A 10 minute read

The truth is I am a people watcher! I love looking at what people are wearing and seeing if I can work out who they are on the inside.

I confess I am addicted!

My addiction started in my teens, when I would meet friends in Melbourne City centre, on the steps of the GPO - General Post Office a landmark heritage building. It operated as a post office from 1867 - 2001. Now it’s a H&M Retail outlet.

It seemed as though everyone was running late back then, long before mobile phones.… people watching was great entertainment! By the time my friends turned up, I had worked out who people were, their back story, what they were doing and where they were going next …. totally based on what they were wearing!

Time flies when you’re having fun.

I love to wear “blending in” & “standing out” clothes.

When I dress to blend in I get results …

I really love popping into fabric stores and soaking up all the colours, textures and of course flicking through the pattern books. It’s wonderful to immerse myself in the wonder and peace of fabric and patterns. I tend to discover interesting fabric and patterns too, that I otherwise might have missed.

I have found when I dress otherwise I don’t have the same experience!

Standing out at the Melbourne Cup Races. This was Derby Day - known for its strict black and white dress code.

The Melbourne Cup is Australia’s world famous horse race held in Melbourne, Australia first Tuesday of November each year.

When I’m in a different mind space and want to meet people … then I wear different clothes with Colour, Drama & Comfort. I am ready for anything then!

It’s funny how dressing for my desired outcome actually makes me feel prepped and more times than not, I get the experience I was looking for.

I remember when I ran into an acquaintance at a paint shop. I was painting walls & ceilings of our house and had paint in my hair, face and on my glasses - some actually ended up on the walls and ceiling too. I’d run out of paint and was doing a mercy dash. I looked a sight and didn’t necessarily want to meet anyone in particular. Gosh I remember how uncomfortable I felt.

“Starting with the end in mind” (Habit 2) has been my mantra ever since I read The 7 Habits  of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey. It makes sense to prepare yourself for the result you want. It doesn’t guarantee the result but it sure does prevent the regret of “If only I had ….  wiped the paint of my face 😂.

It’s funny how Fabulous fabric and patterns are easy to find - they usually jump out and scream buy me! Finding the perfect “blend in” fabric and pattern takes more time and consideration. They seem to be a lot quieter.

Thinking about what I need in my wardrobe first, puts me in a mindset that helps me find the fabric and patterns I’m looking for, to fill my wardrobe gaps.

So how long does it take to find the particular fabric you’re looking for?

Of course I have my Process!

Doing my homework before I shop/sew is helpful.

At the event ….

• Who will I meet

• What will I be doing

• What will the weather be

• Where am I going

• How long have I got to sew

• What outcomes do I desire

Is your process different?

I’d love to hear how you prepare before shopping for your fabric.

Oh! Do tell in the comments below ⬇️

Well today my addiction is still alive and kicking …

I love to work out Sewists Style Ingredients! It’s the beginning of the plan for “A wardrobe that Works for you.”

If you need more … my Style Mentor Program is for you….

It’s a game changer when you know your unique Style Ingredients and apply this information to make the wardrobe of your dreams that .. not only represents who you are, but your unique wardrobe takes you where you want to go. The big plus is you have fun wearing it too!

So it’s already August 2023 and  if you feel your clothes don’t really represent who you are now, or you’re weary of wearing the same clothes every week, that don’t really capture who you are …

…. THEN join me for your wardrobe journey and have fun, finally finding how to create garments that capture who you are & you will love wearing everyday.

New Year = New Working Wardrobe ✅ It’s August now but not too late to join!

Linda M wrote about her recent experience with my Sewing Mentor Program:

Enjoyed Creative ideas/ seeing things from another perspective but keeping my profile in mind. She asks “what do you think of that idea? And listens so she can reshape the idea to what you will do. I enjoyed the personal connection we had, and the “give and take” of ideas. LOVED the pattern ideas. I have a lot of patterns collected from sales that I thought I would never use.

I liked … that it evolved with my needs and as I “developed” through the process.

I made use of all of it and connected with so many resources I hadn’t seen like patterns. Broadened my thinking on embellishment, trims, changing things up. Need to push myself to be more adventurous in sewing. I have sewing skills but afraid to use them sometimes.

Anne nailed it on my style. I am classic no fussy but a wild side of color and animal print, with the unexpected. Anne stayed on track with what I like, continually bringing it back to bold, touch of sparkle, classic, etc. And she really understands what makes frumpy, matronly, out of date to steer me away from those downfalls. (I am 74 and there is a fashionable way to look 74 and a dowdy, out of date way to do 74.)

Bottomline: I feel so fortunate to have found Anne as a mentor and would do it all over again!  I feel that I got more than what I wanted out of it. I got what was stated in the description and Anne was more than generous with ideas and coaching. Her personality is what brings all her mentoring to life, I think.

I confirm that the statements on her website about the mentor program are so true!:

“. It is fun, challenging and rewarding for every level of sewist. “

“You and I will talk through your game plan to result in your greater sewing successes.”

Why don’t you Subscribe to my Blog and follow me on Instagram for more adventures with Fabric, Sewing, Patterns and Life!