A Handmade Travel Wardrobe by Nandita
Rae here to introduce you to our guest contributor for today, Nandita!
Nandita caught my eye when she began posting clothing she was sewing for herself on Instagram with my patterns. Her fabric choices are stunning and she frequently posts photos of her makes while she is traveling. Seeing her handmade items in faraway, beautiful places…it’s like getting to travel vicariously through Nandita’s Instagram feed.
What I love most about Nandita’s handmade travel wardrobe is that she doesn’t shy away from bold prints and colors. This isn’t your average “travel capsule” — the combination of her gorgeous makes against the backdrop of her travels creates something truly special.
I asked Nandita to tell you about her personal connection with sewing and travel, and she agreed! Here’s Nandita:
Have you ever been asked, “what are your favorite things to do”? I never even have to hesitate…reading, sewing, and traveling have always been my top three. When I was growing up, I would visit my local library and always check out books that involved far away lands and places. As I got older, I would sit in my high school history and Spanish classes and tell myself, “one day, I’m going to go to Europe. I’m going to see where El Greco lived in Spain. I’ll visit London, Paris, and Rome”.
As I entered college in 1992, I didn’t have as much time to daydream of countries and sights. I did, however, sign up for an AT&T phone line account that had point incentives. Fast forward to 1998, as a newly-wed trying to close her accounts, I realized I had earned a hefty number of reward points. All those years had begun to add up and lo and behold, I had accumulated enough miles for a roundtrip ticket to Europe! I was ecstatic and that trip changed my life. My wanderlust was no longer daydreams and wishes. I decided on that first trip to Europe, I was going to travel as often as I could.
As it does, life continued and as I settled into my career and family, I found myself wanting to share my love of travel with my kids. I was only sewing for them at the time and mainly home dec, but my trusty machine and books were always in the background. I had always wanted to sew my wardrobe and I often felt that vacation sewing would be less stressful because even if it wasn’t perfect, who would really know? I mean, I was on vacation and nobody knew me or that I sewed. It lessened the self pressure/need for perfection and allowed me to experiment with both style and aesthetic.
Each trip, I would read and research my destinations, the climate, culture, accessibility . Then, I would go through my patterns and sew items that I felt would be the most practical for me.
I started sharing my makes on Instagram where I discovered there were countless independent designers and patterns. It’s here where I found Made By Rae patterns. I was drawn to the simplicity of the line drawings and the quiet elegance of each pattern… yoked neckline, a slightly gathered bodice, bias cut dresses, pants and joggers that could be dressed up/down. I was even more impressed that I would be able to use my healthy stash of wovens to make my vacation wardrobe.
A global pandemic occurred and like everyone else, my life changed. Once we were able, and countries were accessible again, I booked two trips to Europe. My first was a quick visit to see my son who was studying in Madrid. My second trip was our summer vacation to Italy…Rome, Milan, and Florence. I flew to Spain in March, where the weather was still not quite spring but not frigid either. My Luna pants were ideal. I made a pair in a bright blue Ankara fabric. I wore these all over the city of Toledo, which also happens to be where the famous artist, El Greco, worked and retired. My high school dreams had come true! I walked through the ancient city marveling at both the beauty and preservation. I saw El Greco’s home and museum where the famous Twelve Apostles paintings are quietly tucked in a cellar awaiting curious travelers to admire. I spent an entire day walking back in time.
The picture of me in my blue Lunas was taken in the old Jewish quarter of Toledo. I am standing in a small alley that leads to the Synagogue.
“I flew to Spain in March, where the weather was still not quite spring but not frigid either. My Luna pants were ideal. I made a pair in a bright blue Ankara fabric. I wore these all over the city of Toledo, which also happens to be where the famous artist, El Greco, worked and retired. My high school dreams had come true! I walked through the ancient city marveling at both the beauty and preservation.”
My second adventure involved a little bit more planning. It was a longer trip and Italy is hot in June so I knew that I needed to wear garments that would keep me cool and comfortable. An added detail is that I was going to be visiting historic and sacred monuments that required knees and shoulders covered. I knew I wanted to make a few dresses and Ruby was the first that came to mind. For my vacation looks, I extended the pattern to create flowy maxis.
