I think this has been a long time in coming for me, but I decided to whack off my hair. It was time for a change and I’ve been feeling the need for something completely different for awhile now. So here’s to a new year and a new do, right! I LOVE my haircut! In my early 20s I did a shortish-pixie cut like this and well, now its time to bring it back.
This brings me to another point. Over the Christmas break, I got caught up on some blog reading and such and found this completely awesome interview done with Sallieoh. I love Sallieoh’s style and sartorial penchant and this particular response really rang true to me:
“I often find that anything too sweet or girly just doesn’t look quite right on me. As much as I love demure little peter pan collars and bows and puffed sleeves and dainty little prints on others – it just looks all wrong on me. Like I’m a 40 year old, hard-living, street-walking woman playing the Lolita. Just kidding. Not really.
I think it took me a little while to figure out that a vintage or rockabilly look was not my friend – which was a bit of a letdown because I generally love the look on others. But once I figured it out it was like a huge liberation! I don’t have to dress that way! I can dress alllll these other ways!
I think this is also where knowing your own body comes into play too. There are certain silhouettes that just aren’t particularly becoming on me. I’m so over trying to beat myself into somebody else’s shape so I can wear a certain type of clothing (if that makes sense) I’d rather just skip the drama and focus on what I know is flattering. And usually it involves something that doesn’t make me feel bad about my 3pm chocolate fix or my love of bread.”
I’ve been kind of grappling with this one for awhile, but I too have found that a lot of vintage and rockabilly styles just aren’t my style. I too love the look on others and really wish I felt like I was comfortable in my own skin when I wear stuff like that, but I’m not. I too look silly in peter pan collars and puffy sleeves and bows (I know this from many failed muslins and personal makes that just never get worn). I feel its interesting to point these things out because for quite awhile there (like the past year and a half), I kind of just felt like I was trying to impersonate someone else’s version of personal style instead of embracing my own. This also led to a general feeling of…. less. Like I was somehow less because I couldn’t do my hair in a victory roll (I have seriously fine/thin hair and when I do any type of updo it looks like I have no hair left!) or wear poufy skirts without looking like I was in costume. And no, this is not what I think of when I see someone else wearing these types of styles, its just a problem I have with how it looks on me.
And you know what? That’s OK, because as Sallieoh says – “I can dress allllll these other ways!” And I can and I intend to.
Whewwwwwwww! I am soooooo glad that is all off my chest now!
You guys, I’m seriously diggin my new cut. I know the pixie cut isn’t for everybody, but for me, its solved like a ton of issues with my hair. For starters the fine/thin issue. Leena, a lady I work with, even told me that my hair just looked too thin for long hair – she totally approves of my spontaneous haircut! I feel like a rockstar! Yay! And now, I feel like I’m in my own skin – Thanks Sallieoh! You are a total enabler and inspiration!
Cheers everyone! Here’s to my new do and a new year full of personal style journeys!
I distinctly recall my first purchase of a Burda World of Fashion magazine (which by the way, is now BurdaStyle magazine). I remember falling absolutely, insanely in love with a dress (that I have yet to make) on the front cover of the magazine and purchasing it up real quick like. I got the magazine home and started flipping through the endless pages of photos of all the patterns in the mag and thinking, “Gosh, this is amazing! All these patterns in one magazine.” I remember when I found this really big sheet of paper at the end of the magazine that had lots and lots of lines all over it and then it hit me like an anvil that those were the actual pattern pieces. There they were all nested like a hot mess on top of each other, and there I was completely horrified at the thought of having to trace one off. This before I even knew that they didn’t have seam allowances to boot. This is not to say that I don’t actually appreciate these types of patterns, I do – especially as they have become more popular in sewing books that come with patterns – its just that I wasn’t educated on how to properly trace a pattern. I had never traced off a pattern before and the idea really perplexed me. For starters, where in the world would I find paper that was big enough? And what would I do then? Just take a pencil and start outlining my size? And what if there were something like 12 – 15 pattern pieces? And then I have to add a seam allowance too? It felt really overwhelming and I think, to someone who has only ever worked with Big 4 patterns (Simplicity, McCall’s, Butterick & Vogue) and just cut your size from the tissue, you might think the same thing.
Today I wanted to show you two ways to trace off a sewing pattern. Both methods work for tracing off patterns that come nested on one big sheet of paper and those that come in an envelope too. If you are asking why you would want to trace off an envelope pattern, rather than just cutting out your size, I would say that choice is up to you. If you feel that its a pattern you’ll keep in your stash forever and want to wear again when you’re 40 but at the moment, you’re 25, trace it because its almost guaranteed that you’re body will change as you age putting you in a different size bracket. If not, don’t trace it and just cut your pattern size from the tissue. Ok? Ok.
