Wardrobe Building....

What kind of sewist are you?  Are you a person who just like to sew?  Do you just decide to make an item and make it? or do you sew with a plan?

As I've gotten older, fitting the patterns as gotten harder whether it's from the extra fluff or shoulders moving forward from sitting at a desk all day.  Things just seem to shift around making muslins a necessity.

I have been trying the last couple of years to make or purchase items that work together.  I started this with Starting From Scratch at The Vivienne Files.  There is a ton of information at that website regarding wardrobe building.  I've watched along with the 6-PAC sewing over at Stitcher's Guild under Fashion, Style, & Wardrobe. The basic formula is 2 jackets/cardigans or layering pieces, 2 tops, 2 bottoms. This follows the seasons so that you can be ready with a couple of new outfits for the next season.  I have never successfully completed this.  I have made a couple of items generally tops.  There is also a SWAP sewing event at Stitcher's Guild.  I have never participated in that.  It is more than I want to think about at once, generally. 

So let's fast forward to what I'm working on this month.  I started the Design Your Wardrobe session at Seamwork.  This is been very thought provoking and well worth the time.  I have no idea if I will make all the items that are in my little plan but it has certainly been a journey getting here.  I'm going to see where this little journey takes me but I can tell you that I really want to clean out my closet. I will be pointing out items that I make as I sew along that belong to the plan made with Design Your Wardrobe.  Let's see how I do.

What inspires you to sew?

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Jeans

Here's some jean inspiration:

This is the Thompson Curvy Slim-Leg Jean by Lafayette 148 New York. Price tag:  $298.00.  Fabric is a cotton/nylon/spandex mix.  Jeans in this color would be a wonderful addition to my wardrobe but the price is all wrong.

Here's my best guess at a pattern that might work:

Yes, the pattern would need to be pieced together to make the front and back pieces one piece each but I think this is a close pattern.

What are you thoughts?  Do you know a better pattern?  Have you made your own jeans?  How did it turn out?

Hope you are inspired.

Happy Stitching!

Mystery Sewalong...No Block This Week

There wasn't a Mystery Block last week but I staying up with the challenge.  I made two additional blocks:

I now have a total of 6 challenge blocks.  I have no idea what I will do with these blocks. Maybe they will will get additional decoration.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Relaxed Blouse

Fall/Winter is coming.  I'm not sure how to dress in the climate I'm in now for winter.  Last winter, there wasn't much need to warm winter clothes.  I had no need of 2 or 3 layers but I think I still would like to update the wardrobe a bit.  I found this blouse:

It's the Roxy Double Georgette Blouse with Knit Cuffs by Lafayette 148 New York.  Price tag: $498.00.  It made from a silk double Georgette fabric and dry clean only. 

Does this blouse look familiar?  It looks very much like the Butterick pattern that I purchased in July:

I think it's the neckline that really matters here but the three changes that I see would be to change the woven cuff to a knit cuff, delete the sleeve slit, and lengthen the top portion of the top to the length you want.  Of course, you could just leave the elastic and the peplum.

How about the fabric?  Do you think you need the silk double georgette to recreate the look?  This is a fabric that I have never sewn with.  The fabric can be found a Mood for around $25/yard.  I found a rayon crepe that I thought would work, also.

What are your thoughts on this top? 

Happy Sewing!

Mystery Sew Along Block 4

I feel like I'm getting into a routine with keeping up with the sew along.  Here's block 4:

There is also 2 more blocks for the challenge:

So far I have 4 out of 16 houses made.  I'm going to attempt to use the same blue fabric for all the blocks.  I don't know if I have enough fabric but we will see.

How are you doing on the sew along or the challenge?

Happy Stitching!