I'm in the Mood for Basics!

Sewing basic pieces is just not the WOW! sewing that we sewists love to admire. But if we're honest, basics are the backbone of a good wardrobe and they give you the opportunity to get dressed every morning without having to stand in front of the closet going, "I have nuthin' to wear!"  That's what a closet full of WOW! does.  It gives you a closet full of awesome pieces that don't play well with together.

So we've reached the boring part of the wardrobe plan because I'm sewing the Simplicity 5914 skirt and a lined version of my TNT pants.  Boring, boring, boring but so necessary because without them what would coordinate with my snazzy new cardigan...or the military jacket...or the other toppers that I've planned.  

I'm starting this set of basics with the muddy chocolate brown wool crepe that I bought with my Mood allowance last month.  Well actually I bought 10 yards - so some on the Mood allowance and some on my own because I think all of the pieces should be made from the same cut.  That way you have no matching or coordination issues.

Once again I'm using tried and true patterns.  So can I stand on my sewing soapbox one more time and encourage you to develop a set of TNT patterns.  You know a basic skirt, pants, top, jacket and dress pattern to start and then add to your repertoire as needed.

This will be my fifth version of Simplicity 5914 and all but one of these currently resides in my closet...still being worn.  Another sign of a good TNT pattern...not only can it be made over and over again but it stands the test of time.  I've been using this pattern since 2006.  Okay enough stalling...here are items two and three in The City in Winter Collection...

Burda Cardigan 8869 & Simplicity 5914 Skirt

RTW turtleneck & Simplicity 5914 skirt

Stats:
Fabric ~
Wool crepe from Mood Fabrics - purchased in the NYC store but you can find some on the website, here.

Notions ~ 
9" brown invisible zipper
black lining from the collection
1" black lace
brown rayon seam tape

Construction ~
I haven't made this skirt since 2009 and of course the last time I did I'm sure I made it differently.  One of the things I did last time was that I taped the waistline using twill tape.  This time I used a 5/8" piece of lightweight fusible interfacing at the waistline to stabilize it.  I really wanted a way to firm up the waistline without changing the hand of the fabric.  I don't know if I've read about this somewhere or just came about it organically from working with the pattern. Honestly, I will only know how it works after wearing it all day so expect a wearability report sooner or later.

I also added a row of edge stitching to the right side of the skirt.  I wanted to keep all the pieces flat and secure.

Scarf, RTW turtleneck & TNT lined pants

Burda 8869 cardigan, scarf & TNT lined pants

TNT Pants ~
The pants have no new construction techniques.  Although earlier renditions of these lined pants have been made with an underlining, for this pair I used a traditional lining.  Lately I've moved away from wearing a lot of pants in the fall/winter because I'm just more comfortable in a dress or skirt.  However, there are times when I need to wear them due to climate or what's going on at work.  So I like to have them as part of a wardrobe so that the coordinating cardigans and jackets work with them.

Stats:
Fabric ~
Wool crepe from Mood Fabrics

Notions ~
brown rayon seam tape
soft & easy stretch elastic
black lining from the collection

A few more pics...

Hanger shot of TNT pants & Simplicity 5914 skirt

Instragramming

Pants & RTW turtleneck

Cardigan & Pants - front view

Back view of cardigan and pants

This is piece two and three in the wardrobe.  I'm currently working on the fourth piece and of course there will be additional posts about it.  I'm feeling good about the process I'm making on the wardrobe since I have a couple key pieces made now that the weather is starting to cool down.  Can't believe that I'm ahead of the game here! *LOL*

...as always more later!