There’s blossom on the trees, the clocks have gone forward and I’ve swapped my heavy winter coat for a lighter jacket. It feels like summer is on its way, so it’s time to start thinking about spring/summer sewing plans!
Formal events
First up, I have four weddings to attend between now and August. I am not going to sew a new outfit for all of them as I can get away with recycling – they’re all different sets of friends/family so I feel no pressure to look different for every event. And really, with that many weekends down the pan, am I really going to have time to do all that much sewing? Here’s the shortlist so far:
- A fit and flare dress for twirling on the dancefloor. I’m thinking something along the lines of the Mortmain or the Simple Sew Ruby – both patterns I have in stock – in some blossom print cotton from John Lewis. I have three metres. It needs using.
- The 1950s pleated skirt and top from Sew Over It Vintage in red triple crepe. I saw this posted on the Sew Over It blog last year and fell in love with the look. They’re both self-drafted, so it’ll be a nice little learning curve. And once they’re done I’ll be able to mix and match them with other outfits.
- A top that I’ve copied from a RTW top from Oasis – more on this to come in the near future. I’ve got some spare black triple crepe plus some cream silk that will do nicely for this, and both will work well with the skirt above.
Everything else
Since I have so many to attend, the wedding outfits are probably going to be my priority. There are probably a million other things I’d like to make, but I don’t want to get carried away. A few months ago I read something on the Sewaholic blog about making plans for new season sewing, and Tasia suggested only picking three things to make. It’s a realistic goal, and whatever extra you make will be a bonus. Here’s my current top three:
- A sleeveless Sew Over It vintage shirt dress. I bought two metres of this Liberty-type cotton lawn at a recent meet up at Goldhawk Road. The man in the shop said it was Liberty, but in places the printing on the selvedges isn’t quite right and it doesn’t have that silky, buttery feel to it, so I don’t believe him. Anyway it’ll do very nicely for a summer dress that will keep me cool at work.
- Simple t-shirts/tops. I’ve got a load of leftover lawn and voile which needs using up. Small amounts means t-shirts – queue more Scouts or maybe a Belcarra or two.
- A crisp white shirt cos I know it’ll come in handy, whatever the occasion. I’d like the challenge of making a really good job of it and the Grainline Archer is sitting in my pile of patterns waiting to be used. Here’s some inspiration.
So yeah, now’s the time to put those plans into action! If I get through this little lot, I think I’ll be doing pretty well!
Stuff Jo Has Made 
Great to have plans! My aim for this year was to sew some trousers – which I have done now (thanks to Julie at SOI) and to overcome my irrational fear of the knit fabric. Again, I have just recently completed a Grainline Linden (which I love).
I know need to organise myself to figure out what patterns and fabric in my stash are suitable for each other – I have plenty to choose from!
Haha I keep promising myself I’ll sort that out too. I’ve got a vague idea of what’s in my stash and what I want to use it for, but I keep finding bits of fabric I’d forgotten about!!
Love it. Good advice from Tasia.
I’m sewing a costume for a play at the moment using a 1946 Vogue pattern, as well as rehearsing it in every spare moment. As a result my new seasons *southern hemisphere, oohhh cold* sewing planning has mainly been wistful glances at patterns and fabrics in the stash.
But going by your three items, this would be mine:
1. A maxi dress I’m making out of Prussian blue NZ merino with a 90s pattern I bought for $1 – can’t even think what company
2. Named Esme cardigan – my first named pattern, out of some vintage check wool in a loose enough weave
3. Definitely some pants because #pantsforever and I have two new patterns – Named Alpi Chinos and Papercut Patterns Guise pant.
Anything else will be gravy! And this is a sensible plan seeing as I am up to my eyeballs in Tennessee Williams until end of May. Oh and that I need a sum total of 0 items of clothes, but pfft whatever.
Oh I don’t REALLY need any clothes (apart from outfits for the 1001 weddings I’m attending) but it does keep me out of mischief! Like the look of your pants patterns – will have to have a go myself. The fitting part is what irks me though – not sure I can be bothered doing toile after toile after toile. Instant gratification FTW! Which play are you doing?
I’m playing Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire – total bucket list role and play.
Re pants fitting, Pants for Real People is the best book for this. I didn’t do multiple toiles for pants fitting, but fit while I sew. This is super successful without being tedious!