styling was a bit more subtle than I was expecting.  Perhaps I'll need to slim down the upper part so the lower skirt "bowing" is more exaggerated.  We'll see.

*Also check out Clothes Collages: All Floral All The Time

Sew Asian

image from Japan Talk

Re-constructed a cotton tie-dyed jacket I made when I was in my Asian-esque phase, oh seven years ago or so. 
It used to have a mandarin type collar and those corded loop and ball closures.  I kinda hated to take it apart because it was