Method #1
I’ve tried many methods for tracing off a pattern, so as one who is always looking for the latest and greatest in pattern tracing technology (ha ha!) I’ll show you my two favorites. First, let’s start with the less expensive. To trace in this manner you’ll need three elements:
Layout your pattern with the piece you want to trace facing up. Lay the medical exam paper or paper of your choice on top of the pattern and then lay down a few heavy objects (like cans of food or pattern weights) or pin the trace off paper to the pattern so the papers don’t slip and slide around. From there, start the tracing game. Trace off your size, with the aid of the ruler (seriously, this is a TON easier with a ruler), label your pattern piece and if needed, add the seam allowance. Adding that seam allowance is made only about 1000 times easier with one of those 2″ x 18″ gridded rulers. In addition, you’ll use that sucker for so many other things, its not even funny. Get one. You know you need it. By the way, I have 3 because I loose these puppies all the time and having more than one makes it a bunch easier to find at least one….
Method #2 – Sunni’s favorite method of all time!
This is the best, easiest, coolest method on the face of the planet, for tracing off a pattern! If you’re in it to win it, and save yourself a butt-load of precious time (because who has that in abundance these days), you need the following:
- Paper – again, my favorite is medical exam paper, but for this method any paper will really do ya.
- Waxed Tracing Paper – this stuff is fabulous, amazing, the best thing since sliced bread and anything else you can possibly imagine.
- Double Tracing Wheel – this is a FREAKING GODSEND when it comes to those Burda magazine patterns that need a seam allowance because this little doodad will trace off and add the seam allowance in one. fell. swoop. You can also use a regular old tracing wheel too, so no pressure or anything.
You’re going to make a little trace off sandwich here. First, lay out the tracing paper with the waxy side up – by the way, the blue and red are the best for this sort of thing. Then lay your paper of choice on top of that. Add your pattern on top of that and slap down a few pattern weights and you’re good to trace. Take your tracing wheel and start a tracing yo. That’s right, I said, YO! No pain. Less time consuming and well, less mental and emotional trauma. In addition, of you don’t have concerns about the fit, you can actually use this method directly on the final fabric. Or you can use this method directly on muslin too. Whatevs. To make the sandwich with fabric, I lay down the fabric first with the wrong sides out, then the tracing paper face down on the fabric, then the pattern.
A word about tools for this method. I sell all the tools here for doing both methods in my shop. You can find that stuff here. The wax tracing paper is huge and will last a long time – like years. The medical exam paper will last quite a long time too it being 75 yards and all. The double tracing wheel is so cool! Here’s some up close shots, just in case you were curious as to how this works. It works by repositioning the pegs that have the actual wheel on them. You can reposition them to any width from 1/4″ to 1 1/4″. Or you can just use one peg and ditch the other one if your pattern has seam allowances already. Whatever.
If you’re newer to tracing off sewing patterns, I truly hope this little tutorial has helped give you a few options to think about. There’s always more than one way to skin a cat, and knowing that is half the battle. So there you go. My two favorite ways to skin a cat, I mean trace off a sewing pattern. In addition, because I feel SOOOOOOO passionately about this subject, I made my first ever video. I hope you like it. It will give you a quick and dirty action packed run down of what I’m talking about here.
Don’t use either of the methods above? How do you trace off a pattern?
Here is my first project of 2013. Pants. Told ya! To boot, I made these pants to go specifically with this top. Kind of a random choice because its not like this top is a NWG or anything. But I love this color combo (marroon and coral) and ever since purchasing this wool from Wool House at the American Sewing Expo last September (I totally understand if. you’re. jealous!), I’ve been scheming as to what the wool would eventually be. When a lady I work with gave me this little maroon wool sweater, it cinched the deal. Coral wool pants. You can call me crazy, but seriously what beats these babies?
I’m pretty ashamed that I haven’t sewn more pants. Seriously, pants are truly something that I love wearing and am always thinking that I need to make and yet, I never do. So I feel that I’ve started this year off on the right foot with my first pair of pants in a quite some time (like since my pj pants from last year, ha). What’s that? You want details? Of course you do! This is BurdaStyle 7447 which is an envelope pattern. And don’t get me started on how I’m completely confused as to the fact that there are BurdaStyle downloadable patterns without seam allowances and BurdaStyle magazine patterns without seam allowances and yet the envelope patterns have seam allowances but seem to be owned by Simplicity….? Whatevs. This pattern is impeccably drafted and I think would work for a variety of different shapes.
They are a basic trouser and I made very few alterations to them. I added a little length to the crotch depth and took them in a smidge from the waist to the knee, but otherwise, these didn’t require very much tweaking. I’m seriously impressed with the fit myself as usually I have a pretty hard time with Butterick/McCalls/Vogue/Simplicity pants patterns. The back looks fabulous as does the front and side and I’m terribly terribly happy with this pattern. There’s a couple more tweaks I plan to make to the pattern for the next time around, which is going to be quite soon as I already have the next pair cut and ready to sew but otherwise, I’m a pretty happy camper.
These pants are fully lined, which is harder than you might think with a fly front. Going to work on perfecting that for my next go around and I made the mistake of not putting in a better pocket lining fabric (like pocketing) for the pocket lining and engineering a better pocket in general. So the pocket lining inevitably peeks out a bit and since I used a lighter colored lining than the fabric, well, its doesn’t look as professional as it could. No matter. They will still get worn and worn to death!
