Pattern Haul

I think I've developed a problem.  I can't pass up a.99 cent pattern sale.

You know, when I first started sewing I used to pay full price for these things.  Maybe I just feel like I've been had and I'm trying to get a little of my own back?

I have been had!

First up, the infinite wrap dress.  This is supposed to be an easy pattern but I already have doubts about my ability to do all this wrapping and whatnot.  Yet, I am intrigued.  It's like this twobirds dress right? Except not as fancy and attitudinal.

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Now let's talk about cloches.  I have no idea if these are going to be a Thing or not this winter.  I also suspect that it won't fit over my rather tremendous hair.

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HOWEVER . . .  this particular episode of Ugly Betty. . .

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. . . totally made me want one.

Fall Wardrobe Planning-Pattern Board

I decided to plow through my pattern stash.  All of these have been cut but I haven't done much more than that.

Most photos from patternreview.com

I was thinking sewing up a bunch of knits for comfort-the too tight capris I wore today has made that a much more attractive option.  However, a lot of my patterns call for wovens.  Hmm.  We'll see how this goes.

Other first impressions include lots of dresses.  I do see some things with promise though.

I have a weakness for a nice jumper.  Something about it says kindergarten teacher to me-don't know why.  I also like the peasent style blousiness I see up there.  One includes tucks, a cool pleating detail I love, while another is a more streamlined version.  The pants that are included have wider legs which I appreciate.  That Cynthia Rowley dress could make a cool combination with the leggings.  I think there are possibilities here-along with some patternless projects that could look really good.

I think the bones are here to construct whatever clothing piece I've been lusting after.  It's a good spot to start from.

Planning a Wardrobe

I am obsessed with sewing blogs.  I have a handful that I visit daily, and that handful has links to even more, and so on and so forth. 

While cruising my regular rounds, I came across this post on Diary of a Sewing Fanatic.  I love her blog and I highly recommend it.  This particular post was about planning a wardrobe of separates for the fall.  Specific details in choosing and sewing six pieces that work together are here.

I am intrigued.  I am also in need of a wardrobe since I will be doing my observation block for my teaching program this fall.  I also have plenty of patterns to work with.

Here are the guidelines as laid out by Stitcher's Guild member ejvc:

"The point of these sew-alongs is to create the bones of a mix-and-match handmade wardrobe.  The pace is relatively slow (two items a month) to allow you also to add the fun items that aren't the bones.  The ideal pieces for this collection are BORING pieces that you wear EVERY DAY.  These pieces in your wardrobe need to be beautifully fit, beautifully finished, and made with wonderful fabric.  In order to work as separates they should be in a very limited colour palette -- I suggest for autumn this is one or two dark neutrals, one light neutral, and one colour.  Good neutrals to pick are neutrals echoed in your hair colour; good colours are in your skin and eyes; but probably you have your own favourite colours.

The pieces are maximised for layering:

ONE jacket -- neutral
ONE bottom (skirt or trousers, though for autumn, I like trousers) -- dark neutral if you're pear-shaped, lighter if you carry weight on top
TWO underlayer tops, one ideally in a print combining your colours, one in a contrast neutral
TWO overlayer tops, one coloured, one neutral
and possibly
ONE more bottom -- skirt if you've done trousers, trousers if you've done a skirt, or a dress if you like them"

I've never consciously shopped for a wardrobe before so I think this will be an instructive exercise all around.

As far as a color palette for my basics, I was thinking black-of course, dark grey, pale grey/silver, and shades of blue and purple.

What do you think? 

Dressing While Plus: The Empire Strikes Back

The main reason I've picked up sewing again is that I really, really want to wear cool clothes.  The realities of fashion make this difficult and/or expensive.

Plus sized clothes are available, however, my rather large breasticle issues create their own problems.

Take this dress, for example.

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It's an Old Navy maxi dress.  Cute, breezy, summery. . . I really, really like it.

I would never order this dress.

1. Old Navy no longer carries plus sizes in their stores.  (haters-I've been boycotting them ever since)  2. I don't believe in this whole, order it in your size and pay for it, just to try it on business.  What if I try it and don't like it?  Do I get my money back or will I be forced to shop for something else that I may not like?  I find that ridiculous.  (They tried to pull this one at David's Bridal too by the way)  3. The style of this dress, which makes it cute, is the same thing that would make it unlikely to fit.

Empire waists on the busty tend to ride up.  That line that is supposed to lie underneath the bust would insist on sitting on top of the bust.  That in turn would pull the skirt up and out which has the effect of making the unfortunate wearer look pregnant.

Friends, I spend a significant portion of my life worrying about whether or not my outfit makes me look pregnant.

The question: what's a girl to do?  The answer: make it her damn self!