Wednesday, April 06, 2016

Falling Back on the Familiar

I made a spring sewing list and it has about 13 separate garments on it.  Some of the items have fabric and patterns associated with them and some are just items that say something like "dresses." However, my list isn't looking very attractive to me now, because I'm just not good at sewing out of season.  See it's gotten cold here again (Why?!) and I need to find a way to jump start my sewing.

The Idea and the Inspiration ~
Then I saw the wardrobe that Terri, who authors the blog, Virginia's Sew Blessed Daughter made for the PatternReview wardrobe contest and my creative bell started chiming. Yes I used chiming, because it was a gentle sound rolling through me and not a loud ringing bell.  Gotta get my symbolism correct because you never know when the "Grammer/English Patrol" is rolling out trying to skewer you.


Back to Terri, her amazing collection made me realize that maybe I should sew a casual collection for early spring. I've loved sewing collections in the past but always made them from a purely business perspective. Making a casual collection ala Chicos Chic would be a new challenge...but then again it seems as if everything about my sewing is challenging now.

The Beginnings of an Idea ~
At first I thought I would do a traditional 10 piece collection ~ y'know a topper, skirts, dresses and tops that all work together. After thinking on it a bit, I've decided that I want to make 7-10 outfits that work with each other. Each outfit will stand alone and may or may not work with one of the other outfits. 

What will connect them then? My Chicos Chic theme. The outfits have to be stylish yet work in my casual work environment. They will need to colorful, on trend and comfortable to wear...to make me feel like "me". I want them to be fun, fancy and fashionable. I want to make some sewing magic.

My first outfit will be a reversible vest using my topper pattern pieces and those inset pockets that I'm truly in love with! Though it amazes me how much I love pockets in casual clothes but had no use for them in my business attire. I will add a white blouse using Butterick 5678 and RTW leggings cause honestly I'm not ready for that challenge!


The second outfit will start with a piece that I've already made and that's languished in my wardrobe waiting for warmer weather.  This denim jacket made during my Christmas break.


I see it for spring with a swingy midi length skirt made from this fabric...


...and a RTW tank top as my second outfit. I've got these amazing shoe booties that I want to wear with it. I'm really looking forward to sewing this skirt, completing this outfit and wearing it out and about.

I have a few more ideas in mind, using some of the items on the spring sewing list, and some from ideas floating around in my head. I will share each outfit as I get it sewn but I think I've re-energized my sewing.

A few questions for you ~ 
Now a question? Do you sew for your present weather conditions?  Or do you sew for the season ahead? What do you do as a season is ending? Are you affected by the weather or do you sew your visions/desires?  This is my question of the day so feel free to leave a comment. 

...as always more later!




32 comments:

  1. Sewing for this season or the next? I'm happy whenever I have time to sew!

    I definitely have more mojo for the present season. I discovered that I like to sew tops, dresses and skirts in the summer. I like to knit sweaters in the winter. I have plenty of knit tops to layer under the sweaters and RTW pants for the winter.

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  2. Thank you for sharing Terri's wardrobe, because hot damn it suits her so well it's inspirational!
    I'm looking forward to seeing yours evolve too because I'm sure it will do the same.
    My sewing is non existent these days...I'm not sure if it's because of the weather or if I'm going through a period of style rumination. A desire will return in good time I'm sure. Meanwhile I'll continue to sew vicariously. So thank you for that too :)

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  3. Great you sound so motivated. I like mini wardrobes, I love planning,maybe thats why I enjoy sewing seperates, good luck

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  4. I tend to sew what I need now, but with an eye to the future, if that is possible. I made smart linen trousers to take on holiday, but I can wear them at work now that Spring is here. I also made a 2 piece dress out of jersey for my holiday, but that's another thing that I can mix and match with my work wardrobe.
    I'm going to attempt a SWAP this year, I've got it planned, not to progress through it so I'm looking forward to seeing how you go on with yours. I'm a teacher so I need a 'smart/casual' style as well.
    Your timing is immaculate, lol.

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  5. I am going to enjoy seeing your new wardrobe come together.

    I tend to sew for the season I am in and now it is supposed to be getting cooler and we had an 86f day today so sewing wool is not on my priority list.

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  6. Love the fabric you've chosen for your skirt. With my sewing I usually find I'm scrambling to catch-up, so in the middle of a heat wave I'll be anxiously searching for cool fabrics, staying up all night to finish off a hurriedly made, ie. not very good, summer dress. This year I am trying to be prepared and anticipate; not always easy with British weather, lol.

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  7. I love reading Terri's blog! Her spring wardrobe is absolutely beautiful! I also really like your denim jacket… Is that you perfectly and you look great in it! I really have such a hard time with prints...I keep trying to incorporate them in my wardrobe, but sometimes I just miss the mark and they don't appeal to me. So they sit in my closet until they're ready for the donation bag, LOL! You however always seem to select such beautiful printed fabrics! Your skirt fabric is no exception…it Is absolutely stunning and I can't wait to see your finished skirt!

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  8. ... Whoops, I forgot to answer the question! I don't always follow seasons when creating my wardrobe. I sew all over the place, sometimes (and the majority of times) out of necessity! However on occasion you will see me at a piece or two because of the season.

