INTRODUCTION

I love clothes! I love designing them, wearing them, researching them, not necessarily constructing them - but I love knowing I can construct almost anything to which I set my mind.

This is a blog about my lifelong obsession with a square/rectangular piece of cloth, the gradual understanding of the geometry of clothing, and finding MY perfect wardrobe.

I remember as a young child taking (stealing!?) my dad's handkerchiefs and grabbing some rubber bands to dress my BarbiesTM. I made the most elegant gowns for my dolls with those pieces of cloth. I graduated to using pieces of fabric to clothe my Crissy and Jennifer dolls. I had learned at my grandmother Pace's knee how to sew (she thought it would keep me from sucking my fingers - and it worked!). 

Fast forward to college. I took classes in patternmaking, clothing construction, and tailoring but somehow missed draping. But I did take two classes in handwork at BYU-Idaho and two classes in fashion history at BYU-Provo. (Side note: DO NOT take watch Disney's Sleeping Beauty while taking fashion history - it hurts the time continuum.) While taking fashion history, I was introduced to the simple clothing pieces of the tunic and toga.  During these same college days, I also had the opportunity to visit Hawaii and fell in love with sarongs.

While serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I was struck with the idea of having the perfect LBD with different accessories (not just jewelry and flowers but different sleeves and skirt lengths) so I could wear it over and over again and few would be wise to the fact that it was the same dress.

Fast forward again,about 16 years, my children were mature enough they didn't need mom's constant supervision and I re-visited my fascination with the sarong. As I did research on the sarong, I was introduced to many other pieces of clothing that were simple in construction but vast in the variations. I learned about the Cameleon, the Infinite Dress, No Fuss Scarves, HipKNOTies (a recent find), designers: Lemuria, Emami, Inala-London, Magic or Button scarf, cardiwraps, bog coats and many more - which I hope to introduce you to through this blog.

While being mom to four wonderful children, we do the usual activities - sports, theater, music and home school (well, that might not be so usual, but it's our life). Being a stay-at-home mom is a pretty easy wardrobe - jeans and a T shirt and some days (very few, mind you) pajamas. But one day, we were about 25 miles from home to attend music lessons for my children. Later that evening was their recital at a church even further from home. I wasn't thinking and wore jeans that day. I was raised that you don't enter a church in pants, let alone jeans. I felt so uncomfortable in that church because of my upbringing; it was difficult to enjoy the recital. I remember thinking - "Duh! If I had just brought one of my (many) sarongs, I would have been fine."

Approximately two years ago, two friends in NYC came up with the concept wearing 6 clothing items during a month long period. (The restricted wardrobe did not exclude workout clothes, outerwear, underwear, and work uniforms as well as accessories). About this same time another young woman wore a dress design for 365 days - blogging daily and having fun accessorizing as well as raising awareness of a plight in India. (Yes, I promise to share more about these events later blog posts.)

My dream is that one day my husband and I will be able to just get up and go travel whenever the mood takes us. That dream includes an always packed suitcase that's not too cumbersome. (We did a cruise a number of years ago and I took WAY too much stuff!) Also with more luggage restrictions and fees becoming the norm when flying, I want my life to fit in a carry on and my personal piece.

These events and the dream lead me on a quest to find the perfect wardrobe. And now, I would like to share my quest with you.  I hope you'll share with me any discoveries you have made with clothing that is convertible.  I hope you enjoy this journey. 

CAVEAT: While I believe in being a good steward of my environment, I would not call myself an environmentalist. I just find it fun and interesting to conserve where I can without inconveniencing myself.