Meet Flo & See What Handmade Clothes I'm Ripping Out

My Inner Critic:

Me:  




My Inner Critic: 

 "Ripping out?!  WTH, Gwen?  Didn't you specifically tell some knitting friends that you never ever rip? And over such gorgeous fabrics."

"Well, yes and yes I did. But you know what? These fabrics are too good to keep in the form of clothing that doesn't suit.  I wore them, enjoyed them. The fabric is still good. So Pbbbt! I'm making them into something new."

"Whatever. You'll probably never finish. I hope it's at least something usable and functional. And remember to never say never. Sheesh!"

Well now, there's a little insight into that nasty inner critic goblin that beats me up for every decision.  Is yours as rude?  

As you can probably tell, I'm clearing and cleaning my stash as well as my closet.  I made 2 of the 3 pieces you see below.  

• The cardigan is a Marcy Tilton pattern, V8559 made of orange stretch boiled wool that is only a few mm thick.  
• The cowl/scarf is a piece I designed & made after buying the lovely purple stretch wool from Josephine's Dry Goods, which sadly, closed in September 2013.  
  

The animal print top below is a RTW tank that I wear for yoga, walking, dance and working out to Tracy Anderson videos.

The cardigan was fun to wear for a while, but as you can see, it rather emphasizes my behind and widens my body at it's smallest point (my waist).  I'm curvy and quite short waisted. Because of that, I need more fitted garments otherwise I look like a block. And the more I looked at myself in the cardigan, the more I didn't quite feel like I looked my best. And I've gained a little around my middle lately, so I prefer to not wear such tight fitting garments as the animal print work out top sans a cover-up. 

The cowl never was finished. I couldn't bring myself to sew up the ends.  I don't know why either. Just never felt right.

Now I'm sure, if you read the title, you're still wondering, "Who is this Flo you speak of?"  Meet Flo, my curvy paper-tape body double.  I introduced her to you when I wrote about Jan Bones class on making a Paper Tape Dress Form.  Well, to show her off a little more, I took photos of just the form with the negative ease animal print RTW tank you see above.  I named her Flo because all I see are curves that flow in and out and around and up and down almost so fast that if you blinked, you'd miss the turn.  For once in my life, I feel neutral looking at my body.  In fact, I see better now why things don't fit in certain areas and I've been able to fit pieces on it, then sew and produce amazingly perfect fitting clothing. So here we Flo again!