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  9. Sounds like a great plan!
    Not that RTW leggings are bad (well, for me they are but that's not my point. LOL)...but have you heard of Cake Patterns? They have a legging's pattern that is pseudo-drafted to your measurements. That is, you take a number of measurements (more than just hip/waist) and play connect the dots on the pattern. It's gotten me the absolute BEST fitting leggings I've ever owned (and just one pattern piece!)
    Love seeing your fabric collection and how your wardrobe changes! :-)

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  10. I definitely need to sew for spring while it's still cold and snowing. I often get distracted and lose momentum. I'm still finishing up cold weather projects-lol.

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  11. I actually prefer to sew out of season. That's when my inspiration for other seasons comes!

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  12. I tend to sew for the now. Part of that is because I just can't wait to wear whatever it is I've just sewn, but also, it's because I am always so full of sewing plans for each season that I run out of time to finish them before the season ends. Ultimately, I call it quits on one season's plans as the weather turns and then hurry along to the next. I'm trying to do more multi-season garments these days and a bit more advance planning, but we'll see how it goes...

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  13. I'd LIKE to sew a season ahead but I do find it hard to sew out of season. Sometimes you make something knowing you want to throw it on immediately but when the whether doesn't speak to that, it's hard to find the inspiration to keep going.

    I definitely think planning makes it easier to sew ahead of season.

    Also, I really like that jean jacket!

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  14. I like to wear things as soon as I finish them, so I guess I tend to sew for the current season instead of ahead. Sometimes when I sew a warm weather top, I plot about how I could make something to wear over it for the transitional seasons.

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  15. Well, you could move to Southern California where there isn't a huge difference between the seasons!

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  16. I struggle with a plan for sewing as I have a very casual lifestyle . Also not easy to sew for seasons when you live in SW -USA. But I do like the idea as I've realized I've been sewing a lot of orphans lately. I voted for Terri before I read your post . Looking forward to seeing what you create !

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  17. Terri is definitely one of my faves and I often get inspired by her!

    I don't like summer. I know, I know, I complain about living in the tundra...but I like moderate temps and hate heat and humidity. So I don't particularly enjoy sewing for summer either. So for that season, I try to get a jump start. Otherwise I want to wear my new things NOW and therefore tend to sew for the current season.

    As the weather starts to transition, I focus on things that can transition. e.g., short sleeved tops and shells that can be worn under cardigans and jackets and later on their own. Or pants in lighter colors that can transition.

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  18. Living in hot, humid Houston, TX I'm always waiting for cool weather when I can wear jackets which is my favorite garment to sew. But I do try to sew ahead of each season and thoroughly love sewing for vacations. Since DH and I retired we are able to travel quite a bit (3 months a year) so I find that I need to make packable clothing, yet stylish, so lightweight, floaty garments work well for me. It seems you found your mojo so enjoy. I really like your denim jacket! Karen

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  19. I don't get to sew as much as I'd like and I feel like you - that I have no idea how to dress myself these days! I tend to sew for the Seasons - and thankfully - most of my clothes are 3-Season wearable if not all year - just by layering them.

    I love this Chico's Chic wardrobe you have planned and can't wait to see it come to fruition. I would like to try the Cake Leggings. Need to add more skirts this year. g

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  20. Another blog to follow, Thanks for the pointer. And you are looking well too. If this a somewhat slimmer you, the veggies are doing you good.
    Theresa in Tucson

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  21. I tend to look at my stack of "ready-to-cut" items and decide what suits my fancy. They tend to be items that I can wear in the near future. Somehow sewing a short-sleeved blouse in a floaty, light voile just does not appeal to December through February me. However, give me a few 60+ degree days in March and April and I am ready to sew that top for June.

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  22. When it's a nice spring day I want to sew for spring. It's SO HARD to sew wool in summer! (And vice versa.) It would also help if I were one size and stayed that way. I'm trying to lose weight, so don't want to do fall clothes when I have a whole summer of exercise ahead of me.

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  23. I'm like the direction you're taking w/the inspiration. Can't wait to see some of the makes.

    I tend to sew for the current season. March-April and September-October are usually devoted to complicated projects like coats or really fine tuning the fit of a couple different garments.

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  24. It's the "gentle sounds" that have/make the greatest impact! "Chico's Chic...Fun, Fashionable and Fancy"...I love it. There's some excitement in your "blog voice". Looking forward to seeing your collection and thanks for the mention!

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    Replies
    1. Oh...and that floral fabric...YES!!!

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    2. You deserve the mention! Your collection is just awesome and you should be proud of it!

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    3. It is quite beautiful! I hope you win on PR Terri! Carolyn, I love everything you do because it speaks you - I get that just from reading your blog and watching your style!

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  25. Your sewjo is definitely on! I tend to sew for the current season but sometimes I just sew whatever I am in the mood for. I look forward to your creations!

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  26. I had to reiterate again at how amazing Terri's collection is, seriously love everything about it! I like to sew for the season, but without much plan; I tend to overwhelm myself with too many list,lol..

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  27. It would be nice to be one of those people who can sew a season ahead, but honestly I'm more likely to be a season behind!

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  28. My sewing projects tend to be influenced by what the weather is outside my sewing room window and what I have on. Lots of sweater lately. I find it really hard to sew for the coming season. I have always loved Terri's style, and think her wardrobe is a winner.

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  29. First - love your denim jacket!! This weather is crazy! Second - I usually sew for the season I'm in, or just before so that I have some new things ready to go. I have been the wardrobe concept rolling around in my head too, so many ideas so little time.

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