Lipstick? What does that have to do with sewing? Well, everything, as it turns out, especially with sewing for 2023. LIPSTICK is the word I have chosen for 2023 to guide my sewing aspirations. And because sewing is so much a part of my life, the word LIPSTICK will undoubtably become a reminder and guide and focus for so many other aspects of my life as well.
How did I ever decide on such a word to guide me through this brand new year? First of all, I am not finished with PINK, my focus for 2022. Truth be told, I’ll never be finished with pink – the color or the joie de vivre it inspires in me – but certainly I wanted a new, expansive word for what I hope will be a year of great optimism and promise and accomplishment. So, pink led me to think of lipstick, with its many pink and red and coral and orange hues – and all the ways a gorgeous shade of lipstick can enhance the colors we wear, be they black, navy, white, green, yellow, brown, etc. But lipstick is more than that.
For me, lipstick is instant confidence. Lipstick adds power to a smile with a simple swipe of color. Lipstick tells the world one is ready for something special, even if it is just a simple trip to the grocery store. Lipstick is feminine and fun and frock-worthy.
But don’t just take my word for it. Here is what some notable people have said about lipstick (and pink) over the decades:
“If you’re sad, add more lipstick and attack.” Coco Chanel
“On a bad day, there’s always lipstick.” Audrey Hepburn
“Lipstick is the red badge of courage.” Man Ray
“I believe in manicures. I believe in overdressing. I believe in primping at leisure and wearing lipstick.” Audrey Hepburn
“If there was [sic] no more pink lipstick un the world, I’d be useless.” Nicki Minaj
“Start each day with your favorite lipstick and a beautiful smile.” Unknown
“Pour yourself a drink, put on some lipstick, and pull yourself together.” Elizabeth Taylor
“I believe in pink.” Audrey Hepburn
“You can never go wrong with a little pink … a lot works for me.” Dana Dalgetty
“Just have fun. Smile. And keep putting on lipstick.” Diane Keaton
“She has a way with words, red lipstick and making an entrance.” Kate Spade.
Making that entrance is where our love of sewing and feeling beautiful in our clothes comes into play. This year, for me, promises to have a number of occasions where an “entrance” has the potential to be made (parties, events, significant milestones, hopefully lots of entertaining). So – what do I have planned to wear to those occasions?
I am dreaming of a dress made from this pale pink plaid wool, buttery soft with a little glimmer to it.
This navy blue cotton sateen will either become a mid-calf length full skirt or a long-sleeved sheath dress. Thoughts, anyone?
More blouses are in my sewing queue, one in orange cotton and one in pink and green gingham.
Being carried over from 2022 will be a long-ish skirt made of this glorious silk twill:
My love of coats continues, as I hope to make one wool boucle coat (if I have enough fabric – shown below) with coordinating silk dress – and one pink floral linen coat with coordinating linen dress.
Two jackets are in my plans, a classic French jacket in black boucle with orange and cream accents (which is currently waiting to be finished), and a black cashmere jacket (at present underway) to wear with this dress and others.
A fancy silk party dress in fuchsia? I hope so….
As long as my granddaughters seem to enjoy wearing the dresses I make for them, I will keep sewing for them – 3 each again this year? I hope I can manage that.
And who knows what else? I will let my inspiration and time (!) guide me. No matter what, I’ll be aspiring to enhance every outfit with the perfect lipstick and its promise of living beautifully, day in and day out, in the easy times and over the long haul.
So, dear sewing friends and readers, put on your lipstick and have a sparkling new sewing year!
fiftydresses 
Love the detail in that first dress pattern 🥰 You have a wonderful collection of classic patterns with a subtle twist.
I should perhaps follow your lead and actually put a plan together of what I would like to sew myself this year and I may actually get it done!
(And will wear lipstick vicariously as I don’t own any😁)
Happy New Year
When putting a plan together, it helps, I have found, to keep it flexible. I will say, it is quite rewarding to cross things off my list as the year goes on! Thanks so much for your comment, Sharron, and Happy New Year to you, as well!
I loved seeing your sewing plans for 2023. Beautiful fabrics. I have been very loosely been planning my year in the sewing room. I’m looking forward to seeing your French jacket. Maybe there will be one in my future also. And, I always have my lipstick on 😉.
Wishing you all the best this year.
Thank you, Jan! I love your happy comment.
For the sateen fabric I like the long skirt suggestion.
When I was young the most important item in my makeup bag was mascara. Now that I am older I would definitely say it is lipstick!
I bought that sateen fabric with the idea of making a long skirt. Then I started thinking more about it and wondered if a dress might be an option providing more opportunity for wearing. So, I am undecided, but leaning slightly towards my original plan. Thanks for your comment!
Yes to lipstick! Re: the sateen – palazzo pants?
Hi Janet, well, that’s an idea I had not thought of for the sateen. Not sure I am tall enough to carry off palazzo pants, but I love the thought of them. And I agree – YES to lipstick.
I admire your style, organization & productivity. Go Gurrl! And I’d be happy to see your navy cotton sateen as a tunic top, like the Vogue pattern one you trimmed with navy grosgrain last year. But we’re a bit more casual out West here.
Interestingly, we split our time between Pennsylvania and Wyoming and I need a different wardrobe for each place (for the most part.) So, I understand about the casual West. However, I am not against “overdressing” in either location!
