Spring Wardrobe Recap

Here's a little recap of the seven pieces I made for my Spring Wardrobe. From beginning to end, it was really so much fun to make this wardrobe. The whole process has reignited my love for sewing and I'm already working on more things. 

Spring Wardrobe - No. 6 Long Pleated Skirt

Here is the final piece of my Spring Wardrobe. You might remember this striped skirt from my inspiration moodboard. I loved the length and color of that striped skirt. It's kind of cool when you can identify the direct inspiration for something, isn't it? The length seems just perfect for Spring, not too short so you'll stay warm but still floaty and fun. It can be worn with boots or strappy sandals, depending on the weather – perfect for fickle Spring temperatures.

Spring Wardrobe – No. 2 (Part B) Blue Tank

As I mentioned yesterday, I was intending to use this blue silk like fabric to make a Slouch Top from the book DIY Couture by Rosie Martin but I was about 1/3 yard too short. I still wanted that pop of blue as part of my Spring Wardrobe so I used the fabric to make a basic tank using Simplicity 2593. After this, I just have one more piece to share. Can you believe it? The official start date of Spring has passed but March is not done yet and I'm confident that I'll be all done by the time April rolls around. I'm already incorporating my new pieces into my everyday wardrobe and it's been so much fun!

Spring Wardrobe No. 2 - Slouch Top

I'm nearing the end of my Spring Wardrobe series. Just a few more pieces to show. This is number 2 on the list, the Slouch Top from the book DIY Couture by Rosie Martin. I had intended to use a Robin's Egg Blue silk type fabric but after drafting the pattern, I discovered that I didn't have enough fabric. I'm planning to do a full book review on DIY Couture after I make at least one more project from it. But I will say now, that it does not provide any estimated yardage for the projects. For my slouch top I needed about 1 1/3 yards of fabric. Not to worry, I have put the blue fabric to use and made a tank top, to be shared soon.

Spring Wardrobe – No. 4 Pencil Skirt

Here's number 4 in my handmade Spring Wardrobe, a simple navy pencil skirt, one of those wardrobe staples that everyone needs and, if you're drawn to colorful things like I am, is so often overlooked. This is a piece that can be worn with practically anything but I think it will primarily be worn to work. So, a little boring but a solid workhorse nonetheless.

Spring Wardrobe – No. 5 Pleated Pants Vogue V8657

Can I just say right off the bat that I totally love these pants? Number 5 on my list of Spring Wardrobe items these pants are made using Vogue pattern V8657 in a thick grey knit fabric. The pattern is now out of print but still totally of the moment. By the way, did you see yesterday's Pleated Pants moodboard? These pants are so comfy and easy to wear. 

Spring Wardrobe - No. 3 Drape Drape Top

Here's another piece of my Spring Wardrobe finished and ready for wearing. This top is made using a pattern no. 4 from the book Drape Drape 2 by Hisako Sato. It's available in English on Amazon but I'm working from one in Japanese. I just couldn't wait for the English version and had to buy it as soon as I saw it in the Japanese bookstore in Little Tokyo.

Spring Wardrobe - No. 1 Tank

It's finally here! My first finished piece from my Spring Wardrobe. I started planning my Spring Wardrobe back in January and it took a little while but after much planning and thinking, it's full steam ahead on actually making them. First up is this simple tank top made from salmon colored silk (or silk-like) fabric. I did make a few changes from my plans. (It happens and it's ok. Plans often change in the process of making and it's usually for the better.)

After a little digging in my blog archives, I realized that the pattern I wanted to use as a base is actually a variation on Simplicity 2599. I altered that pattern to make my Bias Stripe Top With Braids and it's a great tank silhouette. The main difference between my tank and the Simplicity pattern is that I cut down the width of the shoulders be removing fabric from the outer edge. I also created a curved, baseball tee hem that's a little longer in the back than the front.

Spring Wardrobe Sewing Plans

After a lot of planning, thinking and scheming, I finally decided upon these six pieces to make for my new spring wardrobe. I stuck a rather neutral palette of greys and blues that will easily fit into my existing wardrobe. The selections are on trend, inspired by my Spring Wardrobe inspiration board and fill in the gaps of my current wardrobe. Oh, and I'm only using stash fabrics!!!

Spring Wardrobe Planning Part 2

How to plan a Spring Wardrobe Part 2 is all about decision making. In Part 1 you came up with some great ideas and now it's time to put it into action. Truth be told, this part was not easy for me. There's so much I want to make but I want this collection of things to all go together, so I had to pare down my ideas quite a bit. Take that stack of fabric up there for instance. I'm only going to use four or five of those fabrics. The others are ones I love but will just save for later. Let's get started.

Spring Wardrobe Planning Part 1

Last week I shared some inspiration for my new spring wardrobe. I have some ideas of the style I want and some of the items. Now it's time to get to work and start planning. It's one thing to make a single garment but it's an entirely different endeavor to plan a group of garments that you'll want to mix and match with each other and with the rest of your wardrobe. Over the next couple of weeks I'm going to show you the steps involved in planning a new wardrobe and give you some insight into the design decisions that go into the creation process. Let's get started!

Spring Wardrobe Inspiration

I'm starting off the new year right and doing some sewing planning for spring. The first step in any good creative planning is inspiration, right? So of course I went to my Pretty Clothes pinterest board, did some web searching and put together this little inspiration board. I'm planning to make some blouses, skirts and maybe a pair of pants and a dress. But more on that next week!

Clockwise from top left:
1. Chauncey Autumn/Winter 2011/2012
2. Jacquard Blouse Closed.com
3. Printed Linen Top from Etsy seller KOKOMOmade
4. Pleated Top Chloe 2006
5. 3.1 Phillip Lim on Shopbop
6. Veronica Blouse from Shopbop
7. Of A Kind Silk Pocket Top
8. Wren Spring 2013 via Refinery 29
9. Striped Skirt Outfit from This Time Tomorrow

Do you have any sewing plans for the new year?

--

Follow along with me here:

Bloglovin // Twitter // Facebook // Pinterest