Clouds in the Sky, Shears in the Hand

Today is a very cloudy day here in Seattle, and so naturally, I felt okay about staying inside with the television on. Last week, Comcast came out to install cable and internet. I've been catching up on the last season of Project Runway, and I've even been watching Fashion Star.... Although, I don't quite know how I feel about that show yet. I didn't even know it existed until last night, which I think proves how much television I normally watch. 

As I had explained yesterday, I love sewing. It is one of my favorite things to do, and has been, since I was 13 years old. I'm self taught though, so there are a lot of things I don't know how to do. In recent months, I've been very frustrated because there is a disconnect between what I want to be creating and what I can currently make. There is a lot of frustration that comes from this, and a desire to get to the point in my life where I can be a successful designer. 

So! I just decided to do it; to get to that point. What has ever been in my way? What has been stopping me? I can claim a lack of finances for classes, or a lack of time after/before work, but those are just excuses. There will always be excuses if I don't make the effort and take the time to do the work. 

Step one: Focus on learning everything I can about sewing. I'm going to learn new stitches, learn new techniques, and use new patterns- even become better at creating my own patterns. I'm going to create a cohesive portfolio of my designs from these new

Step two: Go to school for design. I've already found the perfect school here in Seattle. I don't need a fancy school, nor do I want my school career to last 4 years at the least. New York Fashion Academy, in Ballard. I've looked up the course information online, and the fashion shows from students past. Dr. Robert E Whaley gave me a tour of the school, and talked to me about what the school wants to see from their prospective students. It was so refreshing to speak to somebody about possibilities for my future. My goal is to begin school in December of this year, or January of 2014. 

http://newyorkfashionacademy.com

Step three: Be the designer I want to be!

So, as a beginning to this plan, I spent the day sewing! Yesterday morning I found this adorable plaid fabric at Goodwill for half price, so I couldn't turn it down. As soon as I saw it, I had a vision in mind for it. 

The shorts I created today.

 

I began sewing the fabric into a pair of loose fitting summer shorts last night, and I finished them today. Once I tried them on, I realized that they were perhaps a little too big. I really liked the detail in the front of the waistline, I think it could potentially be used on future items with great success. But the plaid fabric, plus the general slouch of these shorts made them look a little like pajama bottoms. 

What is your opinion? Do they look like pajama shorts? In my mind, I saw them styled with a form-fitting white cotton bustier top, to contrast the volume of the shorts. Let me know what your opinion is: If you like them, if you don't.... And if you do like them, how YOU would wear these shorts.