Acquisitions Log #1

As promised I am keeping a rigorous log of items of clothing that I acquire.

In the area that I live in, people often dump their stuff on the curb/green strip.  It is common to see used TVs and furniture out exposed to the elements.  Often bags of rubbish are added to the growing pile as people are too lazy to walk to the bins.  But I digress.  Sometimes people also dump their clothes in bags on the sidewalk as well.  This time I was lucky and managed to scavenge a pile of stuff and so I am pretty much set for the cooler months.

Items that were acquired on 3rd January 2012:

• MNG wide leg trousers
• Temt shift top
• Avocado cream knitted long cardigan
• H&M oatmeal (such an overused descriptive word) pureed banana, malt milkshake short-sleeve cardigan
• Swamp coloured vest top
• Red Berry striped jumper
• A bunch of jewellery

Print Your Own Fabric

One of my favourite things to do is to print my own fabric.  I like the process of picking and drawing the design, tracing and cutting and finally printing it onto the material.  Not that I can sew or anything, after I make the material it is hoarded away in the cupboard.

Some material prints I have done, in case you need some ideas!

• Black stencil style rose on jewel purple satin.
• A very simple mandala in black on cream coloured cotton.
• Black horse shapes printed on cream cotton.
• Little stencil cameras in black printed on cream linen.  Blue and red stripes were also printed on the material.
• A big anchor in black on a red and white striped bag.

The key is to choose a image or pattern that is simple.  It makes tracing and cutting the design a lot easier.  Some other simple shapes would be clouds, stars, silhouettes of dogs or people.  Choosing a design with lots of straight lines instead of curved lines will also make the cutting stage easier too.

After you pick your design, resize to desired size or tile it if you're planning to print a pattern.  I usually use acetate sheets (also called overhead transparency sheets) to make my stencil.  Another way is to trace your design onto a sheet of lino and then carve the shape out.  Although I haven't tried this method, I think this method is better but you will need to purchase lino carving tools and the lino blocks.

Now if your printer is capable, you can print it directly onto the plastic sheet.  If not, print it onto white paper.


Now you have two ways to do this.  You can trace the design onto your plastic sheet using a permanent marker.  Or you can tape the paper to the plastic sheet and then begin cutting.  I prefer to carefully trace the design onto the plastic as sometimes the paper can move when you are cutting it if you just taped it together.  Sometimes if I am being really anal I will tape the plastic and paper together AND THEN trace the design onto the plastic.

The last step is optional but I like smooth curves and straight lines.  To fix any wobbly edges I cover it with clear sticky tape and then I trim and shape it to a smoother edge using a pair of sharp scissors.


Finally, you can get to the fun part!  It's times to print onto the material.  I use Permaset printing ink since it is water soluble so it is easier to clean.  I recommend you use natural fibres like cotton for printing on since you will be applying heat to the material in the curing process.

The printing process:

1. Using a plate or a ice cream lid, place some of the ink on it.
2. Get your sponge roller and roll it over the ink until the roller is loaded with ink.
3. I usually do a test run on a scrap piece of material (see the first picture) to make sure that I am happy with the stencil.
4. Place some newspaper or cardboard underneath the material so you don't make a mess.  Make sure the material is flat and smooth with no wrinkles or creases.
5. Place the stencil onto the material.  Carefully pass the roller over the stencil a few times until the material is well saturated with colour.
6. Carefully peel off the stencil.  Admire your handiwork.
7. Wipe the excess off the stencil, making sure not to get any ink onto the side where the stencil comes in contact with the material.
8. After the ink has dried, you have to cure the ink.  Your tub of ink should have instructions, it involves an iron and heat.
9. Repeat the printing process to your heart's content.

List #2

I am slowly slogging my way through the many seasons of The X-Files, I am up to the second season now.  The clothing in it is distinctly from the 90s, very boxy shapes and baggy overcoats.  I really like the banter and relationship between Mulder and Scully.

Nip/Tuck is a bit of a obsession for me right now, it's so easy to watch. I don't have to think too much when I watch it...except when they do surgeries, my advice is to not be eating when you're watching.

Forbrydelsen has to go onto my list of all time favourite TV shows.  I spent two weeks obsessed with the show and after the resolution of the case, I am still thinking about the show.  Lund is such a different female character from other crime shows eg. Castle or Bones or CSI  True they are different shows within the same genre but Lund is so refreshing as a character...she just wants to get the job done.  She is stubborn, determined and so very intelligent.  It's also more realistic than other crime shows - mistakes are made, people hide the truth, people are multi-faceted... not that much gun waving or dramatic arrests.  I mean that in a good way too.

