The Lull before the Sewing Storm.
Winter (I live in Australia) officially starts tomorrow, so it is a bit late to start a winter wardrobe plan. And in any case, at the moment there is little sign we are actually going to get much of a winter where I live. So it is too late to start a plan for winter now.
Instead, I am thinking about a Spring plan - with perhaps the first outfit being able to be worn on warmer days in winter.
I am thinking about a pants suit. . I am thinking about using this pattern, Burda 6985.
This is the line drawing:
I think I am starting to understand how pants work on me now, so I am much more confident about making the pants. The slim cut should also suit me.
Do you think this little pantsuit would suit me? And what jacket length do you think would be best - the short as well? I am petite, so usually petites need shorter jackets.
I plan to use some fabric from my stash. I really do need to use the stash so I can buy more in colours that are better suited to my colouring :)
This is what I am thinking about using:
It is a poly viscose mix, black and off white, with slight flecks. I thought it was a little less heavy than black for a spring pantsuit - still formal, but less so. Although black is not in my colour palette, this flecked tweedy look is slightly less black, and would look lovely with an off white top or blouse - which would suit me, as winter white is my white. Plus I could mix and match this fabric if made into a suit, with my endless array of black everything. Including shoes. I am not going to be able to change everything overnight - and it would be far too expensive and exhausting to do so! I am not a lover of shopping, except fabric and pattern shopping, which is not really shopping at all, in my book - what about you?
Of course, I will have to make a tedious muslin for this suit, and I am also going to have lots to do with the end of financial year creeping up, and an intensive trip away for a couple of weeks in July. So I need simple things for now, just to keep the mojo around :)
I have started a little skirt, my usual elastic waist skirt - using up a piece of fabric from the stash.
I also am toying with the idea of making up a piece of faux snakeskin. I did have plans to make up a piece of black faux snakeskin:
When I held it up, I convinced myself it didn't look too bad. When I cut it out, it looked awful - sort of cheap rock chick, and that is not the look I want. I have put the pieces aside to make a bag out of one day :).
So, I might make this piece up instead - it's a much better quality than the black faux (which was cheap). This one was twice the price:
And although it is brown, it is a cool brown, so I could get away with it. I've never worn anything like this, and I think it would be fun to have something made out of this. But I may change my mind, and make it into a bag as well!
And I have a cardigan to mend. A darn nuisance moth hole. Not sure how I will tackle this so it looks good, but I'm thinking of a little lace overlay.
So those are the plans, and with plans the lull will soon be over...
Sarah Liz
Love your Spring plans ~ that is just such a sensible idea to plan ahead! Might join you. Your snake skin would look great as an accent on a skirt ~ I have seen it as a lovely piece down the side, and as a trim on pockets ... I am curious as to where you purchased these 2 pieces of faux skin, as they look great ... J
ReplyDeleteYes, Judith, planning is the only way I will ever do anything - without a plan, nothing happesn with me. You are right about the snakeskin, and I probably will use it as an accent - there is enough for that plus the bag. I got the faux from Spotlight, the black is cheap and quite plastic looking, the brown a much better quality and more expensive.
DeleteI reckon the skin fabric would make a superb set of arms on the jacket. And it sounds like a lot sewing going on for you soon. Do you have enough chocolate & adult rated drinks?
ReplyDeleteAlso, I like to make plans too. My sewing ones mostly don't happen as hoped for. Which reflects the plans I make in the rest of my life....
ReplyDeleteWishing you all the best for the jacket & pants. Hoping it is challenging & enjoyable!
Hi, yes, the idea of trims and blocks is a good idea. Chocolate is always hidden in the sewing room, it's my secret stash :). And I am looking forward to the challenge of this suit.
DeleteNice plans, love the look of that fabric.
ReplyDeleteThank you BeaJay :)
DeleteThe fashion industry sews and markets ahead too so you are so on the right tract Sarah!
ReplyDeleteThank you Faye, tends to be why I stash as well. I buy one year usually to make the next (or the next decade!!).
DeleteI think the suit with the shorter length jacket would look great on you.
ReplyDeleteI agree with accordion3 as well that the snake skin fabric would look good as jacket sleeves.
Thanks Sam, I agree with you and accordion3 about the length.
DeleteI like the look of the suit probably with short jacket as you are petite. But are you sure you want to put all that effort into something that is not your colour? Unless you're thinking of a wearable toile? Would you wear it? Would you love it?
ReplyDeleteYes, shorter it will be :). Yes, I am prepared to go to the effort - and practice making the suit with this, and then next year, make it up in a fabric for winter in my colours - I have ordered a piece of nice grey. Always a plan :)
DeleteGreat pants suit.. I think the shorter version of the jacket . Great fabric choice too..
ReplyDeleteLove your idea of sewing before the season arrives.. Always nice to have a garment finished, so you have something new when the weather changes.
Have a great weekend. and Happy sewing.
Thank you Judy - short seems to be the consensus:). Yes, having things ready for the new season is always good :). Happy sewing :)
DeleteI wish fulfillment of plans .....
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
DeleteGreat coordinates! Success!
ReplyDeleteThat's what I am hoping Beata :)
DeleteLots of good plans underway Sarah Liz. I think the shorter jacket looks more appealing, but it is really a matter of proportion, and I like your fabric choice too. The snakeskin will make a very elegant skirt - which is the direction you are going these days! I make lots of seasonal plans for sewing and never finish them. Still trying to do some end of summer, one winter item and I'll move onto Spring too :)
ReplyDeleteYou are right about proportions - I'll check these when doing the muslin. I agree about the snakeskin.
DeleteBest of luck with finishing your summer sewing and starting your winter sewing :)
Beautiful fabric choices!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jackie :)
DeleteThe greyish snakeskin is marvelous -- subtle yet edgy!
ReplyDeleteThank you Annie:)
DeleteA great idea to make a plan. I do that to a degree but will sometimes go off on a tangent. think that pantsuit would suit you very well. I do so encourage you to make a jacket. They are my favorite things to make and really not that difficult if you take them one step at a time. That is what I tell my sewing students ..to regard them as a series of steps that in the end become a very satisfying garment. Good luck Sarah.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think many of use have plans like that :). I am looking forward to making a jacket - and I will certainly take it one step at a time, thanks Diana.
DeleteI applaud you for planning ahead. I think these could be worked into your winter as well. I prefer the shorter jacket on you, especially with slimmer pants. As for the fabric, I love each of them. I think I would have trouble deciding for myself because I like them all.
ReplyDeleteYes, Annette, they could be worn through our winter as well - which is why the appeal. I agree, it is hard to decide sometimes between fabrics - so stash them all, I say :)
DeleteI'm with Anne. This suit can be the backbone of your elegant euro chic business wardrobe so why not start with a stunning fabric in the perfect colour? This will be a lot of work and I think this justifies a trip to the fabric store! If you're serious about building a new wardrobe 'this will do for now' is keeping you from reaching your goals. I love the pattern for the suit, maybe make a three piece by adding a pencil skirt? O, and I do own some of that snakeskin fabric. Cheap rock chick? Oops! Maybe I have to reconsider :))
ReplyDeleteI agree with the idea of it being a backbone, but first I think I will practice on this one first - it's always a good idea to work out all the problems first. Our local store has not much in my colours - that is always the problem, but I have ordered some grey wool for next winter. This pattern will be tested by then. In the meantime I can put off white with this.
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