I used Stitches&Seams absolutely AWESOME fly zipper insertion tutorial. Seriously friends, you can’t improve on this rather foolproof way of putting in a fly zip. The tutorial is very clear and concise and hands down one of the easiest zipper insertions in a fly, I’ve ever done. I mean, doesn’t my fly look pretty professional? Very flat and doesn’t pull or distort weird in any place.
I chopped the length off because I wanted a more cropped style pant and I omitted the carriers this time around, but will probably opt for them next time. The welt pockets in the back need to come down about an inch but otherwise, I’ve got myself a pretty good trouser pattern. Its definitely going to be a year of pants people! I’ve decided that I’m moving onto the Sewaholic’s Thurlow pattern next and after that, I’m going to revisit my Clover pattern. Are y’all ready for a pants journey with me?
And for what’s its worth, cause it might be worth alot, this is what the pants look like after I wore them for a day too. The lining really helps the pants to resist wrinkling (and wrinkling isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but you know). They are incredibly comfortable too, which is exactly why I have to have another pair, poste haste.
Sewing is messy. Am I right, or am I right? As such, I continually look for ways to contain projects these days. Here’s one such idea that I’ve found very useful. I’ve been on a bit of a shoe buying binge lately. So shoot me! For some reason, I just needed shoes (like a hole in my head!). Especially shoes that were flat and less stiletto style and that could actually be worn on a daily basis. My whole Everyday Wardrobe thing, you know.
Anyway, shoe fetish aside, I procured two perfectly sized shoe boxes to hold sewing projects that I’m working on. By sewing project I mean the whole shebang: the actual project/cloth/pattern pieces, the sewing pattern and special tools I’m using for the project like special chalks, ribbons, buttons, tapes, etc. I’m constantly misplacing things like that and I can waste an inordinate amount of time looking for a said button. Freak!!! If I had a nickel for every time I lost something – in my small sewing room, no less – I’d be able to pay someone to organize stuff around here! Sheesh! It can be terribly annoying, but when you have it all contained, well there you go.
Like I stated, I have two boxes because some projects are bigger than others. I have a pretty regular sized shoe box, the one you see here and then I have a knee-length boot size shoe box that can hold bigger projects. The bigger shoe box was especially helpful with my man’s winter coat. I kept everything for that coat in that box and it was so easy to just open it up and find everything in there. Easy to clean up too. Like when I need to quickly get my table ready for some other thing I’m doing, all I have to do is throw everything back in the shoe box and then I have containment. It also can make projects portable. When I’m working on a project somewhere else, I can just take my shoe box with me – albeit people think I’m off my rocker a bit, but big deal.
Kind of seems a little silly, but seriously, this idea has saved me from loosing many odds and ends lately and I just had to share. Do you do anything like this? How do you keep all the bits and baubles for one project together?
By the way, the project you see in the shoe box here are some coral pants that I was working on. I know, coral pants. They turned out to be pretty awesome! I’m pretty sure you’ll enjoy the finished project – I know I have.
Sigh… I really hope you all had a wonderful holiday season (with just a little bit more around the corner, it being New Year’s and all)! I must have been super naughty this year as I received a pretty severe cold, cough and flu for Christmas. I contracted the flu virus from hell and was knocked flat in bed for, wait for it…..6 whole days! 6 whole days including Christmas! It was AWFUL! I’ve still got the after shocks going on – a little congestion, a little cough and a little fatigue. All in all though, I’m feeling so much better. Thank goodness! I had meant to put up a slew of holiday posts this year, but you know what they say about best laid plans. Oh well!
The mister and I were able to get out on Christmas day for a very very short walk. I was still feeling pretty crummy, but I managed to take a few snapshots in my cloudy half doped up on flu meds stupor. Those results are what you see here. A small bit of Christmas cheer, which is what I needed I think. Sickness aside, I wanted to chime in with a few New Year’s Sewing Resolutions! Yay!
I have had an amazing 2012! So many new and exciting opportunities came my way and I would be seriously rotten if I didn’t say that I wasn’t so happy to have participated in so many events and such. I was able to spread my wings a little and start teaching sewing locally, something that I truly love! The shop has really been hopping (we closed up for a bit, but the shop is now back up and running!). I also think I stretched myself with a few projects and even though I didn’t get as much sewing in as I wanted to this past year, that’s going to change this year.
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Speaking of change I wanted to forecast my own small sewing resolutions for 2013. I don’t like to overload my plate with too many resolutions that I know I’ll end up overwhelming myself with and not doing, but instead just like to make one or two that I feel I can handle. With that in mind, I’ve determined that this year will be the year of the pant! Or trousers, if you like. I have but two pairs of pants and I feel that I always find myself wanting to reach for a pair of pants on a daily basis. Don’t fret, I could never put aside my love for dresses and skirts, but I feel its time for pants to make a serious come back in my life. I plan to conquer several different styles and fits that I can turn to again and again when I need them. Also tops! I’ll be tackling that basic button-up shirt this year for sure in addition to filling in my top (less) wardrobe.
