Thursday, May 5, 2011

A Rainbow of Packing and Stashoholism Confessional: Thrift Store Edition

A Rainbow of Packing

I can't believe Cidell and I leave on our bike trip tomorrow!!!! I have been sewing like crazy (as per usual for trips), each time saying, "This is the last one, I promise." I was not supposed to set foot in the sewing room last night, but I found myself sneaking in a wool jersey shrug at the last minute. When I confessed my inability to stop sewing, I was accused of fitting the profile of this Onion article. Lol.

The list of items I have sewn for this trip:
-6 tops
-4 skirts
-2 sweaters
-2 shrugs
-2 scarves
-4 ersatz "packing cubes" (mesh bags with zippers)
-rain pants
-rain pullover
-rain spats
-rain mitts
(the rain helmet cover is for home use; helmets aren't worn in the Netherlands as the bike paths are off the roadway)

OK, that is a little crazy, I admit. I made a list three weeks ago with 7 things on it; I finished the list and made an additional sweater, shrug, and the packing cubes. It's been a busy three weeks!

Mini Wardrobe Spring 2011But worth it! I started packing last night and was just tickled by my rainbow of clothing, building on the items I sewed for the mini wardrobe contest. Each top goes with at least two skirts and vice-versa. I am bringing 6 skirts and 6 tops for 10 days of clothing needs, so one of each will only get one wear. I tried to pare down a skirt and only bring 5, but honestly I felt like I would have been leaving one of my children behind. Not sure I should admit that.

There is no wifi on the boat so I am not bringing my computer and likely won't post again until I get back. Cidell is my best photographer so I hope to have lots of great pictures of all these projects to show you. Cross your fingers for blue skies!

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DeBois Textiles, 4-2011 Cidell and I have been doing training rides for the trip, and on our Gwynns Falls ride we stopped at DeBois Textiles. What a fantastic thrift/vintage store! The front is a well-curated collection of vintage clothing and shoes, extremely well-priced for the vintage market. The front also has a surprisingly large collection of textiles (hard to tell if they are vintage or not). The textiles are mostly home dec, but I did find one fabulous piece that can be used for garment sewing. I didn't make the photo very exciting, but it's a jacquard in off-white and my favorite shade of green.

How perfect is Burda 05-2011-108 for this fabric? I didn't even realize until I looked at it again that it calls for jacquard, and recommends using both sides of the fabric--which I was planning to do. The pattern is perfect for me as it is both professional (with some more shoulder coverage) and bikeable. The holy grail!

43 comments:

Lindsay said...

I love what you have prepared for your trip. I hope you have a ton of fun! Please reconsider wearing a helmet whenever riding your bike. Falls can happen even when cars aren't around and hitting your head the wrong way can mean big trouble. Better to be safe than sorry!

Debbie Cook said...

I wouldn't know which item(s) to leave behind either. Besides, a girl has to have choices. That rainbow of outfits is awesome!

Have a GREAT time and safe travels!

Adelaide B said...

Have a great time!

Kitty Couture said...

You and Cidell have a great time! You are going to be the cutest-dressed biker in all of Europe.

Tasia said...

Have an awesome time! You've really planned well for your trip, now getting dressed will be easy and you're guaranteed to look great! While you're away I will be poking through your archives, looking for bike-friendly sewing tips :)

KID, MD said...

Love that top photo. The rainbow of clothes! What an impressive wardrobe!

Karin said...

Have a great time on your trip! I cannot believe how much you have sewn for it. I look forward to seeing a few pictures of your adventures in Holland. :-)

Unknown said...

Have fun on your trip! Your vacation clothes are so colorful and fun!

Could you post a picture of your packing cubes? I just bought some material to make some, and am curious how you assembled them.

Little Hunting Creek said...

what pretty colors! They make me feel happy just looking at them. Have a wonderful trip!

Meg said...

Have a fantastic time!

a little sewing said...

goodness, your rainbow of separates is making me light-headed. I need to sew a similar wardrobe and I don't have any biking to do other than the trails around home. Must follow through on this motivating example!! I look forward to seeing photos when you return. HAVE A BLAST!!

Marie-Christine said...

Wow, that is soooo impressive :-)! I'm sure both of you will have a great time...

liza jane said...

