Working on the wardrobe

So after all my research I've been working on the wardrobe do-over over the past few days with great results!! I decided that denim, black & grey will be my 'bases' so I've got quite a few pairs of jeans - as a mum and a uni student jeans have pretty much been my uniform for the past seven years!! Then when we were out on Friday I managed to find a great pair of full length black pants and a lovely grey linen blend skirt. I'm still after a pair of 3/4 length black pants but couldn't find any that were a good fit. I wore the grey skirt out on Friday night and realised that I actually really do like wearing skirts so decided that my wardrobe really could do with a few more.



A while ago I had favourited this wrap skirt and after I had a dig through the fabric stash and found some skirt-friendly fabrics I got started. Given that my colours are black/grey/red I thought that this skirt was a perfect way of using up some of my fabrics (black poplin) and some of my quilting stash (contast). I finished the hem with 10mins to spare as I ducked off to stitch & bitch this morning!! It's hard to get any good photos of yourself when you live alone and the smalls really don't understand how to get a good shot! But here it is both on the hanger and on me...



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My printer wouldn't print the pattern sheets out so I looked at the screen and guessed with a piece of chalk directly onto the fabric and I'm really pleased with the results. Being a wrap skirt as well it will fit me as I gain/lose weight over time. It's a really good length for me as well.

Tonight the sewing bug hit again after I found a piece of knit fabric that suited my colour palate. No tutorial/pattern for this one, I just started sewing and altered until I had what I wanted. This skirt will go with all my black tops, a few of my white and a red top that I bought last year but that has long sleeves.

A few tops are cut out but we'll have to take a trip to spotlight for some supplies to get them finished.



I'm happy to say though that my wardrobe is looking far more 'together' than it did and I'm pleased with all my purchases and productivity! I wore the wrap skirt out to SnB this morning and felt very co-ordinated which is a change!!


And just cause she's cute.... Super-Charlotte....

Sewing with a plan

I've been sewing a bit for myself lately but have realised that I see a fabric, think 'that's cute', buy it and make it into something but nothing in my wardrobe actually co-ordinates! Argh!!
So I've been researching different 'systems' of wardrobe planning.

Firstly the 'capsule' model as described here... I like it but it doesn't really suit 'me' because I rarely go out and mostly it's just me bumming around the house with the kidlets although there is the occasional lunch out... and I definitely have no need for suits/office attire.

Then there is this plan which I get because it's in stages so you can gradually add to the wardrobe and there are different items for the different seasons. Downfall? I'm also not so keen on having an ENTIRE wardrobe of only three colours. I get bored easily and I could see this happening rather quickly!

I thought this plan has a few good ideas in it as well - there are some common themes - picking a neutral base from which everything else stems etc. I'm embarking on tip number 7 this afternoon - taking EVERYTHING out of the wardrobe and sorting/organising what fits/what I wear and all that jazz. Then I can start really working out what I need/want.

A common thread in these plans is to have basic colour themes and looking through some of the stuff I already have I'm thinking denim/black as my base with red/teal/purple/grey as my 'accents'. I've still got a little voucher money left (thanks dad!!) from christmas so I might just be going out this afternoon to do a little shopping. Do you plan your wardrobe?? I'd love to hear from you if you do - how do you do it? Is it successful? what model/plan works for you?

2010 Sewing Challenge

Carolyn over at My Favourite is running a 12 month challenge which I've signed up for hence the new button in the side bar. Basic deal is that every month for 2010 there is a new sewing challenge - sign up for one or twelve, it's up to you!

January is 'Something for me' - I've already made a skirt for me but I'm definitely unimpressed - the pattern is good, fabric is great, just a bad choice of pattern for me I think. The skirt has a dropped waistband and gathers which sit right on my hips (ie - the widest part of me!!) so it may well be unpicked and put back in the stash. I do love this wrap skirt pattern which may well end up being my project for the month. I'm also loving checking out lots of new blogs and seeing what other crafty chickies are up to during the month too!

I know another mumma who is just getting started in what I'm sure will be a long and industrious love with sewing so come on Mrs B - sign up with me!!!