What a lovely post, it makes me smile… just off to find my lipstick. Thank you. Cynthia in UK
Ah, thank you, Cynthia! Your comment made ME smile!
Always so enjoy your columns. So eloquent and interesting. Thank you.
You’re welcome – and thank you, Shelley!
Lipstick! Yes! 🙂 It is one of those things that boosts my spirit every time, and I do almost always wear it when I go out or have company. I appreciate how you tied it in to sewing. Subtle things like that can change how we feel and how we go through our day. I have had a tough year and a half of surgeries, resulting in a permanent ostomy, which could leave a girl feeling less than. But I have been blessed by being able to focus on continuing to take care of myself and doing things that make me feel happy. Sewing something nice for myself will be a goal for me this year. Your posts truly inspire me every time, and I really enjoy them. Oh, and I will keep wearing lipstick! 🙂
I hope you will sew something nice – or two or three somethings nice! – for yourself this year. You sound like you have an inimitable spirit and a wonderfully positive attitude – which is inspiring for me and most likely for all your friends and acquaintances. Thank you so much for sharing a little slice of your life and thoughts – we shall be wearing our lipstick together!
Thank you for such inspiration and sharing your makes for the new year!
My pleasure, Ginger – thank you for your interest!
I love this post so much! And I envy your sewing skills. Thank you for this and Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to you as well, Stacey – and thank you for your very kind comment!
Wow! you have great sewing plans for the coming year.
Let me comment on Vogue 6919. I love view B, the sleeveless version. I imagine a line of stunning buttons down the back.
But I definitely wouldn’t use that plaid pink wool for any sheath dress. Instead I’d use a brocade or other fabric with texture.
View A with sleeves and a solid color looks like a dress for a funeral (I think it’s the neckline that bothers me).
Anyway, the pink plaid wool is beautiful fabric but I don’t know what kind of garment would work for it.
I also love the second vogue pattern (can’t see the numbers). The sleeveless princess line dress is very graceful and will make a lovely outfit with the jacket. There are lots of choices for fabrics, including doing a solid jacket and patterned dress or the reverse.
I always enjoy hearing other’s thoughts on patterns and fabrics – thanks so much for sharing yours! I may end up changing my mind on that pattern, but for now, it is still in the plans… That is part of the fun of sewing – we get to change our minds and change course, even! Aren’t we lucky?
Here’s two wool spring coat patterns that might work for your pink plaid fabric: http://www.ericabunker.com/2016/01/review-vogue-9123-perfect-plaid-coat.html
https://www.vintagepatternwarehouse.com/inc/sdetail/1960-vogue–9566-vintage-sewing-pattern–misses–stylish-barrel-shaped-jacket-in-two-lengths-size-14/313/4634
Now I wish I had a plaid spring coat!
Love that blue silk. I would do a sheath dress because I love wearing dresses! Whatever you make will be BEAUTIFUL!
I, too, like wearing dresses. And I love that fabric so much, I’m tempted to use it for a style which I will be able to wear often.
Karen, I’m not sure which is your greater gift, writing or sewing. You exude creativity. Your skill with needle and thread combined with your amazing ability to bring forth an idea with words are what make reading your articles a highlight. I always look forward to each new blog post. Thank you for being a source of so much inspiration.
Thank you so much for your comment which has been so rewarding for me to read and reread. I am sometimes amazed that anybody wants to read about my sewing! I am so grateful to you and others who encourage me in ways you cannot know.
You show wonderful restraint in purchasing fabric and choose some really beautiful, unusual ones! I love the white w/ colorful foliage and fuchsia dots to go with your fuchsia silk blouse, as well as the Britex charmeuse and the navy sateen with varied dots! I need to develop more restraint in my fabric shopping and learn to be more selective. Perhaps I am much better shopping for fabric in-person, which only happens when I travel. Online shopping is convenient, but a lot of effort compared to in-person, where one can quickly spot their favorites and size up its attributes by handling it…
I agree, fabric shopping online is not the easiest thing ever, but often it is the only choice we have. I have definitely had some surprises from online shopping – both good ones and bad ones!
LOVE all the great quotes and inspiring projects.
Thank you, Elaine! I always love a good quote…
Beautiful choices and great inspiration! Look forward to seeing your creations!
Thank you, Suzanne. We shall see how the sewing year unfolds!
Love the tweedy plaid for the first pattern
Thank you, Renata! I think the fabric is prettier in person…
Absolutely fabulous, I love it all! And I agree, lipstick is the icing on the cake for every out fit, no matter where you are going, even if you are cleaning house!!
Thank you, Diane!
Oh how I will love following your sewing this year! These hoped for garments sound wonderful! The fabrics look so lovely. Pink is not a color I can wear well, but I love seeing it on others who can wear it. I hope we will soon see the two jackets that are underway. Happy sewing in 2023, with lipstick!!!!!!
Thank you, Carol. With any luck you will see one of the black jackets soonish. I have a bit of traveling to finish before I can really start sewing, but such is life! Happy New Year to you!
I’m so excited to see your plans take shape. I especially love the Vogue long sleeve dress! As always, so inspiring. When do you fit your sewing in? Is it consistent or when you happen to find time?
You are doing a such good job of posting. I’m really enjoying reading and your projects . Please, do post the girls dresses. I’m also sewing for my granddaughter and like to use vintage dresses patterns as i think it’s fit better and look better.
Waiting for more posts from you.