Your trip sounds like so much! I'm amazed at how prolific you are.

Anonymous said...

Have a wonderful trip. Can't wait to hear all about it!

Eugenia said...

Have a wonderful time. You are certainly going to be fabulously well dressed throughout your trip!

Val said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
McVal said...

Oh my goodness! Have a wonderful time!!! Take 2 suit cases! You don't want to leave any of these lovelys behind...

Sew-4-Fun said...

Safe travels and have a great time! I'll cross my fingers for no storms or rain. Can't wait to see the photos when you return.

Claire S. said...

Is it time already? You sewed a fabulous wardrobe - what a rainbow of colors. Have a great trip !!!

AllisonC said...

Have a brilliant time - your wardrobe looks gorgeous, I love all the colours!

cidell said...

OMG! I am packing two skirts and three tops. You are going to be sick of seeing and smelling me. Hehe. See you tomorrow!

ELMO said...

What a great selection, and so colorful, you both are going to have such a great time! Have fun.

Mrs. Micawber said...

Bon voyage!

Faye Lewis said...

Have fun, be safe and enjoy your beautiful wardrobe.

kbenco said...

Your wardrobe looks so good. I hope you have a wonderful trip, and use all your clothes!

Anonymous said...

(coming out of my lurking corner)

Enjoy your trip to my home country :) Unfortunately most of the tulips fields have 'died out', but you might still be able to see some late bloomers! And there's always Keukenhof :)

AuntieAllyn said...

I am sure you're going to be the best-dressed cyclist they've ever seen!! Bon Voyage!

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

Have a wonderful trip!

Anonymous said...

That "don't need a bike helmet in the Netherlands" comment makes me nervous. Helmets protect heads that hit the ground. And heads hit the ground not just when cars hit bikes but when cyclists encounter flat tires, sudden stops, sand or water on the path, dogs running across the path right in front of them (true story!).... A friend of mine is brain-damaged from a completely unprovoked bike crash last summer - no car in sight. Wear your dang helmets and protect your precious grey matter, you two!!

Nethwen said...

Oooh! Wow! Ahh! Whoa!

It was several seconds after seeing your first picture before my brain returned to coherent thought and told me to close my mouth. I love your cycling clothes! They are colorful, but classy. I'd never believe it was meant to be an athletic wardrobe.

I hope you have lots of adventures on your trip and take lots of pictures to prove to people that neither athletic adventures nor traveling requires boring, frumpy, or ugly clothes.

This wardrobe is beautiful!

BeckyMc said...

Have wonderful time. Blue skies and clear sailing to you!

Clio said...

Have a great trip!

KC said...

I'm so impressed and jealous. Have a wonderful trip!

Lara900 said...

Have a great trip, and pack that helmet! (this is from someone who has biked tons and tons all over Europe, and has often been the odd one out wearing a helmet: just because my brain's worth it)

hilde said...

Looking good!! Have a nice trip and hopefully until next week, I'm joining Sigrid and some others to meet you and Cidell! Very excited already!

Hilde

Uta said...

Your rainbow of a wardrobe looks wonderful! This weekend will be sunny and warm, so you're off to a great start. Have a fun trip!

Dana said...

That first picture gives me wardrobe envy! I love it. You two are going to have so much fun!! Can't wait to hear from you when you get back.

Noile said...

Glorious wardrobe! Happy cycling, and here's another vote for helmets . . . Mr. Noile has scars on his face and arms from a slow-speed bike crash many years ago. Happily, his brain is unaffected. Don't go risking yours!

Mary said...

Have a wonderful trip, and be safe. Your wardrobe makes ME smile-so I can only guess how happy it makes you!

MushyWear said...

You are so prepared! Hope it is the trip of a life time! Can't wait to see the pics and read all about it when you return!

TracyKM said...

I like the line drawing of the Burda dress, but the description on the website said "small framed girl" and that's not me :(
There's a PSA commercial in Canada right now that says a child can suffer a serious head injury at 7km/hr. I'm sure you'll be riding faster than that, and you're taller than a child....human heads don't know the difference between being smushed on a road or smushed on a bike trail. Like others, I hope you reconsidered the helmet :)
I love the colours and patterns of your skirts!

Dr. Z said...

Lovely wardrobe! Have a great time and be safe.

Erika Mulvenna said...

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