I have lost weight!!!
I would like to start to sew a new wardrobe of summer clothes and would like some help in deciding what items to make and maybe some pattern suggestions – e.g. mix’n’ match.
I am retired from work so I need neat casual clothes. I’m not sure where to start.
Thank you all in anticiaption.
Threads Insider
Get instant access to hundreds of videos, tutorials, projects, and more.
Start Your Free TrialAlready an Insider? Log in
Sponsored Content
Replies
Sewing with a plan, or SWAP is a disciplined but great way to get a wardrobe. I did the PR contest and now have a great summer wardrobe.
I sewed 10 pieces, 1 jacket that goes with all of the bottoms and tops, one dressy dress, which I needed for a wedding, and 3 bottoms, pants for me, and 4 tops. Take a look at all the entries because they are inspiring. Erica, who won, had a real collection that a designer could be proud of.
Where do we find the entries for the PR contest. What is PR?
i got curious and googled:http://www.ericabunker.com/2007/07/pr-wardrobe-contest-2007.htmlvert nice pieces!
Nancy, do you use the same "SewNancy" id on Pattern Review, so we could find the photos of your collection on that site?
I use Nancy K over there. On the left side is a listing for contest reports and if you go to the Wardrobe 2007 and go to photo gallery you can see all the entries, including mine.
Here is a link to the photo gallery. Hopefully this will work.
http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/ContestGallery.pl?ContestID=48
Mine is down aways under Nancy K
Edited 9/3/2007 12:08 pm ET by SewNancy Edited 9/3/2007 3:11 pm ET by SewNancyEdited 9/3/2007 3:12 pm ET by SewNancy
Edited 9/3/2007 3:13 pm ET by SewNancy
Your wardrobe is wonderful. The colors you chose are so versatile, and I can imagine adding to the group for autumn! I realized I had seen your entry before, and some others on the PR website, but haven't taken the time to go through each of the entries; I will do that soon, though.By the way, when I clicked on the link you provided, I got to Photobucket, but then got a "Page Not Found" message. So, in case somebody else wants to find the photos, I just went to patternreview.com, clicked on "Contests" in the left-hand column, then "Wardrobe Contest 2007" to find the contest entries.Thanks so much for posting your PR id so I could find your work.
Hm. I checked the link after I posted it and it worked. Ah, well.
Thanks for the compliment. I am working on my fall wardrobe. Shopping in my closet made me realize that 2 fabulous jackets I made over the last 2 years had only one or two pieces that they went with really well.
I have bottoms and tops planned to co-ordinate with them. I am trying to reign in my fabric buying, but my favorite site Emmaonesock has been posting the most fabulous fabrics, many of which will go with my 2 jackets.
That's a very nice collection, Nancy - good for you!
Gloria
Thank you for that plan. It sounds good. Do you have a suggestion for the fabric for the jacket? I will take a look at the contest. I guess you just Google PR contest???
Happy sewing!
Depends on where you live. Here in NY I would make a wool or wool blend jacket. But my summer jacket was a cotton with tone on tone metallic dots. I am making my dd a light weight wool and cashmere done on tone in gray with enough yardage for a skirt and pants. We picked a mustard color double knit wool for a jumper/sheath and teal knit for a top, a silk print in shades of pink for another blouse. Even adding a few pieces of rtw will be bought with these base pieces in mind. She has a nice white blouse and even t shirts for more casual wearing. Also the jacket can be worn with jeans for a weekend or casual look.
I live in Victoria, Australia in the south of the state. Spring has just begun and I hope to make summer clothes. We will probably have another long dry hot summer. the drought has supposedly broken but I'm not so sure.
Thanks for your email and all those ideas. I can't wait to get fabric shopping.!!
Hi Mary, Where abouts in Victoria do you come from? I'm from the Mornington Peninsula.
Marg.
Hi Marg,
I'm in Buninyong which is now part of Ballarat. Do you know it?
Mary
Hi Mary,
I do know Buninyong. My daughter did 2 years at Ballarat Uni. and we had pub meals in Buninyong. I've also got friends in Wendouree so I have spent a fair bit of time in Ballarat.Marg.
How about meeting up for coffee if you get up this way one day again? My email address is [email protected]
Cheers, Mary
Email coming.
Congratulations on your weight loss! A great way to celebrate is with some new clothes to show off the new you!
You could start out with a couple of pants or skirts and tops in colors/patterns that you can mix-and-match. Here are a couple of my favorite patterns:
- Butterick 6945 - This mock-wrap skirt is cool and comfortable in summer. It sews together fairly quickly, and the back elastic waist fits nicely.
- McCalls 9233 - This pattern has 3 styles--jeans, pleated trousers, and slim flat-front pants. I've made all 3. Lots of sewing and fitting tips & tricks from Palmer & Pletsch.
- Pamela's Perfect T - A t-shirt pattern that's easy to sew up, and is flattering. (See mine here: http://forums.taunton.com/tp-gatherings/messages?msg=7130.62)
Enjoy planning and sewing your new wardrobe. Let us know how it goes.
Hi Vickie,
Thank you so much for your ideas. Now to do what I love best - fabric shopping.
I love your T shirt. It is beautifully made.
Can you tell me how to get the pattern for it?
Thanks, Mary
Hi Mary,
I ordered "The Perfect T-Shirt" pattern from Nancy's Notions (http://www.NancysNotions.com), along with the companion pattern "New Necklines and Sleeves for the Perfect T-Shirt". You can also get them directly from http://www.PamelasPatterns.com.