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In addition, its also going to be a stash busting year. I’m overflowing with fabric and I feel its adding to a general sense of feeling constantly overwhelmed. I am determined to stash bust and get through a substantial portion of my stash this year. I find I am one of those people who generally have something very specific in mind when it comes to what I want to make next and funny enough, the fabric I want never seems to be in my stash. So I think if I do some stash busting and limit myself to how much fabric I can really have and store, I’ll be better able to make sound fabric purchasing decisions – only when I need to.
What are some of your 2013 sewing resolutions? Have you thought about something you are chomping at the bit to make? Ready to fill a gap in your wardrobe?
I truly do hope you all had a wonderful holiday! Have a very Happy New Year too – please be safe! Happy, Happy New Year! Let’s ring in 2013!
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(which will be very, very soon)
Maggie - The haircut looks awesome! I am still feeling my way through to figure out what is my own personal style, so her words reverberate loudly with me right now. Thanks for posting, both of you ladies are an inspiration!
Maggie recently posted..A Little Notion
Katie P. - I LOVE it! I too recently chopped off most of my hair (though not quiiiite as short as yours), and it was so liberating. Your hair is adorable!
Lauren - Ohhh, I love your new ‘do! It really puts the focus on your eyes (and your super enviable hair color). I’m glad you love it too
Doesn’t it feel liberating to chop everything off?! Haha!
Tessa - Love the new haircut! I have the almost opposite problem. I try on allllll the other styles because I love trends trying and new styles. I feel silly in them. I love the look of pants, but I hate the way I look in pants. I love the loose fit tees, but I feel like a tent wearing them. I admire women at my son’s school when they pick up their kids wearing casual clothes, but I’d feel so uncomfortable wearing that in public. I have only worn my 6 year old sneakers maybe once a year. I feel the most comfortable in a full skirt or dress with a nice A-line, and top if off with a simple cardigan. People are complex beings indeed.
Tessa recently posted..The Pick-Me-Up Dress, A.K.A. My Third Hazel
Meli - Oh my goodness your eyes are HUUUGE. You look lovely!
Meli recently posted..Lately
True Bias - It looks SO CUTE! I have wanted to pixie cut my hair for awhile, but know that it’s just not me. Sad but true. You, however, rock it.
I love Sallieoh and all that she makes. I really identify with her style. Thanks for the quote. I also agree that we often spend too much time focusing on what we arnt – and trying to become it – instead of just becoming our best selves.
Tania - So cute!
Janette - LOVE the new cut! I too had short hair in my twenties and part of me has missed it ever since (though my face was much thinner then). I completely agree with the personal style points you brought up. I think you can have a personal style without it shouting, “Look at me! This is my personal style!!!” Often that comes off as a costume-y if it doesn’t come naturally (regardless of what the ‘style’ is). As my body shifts, I’m learning more now how to fit my shape, too, which adds a whole other set of decisions. Starting to sew has actually made these choices more top of mind for me. Still learning through mistakes though…
Janette recently posted..It’s a Bird Party in Our Yard!
annette tirette - Your haircut is awesome! I’m currently growing mine out after having an ear-length bob for years, it’s currently approaching my bra band. I get what you mean about admiring a style that’s not for you… If I dress too classic and serious I look way older than I really am, and real vintage looks make me look like I’m in a costume. These days I’m just going for colours and insane prints (I have autumn leaves, sailboats, a forest full of birds and a large scale asian floral coming my way) which causes quite a few frowns in my family, but every time I look at my wardrobe I just get the biggest smile on my face. Isn’t that the actual goal of sewing your own clothes?
annette tirette recently posted..The Cloudy Coat
Carolyn - Sunny – your new haircut is awesome! I love it and how wonderful & pretty it looks on you!
Laura - I love it! You look very confident with this new ‘do. It is amazing what a change in hairstyle can do for how a person feels. I know what you and sallieoh mean- I love certain looks but they just aren’t right on me. I think most of us have that problem with some style or other. Finding what works for our own bodies is definitely a must.
Miss Crayola Creepy - You look so beautiful!!!
Miss Crayola Creepy recently posted..Sew LA Party!
Hanne - You look amazing with this haircut!
I think it is really important that we stay true to ourselves. Sometimes, especially in the sewing blog circle, it seems that sewing retro/rockabilly/supergirly clothing is they way to go, while actually we only sew for ourselves because we like to make things that fit our personal style and our inner selfs – not to mention the fact that what we like is to expensive or impossible to find in stores!. Your post reminded me of how important it is to stay true to ourselves, thanks for sharing!
Laura - One of the things I’ve always loved about your blog, and your style is that you embrace modern patterns to create your wardrobe. The best vintage look you’ve ever made is the 70′s boyfriend jacket, and that is full of nostalgia and style-lust, and was bound to be a hit. Your new ‘do is amazing. Your style is amazing. Thanks for sharing yourself with us.
Alaskapsych - You look amazing!!!!
Mary - Great haircut. You look terrific.
kathi giumentaro - Love your hair. I am a big fan of short hair.
