Do you still own clothes that you wore when you were young, and just cannot trow away? Do you have clothes hanging in your closet that doesn’t fit anymore but because you like them so much (or wore them on a special occasion) you just cannot find it in your heart to get rid of them? Do you ever wear clothes at home that are all worn out and that you don’t dare wear in public (but because they feel so comfortable you still wear them in private?)
I’m guilty. Guilty of all the above. In fact, I’m wearing an old blouse right now that is weathered in a way that my underwear shimmers through here and there… I call it my ‘atelier-blouse.’ I like to think that it looks ‘artsy’ (it has all kinds of colors and a batik-like print) but that is a lousy excuse… I wear it because it’s very comfortable, wide and long. Not flattering at all, but the fabric is soft (cotton) and I’m attached to it.
I was attached to so many clothes in my life… I remember shoes (red, leather boots) that were repaired umptious times until the shoemaker said he couldn’t fix it anymore… I remember trousers that had an awesome African print and how I cried when one day the cotton just teared… I remember a black dress with white dots that made me feel like a Spanish dancer whenever I wore it…
… and I firmly remember this blouse (see photo.) It was second hand already when I got it (somewhere in the eighties!) I liked the color of it but I always had my doubts about the print… still, it became my favorite. Strange how that blouse with the strange print in particular stayed with me all those years. There were years that I did not wear it, but there were times that you could see me wearing it all the time.
I wore this blouse all through the eighties, the nineties, the ‘zero’s… right up until last month. By then, the fabric had become so thin that I had to put the blouse on very carefully to not rip the sleeves… it had become just too worn out to wear. But I could not throw it away. I stashed the blouse in my box with fabrics in my atelier, thinking that maybe I could use it someday to do something creative with it.
That was only a month ago… one month later The Documented Life Project posted this challenge:
May 2
May Theme: Touchy Feely (Texture)
Art Challenge: Fabric
Journal Prompt: The Fabric of Your Life
I didn’t have to think about what I should make with this prompt.
Out came the box… out came the ‘Fabric of My Life’ (crumpled and all) and I made an art journal page using the above photo as an example for my drawing.
It does not show very good on the photo but yes, the blouse in the painting is the ‘real deal’… I glued the fabric onto my painting.
The journaling is more-or-less the same story as the text of this blogpost. I like that I recorded this memory in my art journal now.
I wish you a nice day. Enjoy. Wear something comfortable!
Marsha Pitman says
I love that you used your beloved blouse for your journal page! Makes it so personal! I love your end result too…
Annemarie says
A wonderful memory. You are so good at capturing them.
Inge says
I love your journaling… reminds me that I have to include more journaling in my art journal.
iHanna says
Guilty of all that too – I have more stay comfy at home clothes than I have go out looking like a normal person clothes!
Love the journal page Marit!
Peggy says
Ahh this post of yours made me smile so much Marit!
I am 100% guilty of still wearing clothes long overdue to be recycled. And keeping clothes that don’t fit and boots I haven’t worn for decades, I could go on and on.
I am so glad we are in the predicament together, it makes me very happy.
All the very best is wished for you always my friend.
Big hugs
Peggy xxxxxxx
Marit says
I KNEW I wasn’t the only one saving clothes and wearing worn out blouses, happy you join me in that ๐
Glenda T. says
No but I wish I would have!! I had a kickass Billy Idol concert T that I kick my ass I never kept. Why????? Actually I had quite a few things I wish I would have kept!! Love that journal page as it totally captures the pic! This is what journaling is all about!!
Patty Szymkowicz says
Well you really had me shaking my head YES when I was reading this sweet friend (of course it is not a surprise that we have yet one more thing in common!)
First of all what a great photo of you and your comfort shirt sorry it had to go…
BUT what a fabulous way to honor it and record its happy life with you.
I have a little cotton dress that is so thin in the back it has a tiny hole…
If I sneeze real hard (kidding!) or stretch quickly it is going to rip…I have been thinking I should/could add a panel of soft cotton for a new back. My mother was always wonderful at saving clothes like that with her sewing skills. When she was alive she would remove the worn collars from my sweethearts favorite denim work shirts turning them around to look like new. We miss her for so many reasons.
OK this is getting a little long.
Just today I was saying (bravely trying to get myself in action) that I need to/want to go through my clothes and set some free.
It’s not that easy for me either.
Great post AND wonderful art journaling as always my mermaid sister ~โฅ~
oxo
Marit says
Since I am a graduated seamstress, I know all about turning collars, taking in pants-waists (my son is very thin) and shortening trousers (my beloved is short…) It’s an old fashion skill but I benefit from having learned all that. I, too, cleaned my wardrobe a while a go and friends/my mom went through the clothes to see if they like/fitted some of those things… my son’s girlfriend picked out the most lovely stuff. She’s a wonderful, slim young woman – which I’m not anymore ๐ – and I am glad the clothes will get a great second life! It hurts less to set some of the clothes free that way.