The "Perfect T-Shirt" pattern includes jewel, scoop, and v-neck versions, as well as short, 3/4, and long sleeves. The second pattern has several neckline and sleeve variations for the t-shirt pattern, as well as instructions on lengthening it to make a tunic or dress.
Have fun shopping for fabric and planning your new wardrobe!
Thanks again Vickie. I will look at the website and see what patterns they have. More fun!!
I ordered that pattern with the companion pattern earlier this summer.....haven't had a chance to work with it yet. Glad to hear that it is working for you. Makes me eager to try it!! If I could only find some extra time somewhere!! DD has been keeping me busy along with all the other busy-ness of the season.........no time to sew for myself! Winter will be here soon enough and when the snowflakes fly, maybe I can hide in my 'studio' (aka basement) and sew!!
Love the t-shirt.........beautiful color, too! Looks like a style I will like......and wear often. I love t's.......for my casual lifestyle, they're perfect!
Happy Stitching!
K
The t-shirt pattern is easy to put together. Once I had it cut out, it stitched up in no time. I love t-shirts too, and will probably use this pattern often. I'm thinking of the ballet neckline for the next one.
I know what you mean about not having enough time to sew for yourself. If only "work" didn't get in my way! But that paycheck does buy the groceries--and fabric!
Did anyone see Tim Gunn's new show on Bravo? He has a list of 10 core pieces that should be in a wardrobe. That, coupled with the SWAP ideas, could produce a great wardrobe.
Yes, yes I saw Tim Gunn's show last night and thoroughly enjoyed it! I, too, was impressed with his list of 10 basic items and will give it some thought in my future wardrobe planning. I was most impressed with his obsession with silhouette and fit and I totally agree! What good is it to have a gorgeous, expensive item if it doesn't fit and is the wrong shape for your figure? There was a third item he stressed but it escapes me now...
Karen
The third item was proportion. I had to watch it the second hour to get everything written down. I also thought it was really more helpful than What Not To Wear in that they did seem to try to teach and not just trash the lady's whole closet.
I agree with you about What Not To Wear. In last night's show, the girl was a fabric artist & they mocked her terribly (they didn't know what a fabric artist was, to my shock & dismay - they thought it was about clothes)! Yah, they can be pretty brutal, with no respect for their "victim" - guess that's show biz - it adds drama & controversy, but they don't respect feelings. I also often feel that the clothes chosen aren't that flattering (most are, though) & sometimes they could be a size larger. That's just my opinion, though. Nevertheless, I still watch the show every week - a glutton for punishment??
Gloria
Loved Tim Gunn's show. The 10 basics is a great place to start. I have made a list of what I need to add to my wardrobe to achieve that core wardrobe. I need a trenchcoat and special occasion dress, new jeans and a sweat suit alternative. I don't wear sweat suits, but I would love a comfy casual outfit that fills the bill.
Hi I was reading one of the fall issues of the fashion mags. (vogue, Harpers Bazaar) and they had this beautiful black patent leather trench it was short wee past the hip looked great dressy or casual now if I could find some black patent leather I have a Vogue trenchcoat patttern I could sew one. because the price of that coat would shock the senses :-)). Cyndy
Try this site. They have patent leather listed. You'll have to e mail them for prices, but I hate to tell you that making it yourself won't be cheap either, but certainly less than retail!
http://www.leathersuedeskins.com/index02.html
Hi there, thanks much I bookmarked this site for future reference. I would think that you would sew with a leather needle and special plate and foot, I know Bernina (my machine) has a jeans foot. Once again thank you so much. Cyn
It depends on how thick the leather is if you need to use a leather needle. You can use a teflon foot or they sell stick on sheets of teflon or, you can use magic tape on the foot. It works like a charm. I got the site from either Deepika at Pattern Review when they had the PR weekend or from Ann Steeves from Gorgeous Fabrics, but in any case one or both of them had bought from them.
thanks, I took the advice that the patent leather might be to thick, and unwieldy, but I saw a pair of patent leather gloves and vogue patterns has a set of gloves. These gloves that I saw in a magazine the cost would pay for textbooks for one semester!!! Amazing!!! So I figured maybe I'll make my own. Cyndy
Patent leather is stiff and doesn't breathe at all; wearing that trenchcoat will have you swimming inside it, even on cold days. There are some nifty new Goretex and microfiber fabrics that look a lot like patent leather but are much easier to sew and to wear--some even have a bit of spandex, so they're even more wearable.
Thanks for the tip, the reason I wanted to sew it is the short trench cost 2,600.00 yup you read it right. but I forgot that patent leather can be heavy. So I need what the designer was using which is ight and flexible enough thank you. Cyn
Did you write down all the "core" items? If so, please send.
Tks,
Karen
This is what I wrote down when they briefly showed the list a couple times and then went through it while she made her purchases.
Little black dress, trench coat, classic dress pants, classic white shirt (she chose a wrap style), day dress, skirt, sweater, sweatsuit alternative, jeans, and a blazer.
They had her try the clothes on with ballet flats, midrise pumps, and stiletto heels.
Thank you!
i've read a book where they give these 3 questions to ask for choosing to purchase clothes
1 Love the item
2 does it look good is it flattering
3 is the image that i want to project
i am expecting these and other things i've read to effect me thru osmosis
stitchagain
This post is archived.