Thursday, September 29, 2011

Travel wardrobe





I'm back from a great trip to Ukraine and Russia. The Russia part involved Moscow and St. Petersburg linked by cruising along waterways between the two cities. This involves the Volga River, many canals, and the two biggest lakes in Europe. How does this relate to sewing you may ask? I sewed most of my wardrobe, some specifically for this trip, and some already on hand. I was going to sew more including this top, which was under the needle of my machine on the eve of our departure, when I suddenly had to rush my DH to the emergency room. Such drama! He had fallen on our sidewalk (replacing a sprinkler at 8 pm the night before a trip without being packed.... dumb idea) and gashed the back of his head. 6 staples and we were home after 5 hours at 1:30 am. We kept telling the personal at the ER that we had to catch a plane in the morning so hurry up. Well, we didn't really say that. So that top did not get to go on the trip! (side bar: the doctor gave me a tool for removing the staples in 8 or 9 days in case we couldn't get to a doctor or clinic. Are you kidding me? I couldn't see going to a doctor in Moscow but on the other hand, me removing staples stuck in my husband's head? Fortunately, I found a nurse among our fellow travelers who was happy to help out. Trauma averted).

The basis for my wardrobe was this green ponte jacket for which I used Sewing Workshop's Onde Jacket. I wanted a longer jacket to cover my longer tops and one with handy pockets. It also needed to be loose enough to go over two or three layers and work under my Babette rain jacket. The Onde worked perfectly. With it I wore black ponte Marcy pants and skirt from Vogue 8697, purple ponte Marcy pants Vogue 8712, the purple ponte vest I made recently, a new Butterick 5679 top in a chartreuse animal print, Vogue 8582 Marcy top with high neck and long sleeves of black ribbed knit.



There were other things too but those were what I wore the most. Because it was chilly and damp I often layered a top, a thin black sweater wrapped across my front, the Onde jacket and my raincoat. A few times I even threw a black fleece shawl over that. Hard to imagine all those layers now that I am back home where it is still 90+ degrees.

9 comments:

Karin said...

I'm glad your husband is alright! It looks chilly there in Russia! Your wardrobe was perfect, and very pretty too!

Martha said...

Wonderful wardrobe for such a trip. Hope you had a great time. I visited Kiev Ukraine once about 10 years ago. Kiev did have a HUGE fabric store at that time. Don't know if you had time for fabric shopping. Thanks for sharing your wardrobe. Terrific1

Lori said...

First all,so happy your husband was alright and able to travel. Now to yur wardrobe, it is amazing and you look so stylish and chic on your trip. Thanks for sharing all the pictures.

Mary said...

Wonderful photos-it looks like the trip of a lifetime. I am glad your husband was okay-what a nightmare that must have been. I love the pieces in your travel wardrobe and will be sure to refer back to them as I plan my own trip in October. (to sunny Mexico, not the Ukraine)

shams said...

What a dream trip!!! I am drooling over your well planned wardrobe! I want to see more more more. :D

I am so happy it worked out ok with your husband and that you didn't have to remove the staples!!

Jane M said...

Terrific wardrobe for such a wonderful trip. So glad that you made it, despite that last minute scare. You must have impressed the other travlers and the Rusians with your chic, custom sewn outfits.

Eileensews said...

What a wonderful trip and wardrobe.
Glad your husband was ok.

gwensews said...

OMG--your porr husnband. That fall could have ended very badly. So glad he is ok. And what a beautiful trip to remember! You were stylin' all the way!

Gail said...

Missed this post earlier. Love the greenish cardigan. Russia looks beautiful if a little cold. Hope you read your Tolstoy before departure.