Amanda - I love the haircut on you. It looks great! I’m always jelous of folks who can pull off a pixie cut (knowing full well that there are those jelous of my long curly hair). And I’m really glad that there are bloggers like you and Salli who have the same sort of general style that I gravitate towards…cuz I know I can’t look like a Gertie even though I love to read her blog. It’s fun to read/look at all sorts of stuff but it’s always nice to have folks who you can really relate to and go to for personal style inspiration.
Jenny - I LOVE it!! It feels so liberating doesn’t it? It looks really nice on you and shows off those baby blues!
Jenny recently posted..Wacky Fabric Choice for Hollyburn Skirt
theperfectnose - Yay nice haircut (I will always think of you as TruBlood Jessica tho’-the first time I saw your avatar at the top of your blog I went-it’s Jessica. And she sews. Sweet.) Ya the pixie is perfect for fine hair-which is why I rocked it for so long. I love not having to worry about stuff like that-however, I am trying the longer hair thing now because Carl really likes it and also because haircuts are too expensive at the mo’. XD Re: Sally-I really like her stuff-it’s very different in a good way. I’m not into vintage at all (yea I love mod and 70s menswear styles but I do them in contemporary, minimalist fabrics because it’s just too costumy otherwise). Had a conversation with a gay (male) friend recently about all the ‘big chicks into 50s froufrou’ (his words not mine) ‘don’t they realise how much hotter they’d look in shifts?’ XD I think a lot of people wear what they think looks good rather than what ooks good on them-but that’s why friends exist- to burn (or op-shop) things that make us look wrong.
theperfectnose recently posted..Book Review: Cut My Cote by Dorothy K. Burnham
Debi - I absolutely adore your new ‘do!! You are so beautiful!
crystalpleats - You look fabulous in a pixie. I love those cuts, but have never been brave enough, although in my early 20s I had a lot of fun with various short hair looks.
K-Line - Aren’t you gorgeous! As a fellow-pixie-cut haver, I agree it’s a great hair-style.
Bella - Very cute! It’s been about 6 yrs since I cut mine off & I was thinking the same thing for this summer. Right now I need it to keep my ears warm!
BeccaA - Gorgeous haircut! I love this pixie cut on you! Very chic.
Melody - I love it! I’m not usually a fan of pixie cuts, but it suits you marvelously!
I think it takes a lot of guts to give up an aesthetic that you love for realising that it doesn’t suit your body, or even your lifestyle. And congrats to that!
Melody recently posted..Well. We’ve Almost Survived 2012!
turtleandi - I’m seriously diggin’ your hair cut too!
Mary in FL - I think your hair looks great! How are you liking the wash-n-wear hair?
Mary in FL recently posted..No-Work Project
liza jane - LOVE your new haircut! I had a pixie cut in high school. I’ve been tempted to try it again. This makes me want to even more! I have very fine/thin hair as well and I find shorter styles work so much better on me. Love it!
Kay - Love your new hairdo!!! Your eyes get all the limelight now!
Kay recently posted..Goals for 2013
Gail - This looks fantastic on you!
sallie - Wow! Where to begin?!?! Your new do is seriously AMAZING! I have a similar hair situation as you and since I was in the 5th grade I’ve been alternating between pixie cuts and growing it out longer. But usually after I lop off my locks that first time and I can see my neck and face and everything it’s like I immediately recognize myself again. I hope that is how you feel right now, because it’s a truly beautiful feeling! You look gorgeous, and I hope you feel gorgeous too.
I’m so flattered that you felt my words resonated with you! And I’m also so glad I’m not alone on that front! I can’t say I’ve totally mastered the personal style thing, but can say that it feels very good to let go of the idea of who you think you should be and just focus on how amazing you are AS IS.
Thank you for being who you are, you are such an inspiration to me, Sunni!
sallie recently posted..cobwebs
Carlee - It looks great Sunni!!! I tried the pixie thing after a big break up once. I wanted the look of the girl in the first Bourne movie. But my hair is not thin. It is wavy and thick as hell and needless to say that ended poorly. But yours looks great! I envy people who have hair and haircuts that require minimal effort.
Since I’ve started sewing, I think what you said about finding your own style really rings true. It is so goddamn hard to do though. There are so many fabric choices, pattern choices, and detail choices that it can become very overwhelming very quickly, I find. It is difficult to go from RTW where you don’t need to think about anything, really, just whether you like something or not and whether it vaguely fits, to where you actually have to think, “What is my personal sense of style?”. I suppose it will just take time that’s all!
Milena - “I often find that anything too sweet or girly just doesn’t look quite right on me. As much as I love demure little peter pan collars and bows and puffed sleeves and dainty little prints on others – it just looks all wrong on me.”
WORD. I just wrote something regarding that on my blog! So many ladies who sew on the ‘net love a lot of patterns that are too frilly for me and would require endless modifications to suit my style. As much as I want to support independent pattern makers, some of the stuff I just wouldn’t buy for myself. I’m still trying to figure out *what* exactly is the type of garments I want to make and wear, in terms of fabric, cut, details, etc. but, until I figure out, I’ll continue to be inspired by my mostly-J. Crew wardrobe for my sewing.
