Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Warmer Weather Wardrobe

As you may have gathered by now, I'm kind of a slow sewer. It seems like, regardless of the project I'm working on, whether it's a simple blouse or a lined dress (with, evil, spawn of Satan sleeves), it takes me about a month to complete.

Trying to keep this in mind, I've put together a modest little plan for adding some warmer weather items to my wardrobe, working from what I've already got in my sewing room (let's just hope I can get them sewn up before the warmer season ends!). 

My spring/summer sewing ambitions are as follows:

I'm definitely in need of some cute casual blouses that aren't t-shirts. I'm currently (slowly!) working on Simplicity 3266 in this green and white cotton given to me by my boyfriend's mom, from her (amazing!) craft & fabric room.
Springy green + white dotted blouse fabric (Thanks, LuAnne!)
This is more of a test of this pattern...a wearable muslin, you might say? I know that another polka dotted anything is not really filling much of a gap, style/print-wise, in my wardrobe. Once I've got this pattern all figured out, I plan to make up many more in other fabrics!

As I mentioned last month, I'm also itching to finally make a Sencha blouse. I've been drooling over this pattern for what seems like forever and am determined to make one this spring/summer. I got this cute - yes, also polka dotted, - rayon shirting, so now all I need is MORE SEWING TIME!
Fabric.com - rayon shirting
One of my favorite (and most feared) parts of this pattern is the cute button-down back. I've got a disproportionate amount of red buttons in my stash, so I could use up some of those, or I could try my hand at the fabric-covered buttons I wimped out on for my Joan dress. I'm undecided at this point.

Lastly, for tops, I'm hoping I'll get to try the cute blouse that is part of the 1960's reproduction(?) pattern, Simplicity 2154. I have no idea what fabric I'd use for this. I might try this pretty rayon challis (not polka dotted!) I've had languishing in my stash for a while. I bought it with something twirly in mind, but haven't been able to decide on anything yet. I definitely like the soft drapeyness it's got goin' on and the colors would blend well in my wardrobe.
Green, blue, white, black abstract print rayon challis.
I'd been really drawn to pinks/reds/purples when I first began to think about sewing for the warmer months, but I'm trying to work from what I've already got. Greens and blues are more in my comfort zone, for some reason, so that's what I'm trying to work with...even though I want to be sewing with these babies I happened to notice (but didn't buy) over at Fabric Mart:
FLORAL!!!
pretty soft pink
As for non-blouse sewing plans, I'm pretty determined to make a dark blue, if not actual denim (which I'd have to go purchase), Ginger skirt. I've already tested this pattern out (resulting in an UN-wearable muslin, due to the horrendously ugly fabric I used), and I feel fairly comfortable with it. I've seen SO many cute denim versions out there in sewing blogland (Exhibit A), that I'm about to go insane with jealousy. I NEED ONE.

I've also had a pencil skirt on my to-sew list forever. Whether I use an existing pattern from my stash and try to get the fit just right, or try to come up with my own pattern using my measurements, I want to make this happen! In all honesty, though, it's not going to make or break my spring/summer sewing plans if I don't get it done since a pencil skirt is essentially season-less.

As for the exciting part, DRESSES, I've got a few weddings this spring and summer, so I'm hoping to come up with something, so I can be all  "OMG, congratulations on getting married! - p.s. I MADE this dress, people!!!!!!!!!!" ...I'll keep you posted. :)

Wish me luck!

7 comments:

  1. Hi! I came to your blog through Stitch & Witter's recommendation... she said if we haven't checked out your website yet that we must be a lunatic... well I am, but I thought I'd check out your blog anyway! LOL

    I too am a slow sewer, but as I'm behind on the Sew Colette sewalong, I've devised a very meticulous plan to achieve sewing at least two garments in one month instead of one LOL. If this works out, it'll be wonderful because like you, I have tons of things on my to-make list and at the current rate I sew, i'll be done when I'm in my nineties at least LOL.

    Love your dotted fabrics... so pretty! I want to try Sencha too one day! You should definitely go for that soft pink gingham... I think that's something almost anyone could wear, and the pattern is soft, so from far away, it might almost feel like a neutral :)

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    1. Thanks, Symon!

      Don't tempt me with that pink gingham; I'm starting to feel a deep physical urge to have it. Thing is, once I put it in my online shopping cart, I'll have to add a few more things - you know, to be eligible for free shipping - and I have a feeling things could really go downhill from there! I'm trying to restrain myself. :)

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    2. Ahh to have the temptation of free shipping!! I'm from Canada so shipping cost is always a necessary evil LOL. My philosophy is that once you get a deep physical need for a fabric, it's futile to ignore it... it must be yours and it's calling out to you!! LOL

      Yes... I'm an enabler LOL.

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  2. It all sounds so cute! I think using up some of your red buttons on the second blouse is a great idea. The back-buttons are part of what makes the blouse unique and the red would make them stand out. I've also been eyeing that floral fabric but, I have a habit of adding more and more fabric to my cart to get the most of the shipping charge so, I'm holding off for now...

    I can't wait to see how your green blouse turns out :-)

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  3. Bahahahaha, weddings... and yes you like my dres.... I made it myself *GRIN* Sounds exactly my masterplan too, I look forward to seeing your dressmaking progress. We can reflect upon our work together.

    Speak soon, Caffy x

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  4. I'm slow too... mostly because I'm like "oh hai striped fabric, wouldn't it be fun to transform into chevrons? Wouldn't it you lovely piece of fabric? Yes? Hmmm... how exactly do you make chevrons?" or... "Oh hai pretty lace, wouldn't you make a really cute overlay...if only I knew how to sew lace!" The way I figure it, if I start sewing for summer now, with fall colors in mind, I may be able to wear it early winter!

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  5. Oh, yay for the polka dots! I'm sure you'll come up with some great plans for dresses!

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