Other current favourites:  Sherlock (BBC), the Good Wife, and Borgen.

What shows do you like to watch?

Inventory - Version 1

After seeing Dead Fleurette do an inventory of her wardrobe, I felt the urge to catalogue what is in mine as well.  I'm not very fashionable but I do want to try and make sure I wear as many of my items as possible.  This isn't really useful for you since there are no pictures but it's more to remind myself of what I have.  Clothes that are too worn to wear out are relegated to the 'wear at home' category which is not shown below.  

For the most part, 2011 was a year where I made a conscious effort to consume less, buy less new stuff and buy more used clothing.  To consider each purchase carefully, regardless of whether it was in the department store or charity store.  For 2012, I am going to try and keep a rigorous log of what I buy.

Next to each item will be one or more coloured circles.  The legend for it is as follows.
• Items that I wear on a regular basis
• Items that I should wear more frequently
• Never worn, will wear
• Never worn, not sure what to do with it
• Item is too big/small, too worn or not my style.  Get rid of it, donate, or sell.
Items that are in italics were purchased new.
* These are for a specific use ie job interviews, corporate wear.  I am buying for the future, so to speak.

Outerwear •MNG boucle coat •Supre denim jacket •Temt biker jacket •Beige blazer •Target grey wool  overcoat  •Vintage navy overcoat Button Up Shirts •Floral paisley print shirt •Van Heusen purple striped shirt •Black 3/4 stretchy shirt Short-sleeve shirts •Grey graphic print  T-shirt  ••White Audrey Hepburn graphic print T-shirt  •Beige graphic print  T-shirt  •Supre black T-shirt  •Supre black loose  shirt •Supre peach loose shirt •Glasson black loose top •Country Road navy loose top •Just Jeans black top with white pussy bow •Cream w/ black blow print T-shirt •Target striped shirt

Long-sleeve shirt •Target dark grey shirt •Mink Pink black and white shirt •Grey and white 3/4 raglan shirt Knits & Jumpers •Max Mara cream wool cardigan ••Thin black & grey stripe cardigan •French Connection striped pullover •Ally grey turtleneck •Target stone coloured short sleeve cardigan  ••Cotton On grey  hoodie  Trousers and Shorts •Missoni black slim trousers •Black stretchy flared trousers •French Connection check shorts •Quirky Circus tweed shorts   •ASOS dusty plum shorts

Jeans ••Lee Rider black jeans •Lee Rider dark blue  jeans  •Lee Rider blue jeans  •Levi blue jeans Skirts •French Connection geometric print cotton skirt •Saba denim pencil skirt •Green tie-dyed summer skirt *Witchery grey wool pencil skirt Dresses •Cotton On stripe and chambray summer dress  Footwear •Vintage brown leather lace up ankle boots •Target low wedge peep toes  •Target black wedge sandals  •I Heart Billy black ballet flats •Ziera clompy red flats  ••Gladiator sandals *Sandler black leather pumps  Bags •Vintage Oroton brown leather shoulder bag •ASOS black slouchy shoulder bag * Black Oroton 'Ebony' bag

My favourite clothes to wear are jeans and T-shirts as they are a comfy combination.  Also I don't have to think too much in regards to dressing when I am rushing for the train to get to a 9am lecture.  I am most definitely not a skirt or dress person, I will reluctantly wear them when I have absolutely nothing else to wear.  I am not sure what to do with the skirts and dress I have, the pencil skirt is especially nice... I might wear it one day.  The print on the French Connection skirt is very cute and colourful.  It reminds me of ice creams and sunny days. 

Shoes that fit well are very hard to find in charity stores, it is even harder to find ones that are in good condition.  So I think for shoes I will have to buy new.  Right now I am looking for a new backpack for school since the zip is busted beyond repair on my current one.

For 2012 I am looking for a pair of ballet flats preferably in black or dark caramel or sandals, a pair of slim leg black trousers and a new hoodie or wool coat.  I am eternally searching for long sleeved clothes as my arms are longer than average.  Sometimes I put on a jacket and the sleeves are at least 2 inches away from my wrist.  Bracelet length, my ass.  Finding clothes that fit is the bane of my existence.