Milena recently posted..I am struggling to keep myself from giving Colette Patterns my credit card number
Wanett - Your hair looks awesome!!
And I’m going to be the next person to join the “that’s totally me” club with regard to loving some (a LOT) of styles that just don’t suit me. Actually, I think it’s more a comfort thing with me. It’s possible I’d look great in vintage styles, but I would be dead uncomfortable and feel really conspicuous. Both of which I hate.
Wanett recently posted..Firsts and Dares
TinaLou - You look spectacular! That’s an awesome haircut, too! As a fellow fine/thin hair owner, I can commiserate on your struggle to find a style that works with the material given. Well done!!
mariah - LOVE the new cut! It redirects the focus to your face and frames it well. I wish I could pull it off myself….and the color is divine!
Annie - What a great haircut- so flattering and stylish! What a great way to start off the new year!
Amanda - I LOVE YOUR HAIR!!!!!!!
Totally understand where you’re coming from – i like poofy dresses, circle skirts and cute prints on others but it looks SOOOO ridiculous on me!
It’s good to embrace what works for YOU, and inevitably that means experimenting along the way; my whole first year of makes are pretty much all wadders for that reason lol. So glad you’re embracing who you are ^_^
Peter - I think it looks lovely, Sunni. It’s sophisticated and modern looking. Great way to start the new year!
Vanessa - Yes and yes! Love your cut and this post. I just chopped off my bob for a pixie cut and have been ruminating over the line between trying something new and trying to be something you’re not. Must be that time of year, eh?
Vanessa recently posted..Curtain Panel Cape: FAIL
Whitney - I think your hair looks so awesome! I think you look great with short hair! I would love to see the new ‘do and the naughty secretary dress together…actually all your clothes are suited to short hair! So perfect.
Rochelle New - Ahhhhhhhhhh!! Sunni you look AMAZING!!!! So so beautiful
And that Sallie O is quite the inspirational genius I have to say. Both of you ladies inspire me to no end. Never stop blogging, please 
Rochelle New recently posted..Sew It Yourself: Very Cherry
Carrie Ann - Love the haircut, and the pictures in which you smile!
Jessica - I too have super fine/thin hair that looks horrible when put into an updo and it also doesn’t curl. It has been really hard for me because I keep feeling like I need a change but most changes I think of are outside of my hairs capabilities! lol I am not sure a pixie is right for me either, but hearing your story has me searching for something that will be right.
Melanie - The short hair really brings out your eyesm which are stunning. It also makes you look more grown up, which I hope isn’t offensive. I think short hair tends to make most people look older. I felt similarly earlier in the fall and let my stylist chop mine off – to just above my shoulders – and add long bangs. I regretted it ever since! Anytime i wanted it back out of my face, i had to wear barrettes like my two year old. I thought it looked like a complete mom bob, though hubby didn’t think so. I have fine hair too, but mine is frizzy and the only thing that keeps it under control is the weight of length. But too long and it’s awful. I plan to stick to what works until I’m too old to pull off long hair, which is probably way too soon. You’re brave for trying something so daring! But you were right to stick to your own versioin of yourself, because you are in fact one of those people who looks nice in a pixie. And mine is starting (!) to grow out.
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Jane - I love the cut. I have been contemplating cutting too, although a bit longer like Michelle Williams latest do.
I am with you on finding a style that is your own, having sewn for a long time I am finding it easier and easier not to follow fashions or sew something just because it looks good on someone else in blog land.
Sarah - Love the pixie on you
. I have that problem too, my hair is way too fine to grow long nicely (and bleaching it once a month for a year hasn’t helped any!).
Learning how to not dress as somebody else rings true. It’s hard to give up on a style that you like, but so liberabing to realize that now you can make things that you will actually wear
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Scruffy badger - Sunni, I don’t comment on your blog (maybe only once before :-s) very often but wanted to add to all these wonderful comments that your crop is gorgeous. It’s a brave step going from long to short and it totally is such a pretty pixie style on you. I’ve got short hair ( it’s not as well behaved as yours though!) and interesting what you say about style, for me I don’t want to give up echoes of vintage styling in the clothes that I make, but somehow, the short hair means that it can only really be a modern take on vintage. So like you say, it’s all about finding style that you’re comfortable with, and I have to also say that you always look very stylish and comfortable, and well, with such well made and well fitting clothes, you always look a million dollars. Thanks for the inspiration!!
Sam - Your new haircut looks fabulous! I had a pixie cut for years – in fact one of my best friends calls me Pixie because of it – and loved how easy it was to look after. I’m now growing my hair and I’m still struggling with how long it takes to style.
Thank you for your comments on personal style too. It’s reasurring to know that others suffer from the same feelings as I do that you SHOULD be able to wear vintage styles without looking like you’re in costume. Sadly they don’t suit me but its very hard when you see a cute 50′s style dress that someone else has made not to want one of your own!
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Karin - Bravery pays off! You look fantastic!
blacklabel - you rock the pixie. happy NY to you too.
