Weekly Timeless Wardrobe, Week 9

Week 9 of the Weekly Timeless Wardrobe has arrived.  You can find it here.  The introduction chart is always a good plan to start if you are just now bumping into this series.

Week 9 is a neutral print or pattern top.  I don't really have time to work on a blouse so I'm going to make another t-shirt.  Here's my pattern:

It's the Sweater Set pattern by Silhouettes.  I more or less already have this pattern fitted so I should be used it.  I've run out of time to work on the top this week but here is the fabric that I will be using:

I also have black and gray sweaters that will would for this week.  Both sweaters are light weight with cables.

Are you working through this series?  How it is going for you?

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Tie-Neck Silk Blouse

Here's a lovely long-sleeved blouse to consider:

This is the Lafayette 148 New York Diana Mini Modernist Tie-Neck Silk Blouse. Price tag: $548.00.  Features:  Pointed collar, self-tie neckline, long sleeves, button cuff, back yoke, center box pleat, semi-fitted, and shirt-tail hem.   For a closer look, head over to Neiman Marcus.  Check out the "How to Wear It" section for additional ideas.

I've used the following pattern many times in inspiration posts but I think it's a good match for this type of blouse:

This is the Grainline Studio Archer pattern.   This is very close to the inspiration picture.  Add a self-fabric tie, leave off the pockets, and possible make the cuffs wider.   

Remember if you already have a shirt pattern fitted.  Use it.  Save those dollars for some fabulous fabric.  Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Weekly Timeless Wardrobe, Week 8

Week 8 of the Weekly Timeless Wardrobe has arrived.  You can find it here.  The introduction chart is always a good plan to start if you are just now bumping into this series.

Week 8 is a light neutral shirt.  White is a default for this kind of item.  I think I would like to add light gray shirt or pink or blue or perhaps all three.  This item is not currently in the wardrobe. I do not currently have a shirt pattern fitted and I don't have any light gray, pink, or blue fabric.  

I do have a pattern in mind for the shirt.  It has been on my list of things to do for a couple of years.  Here's the pattern:

The Grainline Studio Archer.  I use this pattern a lot for inspiration.  I do this specifically so I will make myself fit the pattern.  This fall I will get it done.

Are you working through this series?  How it is going for you?


Happy Stitching!  

Contemporary Kimono...It's Done!

This jacket took longer than I thought that it would.  Life kinda got in the way of any sewing.  Just so you can keep you with what I'm doing, here are the previous posts on this subject:

1.  Inspiration...Kimono Jacket
2.  Comtemporary Kimono...The Planning
3.  Contemporary Kimono...The Time Had Come to Start
4.  Contemporary Kimono...Stitching Complete on the Main Body

Finished Kimono:

I did make a change and it is minor.  After reading through the directions for the sleeve band, I decided to double it.  I just felt that the double layer would stitch a bit better given that I had no intention of putting interfacing on the bands.

Details:

1.  Needles used for hand stitching were Size 24 Cross Stitch Needle.
2.  Thread was DMC Size 8 Pearl Cotton.  I used 1 spool.

Advice:

1.  Pay very close attention to the layout information or you will not have enough fabric.
2.  Decide before sewing the pieces together how you want your seams finished.  In some cases, it's better to finish before stitching together.  In other cases, it's better to wait till your finished.

Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Elbow Sleeved Tee

Everyone needs a basic top in the wardrobe.  This one fits the bill:

This is the Eileen Fisher Organic Cotton Elbow-Sleeve Jersey Tee.  Price tag: $68.00.  Check Neiman Marcus for close ups of this tee.  Details:  Oversized fit, curved hem, elbow length sleeve, crew neck.

To me, this looks very much like a top that I recently fitted with the exception of the curved hem and the ribbed neckline.  I can do that.  Here's the pattern:

The is the Textile Studio Patterns Basic Top pattern.  It is out-of-print but you could possible find it.  The internet delivers this sort of pattern from time-to-time.  View B would be the match for the inspiration picture.  You can see the version that I made here. 

There are many t-shirt type top patterns.  Perhaps you have one that is already fitted. 

Hope your inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Weekly Timeless Wardrobe, Week 7

Week 7 of the Weekly Timeless Wardrobe has arrived.  You can find it here.  The introduction chart is always a good plan to start if you are just now bumping into this series.

Week 7 is a 2nd layer.  What is a 2nd layer?  I think of it as a cardigan, a light weight jacket, or perhaps a long shirted shirt that can be worn over a tank or t-shirt.  So, what did I choose?  I am working on a kimono jacket.    
I'm a wee bit behind schedule on it but hopefully will have it finished soon.

**Update - link to kimono jacket.

Are you working through this series?  How it is going for you?

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Striped T-Shirt

I'm going to throw this out there because you might be able to come up with different combinations than the inspiration photo:

This is the Tory Burch Mix Striped Long-Sleeve Crew Neck Sweater.  Price tag: $248.00.  For a closer look, check out Neiman Marcus.

Even though they call this a sweater, it looks very much like a t-shirt to me.  I like the mix of the two stripes.  However, I think you could mix it up even further with polka dots or floral.  This would be a have a little fun type top.  It would be a great way to use up those large pieces of fabric that you can bring yourself to get rid of.  Get Creative!

Hope you're inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Wardrobe Planning...Why is it So Hard?

Surely, I am not the only one who finds wardrobe planning hard?  Sometimes, it seems elusive.  You think that you have a good base and suddenly there isn't anything to wear.  I suppose it could be the change in seasons that cause that.  I pretty much try to plan spring/summer and fall/winter.  There is overlap because we can't really plan for how the weather is going to be.  So the planning needs to include items that can go for any season. 