“My son and I went on a small adventure in the neighborhood where we caught the perfect light for my dress and the skies were clear blue with the Basilica behind me. I wish you could hear the pics, because while we were clicking away, the bells were ringing and the sounds and smells of the neighborhood were just magical.”
In Rome, we stayed in a charming airbnb near the Vatican. From our street we could see Saint Peter’s Basilica…I couldn't ask for a better backdrop. For this Ruby, I used scraps from a quilting cotton for the yoke and an Ankara fabric for the skirt. It was a heavier material but was more than appropriate to visit the churches. My son and I went on a small adventure in the neighborhood where we caught the perfect light for my dress and the skies were clear blue with the Basilica behind me. I wish you could hear the pics, because while we were clicking away, the bells were ringing and the sounds and smells of the neighborhood were just magical.
My next outfit in Rome was the first pair of Lunas I ever made. Earlier in the post, I wrote of how vacation sewing has always been less stressful for me. These particular Lunas were made a few years back but I never wore them because I accidentally cut the back pieces upside down. When packing, I kept looking at my bright orange joggers. I realized, who cares if the print is upside down? The joggers are so cute and for all the walking we were going to be doing, they would be most practical. In a way, I think they may have been destined for Rome. I visited the famous Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps in my fun orange printed Lunas. Several people even complimented me on my “cool” and “fun” outfit.
“The joggers are so cute and for all the walking we were going to be doing, they would be most practical. In a way, I think they may have been destined for Rome. I visited the famous Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps in my fun orange printed Lunas.”
A train ride to Milan and Florence and my Rubys were once again the perfect pairing. In Milan, I saw The Last Supper by Da Vinci in my Indian cotton printed version. In Florence, I enjoyed a glass of wine from the only operating wine window in all of Italy. My maxi dresses were really put to the test in Florence. Florence is a very small city with narrow streets and alleys and being comfortable is paramount. I spent the day walking through art galleries and museums, where I stood speechless in front of Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus and marveled at Caravaggio’s Medusa. I audibly gasped when I entered the Accademia and in front of me stood the original David sculpted by Michelangelo. Each painting, each sculpture, showcases the artists’ passions and their love of art and history.
I feel that way about sewing. Sewing allows me to form connections to makers and in essence, the world around me. Every trip I take, I search and find textiles/fabric to bring home with me. I carefully create garments using these fabrics not only as an outfit, but as a moment in time. While I’m sewing, I am reminded of my adventures and how I found the fabric or who I might have met while I was shopping. And, then when I wear my dresses/outfits, I am instantly taken back. It's as if I can once again hear the bells of the Sistine Chapel. I can feel the spray of the water from the Trevi Fountain in my orange Lunas. My gray Ruby maxi might be my most favorite because in that dress I stood in the square where the birth of the Renaissance occurred. It is here where centuries ago, the Medici family commissioned Botticelli to paint his masterpieces. In this square, Michelangelo walked through everyday, on his way to sculpt one of the world’s most famous statues.
“My gray Ruby maxi might be my most favorite because in that dress I stood in the square where the birth of the Renaissance occurred. It is here where centuries ago, the Medici family commissioned Botticelli to paint his masterpieces. In this square, Michelangelo walked through everyday, on his way to sculpt one of the world’s most famous statues.”
My travels have taken me around the world, I have seen vastly different geography, architecture, culture, and climate. Yet, on each of these trips, as I paused and looked around, I saw so much of the same. Young adults racing to work, parents guiding their children, older adults smiling and laughing together reminiscing the “good ole days”; after all, aren’t we all wanting to feel a part of something? Could it be one of the reasons we makers keep creating and sharing? Is it because the connections we make through sewing allow us to build communities–regardless of where we are from or where we live?
For me, travel recharges my spirit of adventure and making. I am able to see the world through a lens of curiosity and connection. Each trip reminds me why I make, why I actively seek out other creatives. Sewing and travel go hand in hand and I hope I can keep going on adventures near and far.
Thank you so much, Nandita!
By the way: in addition to Ruby and Luna, Nandita is also wearing the Isabella top from Hubba Ding Patterns (blue Ankara outfit), and the Peppermint Peplum (yellow top) from Peppermint Magazine in this post.
You can follow along with Nandita’s sewing and travels on her Instagram account, @divinedita.
And if you’d like to try making your own version of Ruby or Luna, you can find both of those patterns in print and digital formats in my shop!
