One-third of my laptop screen went on holidays a fortnight ago and it has been downhill ever since. Not worth fixing screen says computer man. Son Casey called on to help select new laptop (MacBook Air) and the tortuous process of getting files, systems and programs in sync.

Meantime the old-old laptop previously pensioned-off due to hot flushes that may, or may not, have resulted from being dropped on its head (off a bus rack while travelling) has acquitted itself well and got me through until today when, magically, the new laptop became fully operational. THANKS CASEY and here’s wishing this laptop a long and happy life.

Another bit of excitement this week was a visit from image consultant Rita Noon, whom I wrote about a few weeks ago in Sew 231. After purchasing Rita’s e-book Get Dressed Not Stressed, I decided it was worth going the whole hog and arranged for a body proportion analysis based on actual measurements (no disguising the chocolate-biscuit habit!). 

I’m officially of short-torso/long-leg proportion, Vertical Figure Type A, which seems surprising for a short person.  We all have some idea of our shape and know that some clothes are more flattering than others, but we’re not always sure why. Rita uses Gail Florin’s Your Ideal Silhouette interpretation and provides great insights into highlighting good points and disguising bad ones.

Although this analysis dates back to 1991, facts and figures don’t change and I’m interested in integrating the best shapes for me into my wardrobe during the rest of this Sew it Again year. That’s the great thing about sewing, op-shopping and upcycling – you are not dependent on ‘ready-to-wear’ garments instore and online at the moment because you can change garments to suit your own style and needs.

It also turns out I’m Winter, not a Summer as per the colour swatch I received decades ago when I originally had my colours done. At least these seasons are both cool tones and opshop finds come in random colours anyway, so no harm done.  There’s information about finding out about your best colours here – there’s definitely something in it.

As I looked around the web for information on colours, I also discovered great information about eco-clothing here on the comprehensive The Chic Fashionista website.

My quick upcycle for Sew 255 is a crochet square which I folded into quarters on the diagonal. I draped this across my shoulders, to extend them and bring them more into proportion with my lower body, then secured on the side with a safety-pin brooch. While the colours in the crochet are not ideal (too much yellow), I teamed this with long-line brown and enjoyed the result as a between-season option before Spring truly arrives in the Southern Hemisphere.