I write this as SXSW and thousands of bloggers and musicians descend on my hometown of Austin, Texas. While I’ve only ever attended one interactive conference, the first one way back (I think?) in 1997, every year the general buzz of technology inspires me to a rush of blog-making and all sorts of go-forth, young woman, go-forth online adventures.

In this new blog, dear reader, I expose my sewing habits. Last year I was inspired by Nina Garcia’s fun book, The One Hundred, to write a list of my own must-have pieces. Even if style advice ain’t your thing, this book is awesome alone for its hundreds of quirky illustrations by Ruben Toledo.

There comes a time in every woman’s life where her clothing starts feeling like flings with cheap trends. I love fashion and always have and love investing in good pieces (especially shoes). Some of my “must-have” pieces I’ll buy but I’m taking the challenge of learning how to make some of these for myself, like a classic tailored blazer or dress shirt. Along the way, I might even sew something for my husband (he’s been begging for a smoking jacket).

I thought about calling this blog “clothes habit” but since a majority of my sewing ideas remain in a state of uncut cloth, it’s more of a, um, cloth habit. So here I go accruing tools, machines, fabric and hopefully sewing my own classics… Which by, the way, start with this list (to be continued as I find I need more!):

1. The classic stripey tee
2. The classic white shirt
3. A classic black (or white) blazer
4. A white shirtdress
5. The camel coat
6. The red cape
7. The tuxedo pant
8. The perfect summer wide-leg trouser

Cheers!