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Alexandra - I LOVE this post! As someone who spends a lot of their sewing time trying to struggle with the idea of personal style, I find it so useful to see how others deal with it!
Also, you look amazing with the pixie cut!
Sara - Fabolous sayings, that’s true! And you’re pixie is amazing, I really admire your guts to just go and cut of your hair..
Tilly - Prettyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!! x
Katy - I love your hair. It looks so much letter. It’s great to see your style settling to something that is more “you”.
Donna - I am completely with you on the hair issue and on the style issue. I have to avoid peter pan collars, etc. too because they do not work on me. But I love it on the people who can rock the look, so it falls under the ‘admire but don’t wear’ category.
Kerry - Well done for making a bold change, you have the perfect bone structure to carry off a pixie cut and you look great.
I love the idea of having lovely vintage looking curls but they won’t hold in my hair but I can rock a classic bob so have decided to just embrace it – and I love it!
Tamsin W-P - Hi Sunni, your hair is amazing! I have always had short hair, apart from a period when I was a student. When I had it all cut off the relief was incredible!
I am struggling with personal style. I like a lot of different styles, most of which work on me, but they don’t always go together, and thats the bit I struggle with!
Jane - Sunni you look absolutely beautiful. I’d give anything to have a pixie cut and would chop my hair off in a flash if I’d been graced with cheekbones like yours! Go forth and conquer, you look great. x
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Stephani - You look adorable, Sunni! And yet, more grown-up at the same time. It’s very chic!
Staci - You completely ROCK that hairstyle. Look at those absolutely beautiful and stunning large blue eyes. Wow Sunni! Perfection!!
Rebecca - I love the hairdo, Sunni! Well done!
And I’ll be the umpteenth person to agree completely with you and SallieOh–it’s tempting as a 30-something in this blogland with many cute and perky 20-somethings to think I should also sew up a bunch or dirndl skirts and frilly blouses, but that’s not how I dress. That, and learning how patterns may really sew up on my body (which is NOT model-like, though I personally like it!) has been really helpful in homing in on projects that become beloved garments.
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Tiffany - Too TOO cute haircut lady!! Especially with that lovely color you have!!!
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Sewing Princess - Congrats on the new haircut! Brave move. I didn´t realize your hair was thin…so this may indeed be a great solution for you (my think hair was always a nightmare to style on a pixie cut). And in any case…hair grows back so you can change again if you should wish.
Clio - Wow, Sallieoh totally summed up what I’ve been thinking for months. I really do appreciate peter pan collars, Macaron and Peony dresses, and pretty patterns on others, but those looks are just too sweet for me. At times that leaves me feeling a little out of step wit the sewing blogosphere, but that’s okay since I’m happier in my own skin.
GREAT DO! Short hair is such a confident look!
Angela - Interesting commentary about clothing styles. I know what you mean! Some styles are SO stinkin cute on some women – but I try them on and they just don’t work. Sigh… it has become even more evident as my daughter is now my height (5′ 9″) and rail thin. I love her dearly but a little Peter Pan collar is NOT the look for her! LOL! Or me! Dropped waist on our long-waisted body? A nightmare.
Katherine - Great cut!! I too enjoy fine/thin hair, but it’s super-pouffy when i cut it too short (it looks like a pompadour. no joke. . . ). I’m so jealous of people who look great in a pixie cut!
Rock it!
Helen Made - LOVE the haircut! I’d love to have my hair like that but I know it just doesn’t suit me (previous experience)!
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Jenny - Thank you to you (and Sallieoh) for this post. I can very much relate to the style and hair issues. At 31 years, I’m just now figuring out what styles look good on me and developing my own personal style (I still get it wrong sometimes). I too struggle with wanting to wear what others look good in but may not be the best for me.
I am also plagued with the thin, fine hair. I can’t tell you how many times hairdressers would recommend expensive hair thickner products without me bringing it up. I too lopped off all my hair and I have loved it. I’m now growing it into a graduated bob but keep thinking about going back to my short pixie style.
You look great!
Seraphinalina - Oh I love it! That cut really does suit your face and hair. It’s lovely. I am in the midst of a little war with my hair. I just haven’t bothered to cut it in so long but not with the intention of growing it out, just laziness. I get the needing a change. When I do get this cut, it won’t be to a pixie cut but it will probably be 5″+.
Ginger - You look so cute! What a great cut! I’m so glad you feel more comfortable in my skin. Sallieoh is one of my absolute faves– everything she makes is amazing and so her!
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Kate - Love it!
Kate McIvor - Love it!
Pam Jones - I LOVE it, Tink! Power to the fine and thin
Amy L - Bravo on hair! I’m just a bit biased when it comes to short hair. Interesting to hear your thoughts on style. I’m swayed often by all the pretty creations and find that my interests aren’t always realistic for my lifestyle.
