Every summer and winter I get excited about wearing my favorite clothes from last season, and I also start thinking about what I want to change in my closet–what additions and subtractions will help me enjoy all my favorites. This year my sewing plans are about as dull as can be. And, believe it or not, I’m exited about that because my plan is a bunch of basics in the same color so that I can mix them in with my other basics and get a lot of use out of them. I’ll show you what I mean.
Here’s my personal sewing plan, outside of what I’m working on for the spring Liesl + Co patterns I’m developing.
Navy, navy, navy, cream. Where is the color? But this is basically what I wear and what I love. My wardrobe, especially in fall and winter, is almost entirely black, navy, camel, cream, gray, and white. This year I’m adding a little burgundy into my wardrobe, too. But I thought I would show you the fabrics I chose, in case it helps you with your own sewing plans to see what I chose and what I’m sewing with it. So here we are, in the order of my fabrics on the inspiration board above.
Jade interrib organic cotton jersey: Montauk Trousers (as joggers) and Melville Cardigan. I do some sort of exercise almost every morning, whether it’s yoga, a long walk, or a trip to the gym, and my workout clothing needs to be expanded or I’ll be doing laundry every few days. So the joggers will be a nice addition. Plus, I’ve been meaning to make a navy cardigan forever, so I thought I’d made myself a “set,” just for the fun of it, since the joggers could also be nice lounge wear at home. This isn’t a very heavy fabric, but it’s quite dense, almost like a ponte but a little softer. I’m excited to try it! I’ll add either elastic or zippers at the ankles, I think. Still deciding on the details…
Essel wool alpaca blend: Yanaka Jacket, and I’m thinking about adding a lining to this one because it’s very fuzzy and will probably be easier to wear if it doesn’t catch on my other clothing. The mohair is fluffy and quite thick. I’ll show you how I add lining pieces when I get ready to cut the fabric. I love texture when it comes to fall and winter dressing. Solid colors, but lots of texture.
Iggy wool: Antwerp Pullover. I was inspired by this Prada pullover. My plan is to add grommets to the fabric after cutting the pieces, but in a more random arrangement than the Prada polo. Anyone have a good source for grommets? I’m trying to decide what size I want them to be. And maybe I’ll make mine brass instead of silver. Grommets are a different way to add texture, through hardware, but still solid colors.
Marloes poly jacquard: Geneva Blouse. In person this fabric looks like a hammered silk, and I think the fabric will support the structured sleeves of the Geneva Blouse better than a soft real silk. I’ll need to make sure this style is a bit fitted because the fabric is so structured, so I’ll baste it and make adjustments as I go once I see how it hangs on my body.
So those are my personal sewing plans for the fall and winter, as I have time. I’ll show you as I progress. What are you planning to sew? Or are you waiting for our new pattern release next week? I’ve already sewn all those styles several times, so I’m eager to show them to you as well!
A few blog posts ago you asked if anyone had suggestions to use the fancy linen napkins and heirloom things you had been given. There is a lady named Cindy Needham who makes the most exquisite wall hanging and quilts from old linen things that she has embellished with their sewing machine. She has recycled many heirloom items. Check her site out.
Thanks for all the ideas you share on your blogs posts.
My sewing plans are a bit slow; I am a slow sewer anyway and get quite busy so I can’t finish pieces that quickly. All the more reason to choose wisely, of course! I have material for a Prado trench in a warm amber colour and I am in the middle of a workwear jacket (Merchant and Mills Haremere jacket). I have a formal event coming up in December and am wondering about making a Recital shirt to go under my existing formal jacket; I haven’t made the Recital before but it feels like the closest pattern to what I have in mind, and I have made the Classic several times now and the Santa Rosa a few times, so there are a lot of elements I should be ok with though the princess seams will be a bit newer for me.
None of it is very coordinated across the season, it’s all a bit ad hoc. I do need to fill in some wardrobe gaps in due course though – that’s the reason I’m making the workwear jacket now, but I might make myself another Yanaka, I really like my first one a lot but it is in a slightly less ‘basic’ colour and it would be great to have a navy or black one. I am still working out this whole notion of ‘styling’ things with each other though, even at the age of 54! it is never something I have been good at or felt comfortable with.
Re your post about choosing fabric, my criteria is simple I live in the tropics so only linen, cotton, rayon or any other natural breathable fabric is suitable. Our winters are not very cold long sleeve t shirt and jeans are all that is required. Tracky pants at night maybe.
Absolutely, but picking the right fabric for each style is still important. A very drapey rayon may not give you the look you want when a more structured fabric would be better. That’s why I posted this, so you can see the fabrics I chose and compare the weight, fiber content, etc.
Hi Liesl, just to let you know that I love these kinds of posts! Basics are where it’s at xx
Thanks for telling me! It helps to know what you like.