Goal check*

Remember?

1. Buy only ONE pattern per month.
2. Reduce pattern stash by 100.  
3. Get a REAL wardrobe. Based on Tim Gunn's 10 essentials. 
4. Get rid of 1/2 of my fabric stash, sewing or otherwise.

At last check I was making good progress. So now...

1. I totally gave up on the one pattern per month thing, so I wont even bother. I have reduced my buying though, at least compared to previous years... lol
2. Since June I have purged (recycled) another 51 patterns! So that puts me at 129 out so far. I probably have purchased quarter of that so far in the year. I feel good and ashamed at the same time. I still plan on continuing to purge monthly until the end of the year. I have been able to reorganize my patterns by garment type and find many duplicate styles, which is very helpful.
3. My wardobe is coming along, I have been lucky to thrift a few very gently worn designer tailored oxford shirts for very cheap - like less than $10, oh & I got my real trench coat. But I still need: Basic Black Dress & Sweatsuit alternative. This has been a good exercise for me because it is helping regain/discover my sense of style. I think getting these basic wardobe essentials does not define your style per se, it just gives you a foundation. I was finally able to purge a lot of mess from my closet.
4. I have been sewing, purging, buying... This is moving slow.

I can't believe I've never had a basic black skirt! So I made one...

It's Butterick 5539. I really love this pattern, so you'll be seeing more of it :)

The skirt was perfect for me in terms of comfort. I had been considering a standard pencil pattern, like McCalls 6038, but I was not excited about the narrow waistbands cutting in or riding up and the "dressy-ness". I am more comfortable with a wide or elastic waistband - "shlumpy-ness". But this let me have my shlump and still look dressed. I got a few compliments on my outfit yesterday and I felt good, which was great on a Monday!