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ZoSews (@ZoSews) - Love the haircut, it’s very cute. I have thin hair too and go through cycles of growing ‘long’, realising ick it’s so thin looking so I’ll cut it, gah I wish I had long hair… and off we go again
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didyoumakethat - I am a big fan of the pixie haircut! I used to have one myself a long time ago. Yours looks truly fabulous. It definitely gives you a more sophisticated edge. And it’s sooooo low maintenance. You look lovely!
Clarissa - Fantastic post! Love your haircut, it’s really cute. Pixie cuts are cute and addictive. I had one for so long, but a few years back decided to grow it out. Anyway…I really like the sentiment in this post. I also really like and appreciate vintage, but often feel silly in it, like I’m wearing a costume. Kudos to you for voicing it! Love your blog
Becky - You are wise, grasshopper. I have really fine, thin hair, and I spent waaaaay too many years trying to make it look thicker and wearing styles that were not suitable. Too many lost hours! I wear it even shorter than yours, and it is liberating to embrace my limitations. You are lucky in that this style *rocks* on you. It really looks terrific. It is smart to find your style and go with it, in hair, clothes, whatever. I will admit I look wistfully at others at times, but that’s human, I guess. It is fleeting, thank goodness. I, too, cannot wear full skirts and ruffles. But, like you, I can wear elegant, simple styles, and even vintage when it is vintage Hepburn. So, good for you! Variety is the spice of life, so love the variety you have been given!
Carol - You’re gorgeous! I love the do, too!
Tasia - You look gorgeous! What a wonderful way to start the new year!
Tracie W. - I just did ‘the chop’ myself!!!! I love your cut and am lovin’ mine as well! Coming into your own and accepting and loving who you are is ABSOLUTELY liberating. Loving your own look makes your style journey so much more exciting and fun!
astitchtoofew - I love the new haircut! Totally agree with the comments on style and I’m also a fine haired girl so short is best. The cut really suits you.
francesca - Your hair seriously suits you like this – but I have to say, I never thought it looked thin or whatever before, all I ever thought was what gorgeous red-gold hair…..
I get what you’re saying – I relate in a way – I love vintage style, and collect and use vintage patterns from the 30s and 50s – but I wouldn’t dream of taking it all the way to crinolines and victory rolls – I’d feel like I were in fancy dress.
Roobeedoo - Oh wow – your haircut looks fantastic! Feel like a rockstar? You LOOK like one!
I have had a similar fall-out with vintage style – I love it on other people but I felt like I was “failing” at it.
Erika - Love the new ‘do. It really suits you and brings out your features. I’ve had a variation of a pixie cut for over 20 years and I find that it fits my style and my need for extra sleep in the morning.
I completely agree with coming to finding what styles of clothing work for us and what we’re comfortable with. I LOVE vintage…but true vintage does not suit me or my personality. I started designing and drafting my own patterns because I enjoy taking vintage ideas and fitting them into my world. I think that’s one of my favorite things about clothing construction: true self-expression in a very practical way.
Shirley McKellar - I think the new cut looks wonderful. You have the perfect shaped face and cute pixie nose. Good Choice.
zilredloh - Oooh I love the new pixie hair do! Very chic and fun.
I loved reading this post from you today as I’m constantly thinking about what sewing projects are “me” as I learn to be a bit more discerning.
Thanks Sunni!
judi - I LOVE your new cut! Very flattering.
kata - It’s a really cute haircut. And I love how you connect it with the Everyday Wardrobe! Of which I am a fan.
morenna - Your new ‘do looks fantastic on you!
There must be something going around. I ended up cutting my hair off recently too. It had been long for fifteen years and now it’s nearly as short as yours again. Several people at work didn’t recognize me at first.
Blondell Howard - What a wonderful surprise to see your new hair style. It looks great on you, very becoming.
Misty - Welcome to the pixie club! I’ve been here for a couple of years now and I’m thoroughly enjoying myself. That cut looks great on you and I’m happy to hear you’re liking it.
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kathy - Just catching up with your blog and need to tell you how much I LOVE your hair. This cut was made for you. I cut my hair short about 20 years ago and I have never looked back. Don’t you find it liberating? Anyway, fabulous look.
Jane - Wow, your pixie dust hair cut looks fabulous on you. Really shows off your beautiful eyes.
Japanese Pattern Book Giveaway! » A Fashionable Stitch - [...] not for me. Now remember, this is pretty big time stuff for me to say too – do you recall this post? It’s OK that I know what my style is and what it is not. Am I right or am I [...]
It Just Isn't Me - The Finished Garment - [...] this blog post by Joanne at Stitch and Witter, which in turn inspired this other blog post by Sunni at a Fashionable Stitch about embracing your own personal style. I’m not sure which [...]
Shawn - I’m new to your blog and this was one of the first posts of yours that I’ve read. As someone who also has fine straight hair and can whole heartedly understand how GREAT it feels when you find the style that fits your hair rather then making your hair try to fit the style.
I too am in my 40′s and am trying to find a style that fits ‘me’ clothing wise. But I’m new to this journey and hope to someday come to the place where you seem to be
I just recently made my first ‘vintage inspired’ top complete with pixie collar and bow and have found that I love it. So hopefully I’m headed in the right direction.
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