I have tried different planning schemes and sometimes that work reasonably well.  I think part of the issue is that it should be an on going process and I quit when I get to what I think is good.  Here are the different schemes that I have tried in the past:

1.  Starting a Capsule Wardrobe From Scratch  at The Vivienne Files.  This worked well when I started it.  I doubt that I followed all the through but I did pick a color scheme which I still basically follow. 

2. Design Your Wardrobe at Seamwork.  I enjoyed the process but never really followed through with sewing.  I think I will be attempting this again this year.  Although the Design Your Wardrobe is for paid members at Seamwork, there is a free mini version here.  Interested in the more detailed version of the wardrobe planning, use this link and get a $3 discount on the subscription of your choice.  I do get a small benefit from the use of that link.

3.  Weekly Timeless Wardrobe at The Vivienne Files.  This is a newish series at The Vivienne Files.  I am following this to check the basics in the wardrobe and replacing as needed.  Sometimes, it will be purchasing RTW, sometimes sewing, and sometimes acknowledging that at this time something does not need replacing.

Right now, I feel like there is not anything to wear in the wardrobe.  Blues jeans and tees are always an option but I only own 1 pair of jeans and I am not sure that I really need more.  With that being said, if I found a dark wash in a good fabric they would be mine.  I am not interested in holey jeans.  I guess part of the problem is that shopping, planning, and sewing all take time. Time that I may or may not want to put in.

Here is an article that I found in the Seamwork magazine - Dr. Sewlove. Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Make a Plan.  I understand this person.  

My goal with my wardrobe is have something to wear daily and for whatever occasion I need it for.  I like the flexibility of the Capsule Wardrobe but sometimes it doesn't feel like enough.  How do you handle your planning?  Do you just stitch or purchase without some kind of a plan?  Do you end up with things that you don't wear?  I'm interested to hear what you have to say about this issue.

Happy Stitching!

Weekly Timeless Wardrobe, Week 6

Week 6 of the Weekly Timeless Wardrobe has arrived.  You can find it here.  The introduction chart is always a good plan to start if you are just now bumping into this series.

The Week 6 is a dark dress pant.  I do need to replace a pair of black dressy pants that I had orginally purchased at Christopher and Banks.  I really wanted to replace with the same style but unfortunately it is no longer being sold.  So sad, because those were really great travel pants.  I decided to purchase a new pair of black pants.  The ones I purchased were from Kohl's and were called Lee's Secretly Shapes.  Here's a picture:

These pants have a scooped from pocket similar to jeans with a welt back pocket.  

I also have a pair of navy pants called Everyday Trouser Pants from Christopher and Banks.  A pair of charcoal grey pants.  I think I'm set for this type of pant for a while.  Generally, I wear the navy in the spring/summer but nothing says that you can't wear it in the fall/winter as well. 

I may also take average of the fitting opportunities in the upcoming Pant Fitting Class to make some great fitting pants.  With a little planning, I might be able to get ahead of the wardrobe planning and get some basic fabric for next spring/summer.

If you're participating in this series, how's the planning going for you?  Do you find that you're adding new items?  Is it helpful to think in big blocks of 13 weeks at a time?

Happy Stitching

Contempary Kimono...Stitching Complete on the Main Body

The hand stitching for the kimono has moved along quicker than I thought and I'm very pleased.  Just so you can keep you with what I'm doing, here are the previous posts on this subject:

1.  Inspiration...Kimono Jacket
2.  Comtemporary Kimono...The Planning
3.  Contemporary Kimono...The Time Had Come to Start

Here are the finished components:

Front

Back

Sleeves

The only decision left now is the front band.  I'm really leaning toward using a blank band on the front.  Here's an approximation of what it would look like:

Black Front Band

The other choice would be is use the same fabric as the rest of the jacket.   Next post on this subject will be the completed jacket.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Leather Trimmed Tote

When I saw this tote, I knew I had to share it. It's big. It's expensive.  This is why we create.

This is the Bottega Venta Large Leather Trimmed Linen Tote.  Price tag: $2495.00.  Details:  Linen with leather trim, rolled top handles, open top, 20.5" H x 15" W x 8.3" D.  This is a big bag.  Perfect for travel.

Here's some options:

This is Laura's Tote by The Creative Thimble.  You can find it here.   The large size is very close to this pattern.  You would need to modify the top portion a little bit to get it to match the inspiration photo.

Here's a slightly different bag with a closed top:

  

This is the Summer Tote by Lazy Girl Designs.  You can find it here.  This bag is a smaller bag but it isn't hard to make it larger.

Hope you're inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Sewing!

Weekly Timeless Wardrobe, Week 5

Week 5 of the Weekly Timeless Wardrobe has arrived.  You can find it here.  The introduction chart is always a good plan to start if you are just now bumping into this series.

The week 5 is jeans or a denim bottom.  This isn't anything here that doesn't say you can't have multiples here.  My wardrobe could definitely use an update in this area.  I would like to add a pair of gray jeans and a pair of black jeans or skirt.

I could make a skirt easily sometime over the next couple of weeks.  However, the jeans would require a lot more fitting time.  I am going to be starting a Pant Fitting Class in September.  Any pant attempts will wait until that the class has been taken.  Who knows I may actually end up with a pair of pants by the end of the class.

I am interested in some RTW jeans from Lands' End.  They are perfect for my color choices.  I just need to wait a few days before placing any type of any order. 

Are you participating in the series even if it is for evaluating like I'm doing?  How are you following along?  Are you finding it helpful?

Happy Stitching!