Tales from a Pattern Addict

I may attempt to add some of my comments from The Stitcher’s Guild here…but for now I’m going to use this as a journaling/rambling and not clog their boards…

So, the plan is brown pants, denim trousers, denim skirt, teal/black skirt; white blouse, pink blouse, pink jersey top, black wrap top/cardi, tattoo cotton blouse and some sort of tunic. I’m leaning toward a black cord blazer (possibly with some accents of a black/brown stripe cord I have in stash–using the rest, as previously planned, to make a vest).

The black wrap top will be dead simple–cut out two bodies and two sleeves, CB seam, two sleeve seams and two set-in sleeves. Peachy. No, I’m not hemming any of it. I love unhemmed jersey.

The raspbery “club” top will be only marginally more difficult (as there is actual pleating involved).

I’m unconcerned about the pink & tattoo cotton tops–basic button downs. No big. I’m reasonably certain I’ll do the tattoo top; I’m hesistant about the pink one–but it does coordinate well with the teal skirt. I’m thinking of changing that pattern too…

Anyway, I’m really musing about the white top. I’m not sure why, but I feel like I need one. Of course, I don’t have a long-sleeved white blouse. But do I want it plain or detailed? Fitted or less-so? If details, what kind? Pin-tucking, embroidery, topstitching?

But I have to go to a meeting now…

Well, I joined the JCC. I haven’t posted yet as I don’t really have anything to share. Truth told, I don’t know that I’ll have time to come even close to finishing. Boo!
But I wanted to try.
I just need to get this monkey off my back (the cribset) and then I’ll have a little time. Not much, though. I’m super busy every weekend–my good time to work. Sigh. I’ve got at least two patterns chosen: I’ll be remaking S3684, this time in a pink/purple/gold stripe (original was the “engagement shirt”–black/red/cream stripe). Yes, it’s another stripe, yes I’ll be rotating it on the bias for the bib and yes it’s even the same type of material. I chafe. On the other hand, I know it fits and it will fit the same way. Go me.
Pattern two is V2907 in a khaki stretch poplin. Nice wide leg, I think I measured to find that it should fit reasonably–I’ll want to make sure there’s a CB seam in the waistband. I haven’t decided if I’ll try for welt pockets. I’m guessing not. A) I very rarely use my pockets anyway, particularly on dress pants and b) I’ve never done welts before and my time is limited.
Pattern three is likely M5138, in a very traditional pale green shirting. I’ll do white topstitching. It will be a very classic (if mostly tailored) oxford. I’m tempted, however, to use S3684 as well (sans bib) as it’s a Threads pattern and won’t require the very-new-to-me FBA (I sorta get it but not totally).
As for the fourth item and the accessory? Not really sure. I need a new purse, but they’re fiddly. I’ll likely just throw together some jewelry. The fourth item? Dunno. Maybe a summer dress, maybe something else. Not sure. Worst case, I can either pull out the brown suedecloth M4306 I made last winter or throw together yet another version of that pattern. It’s about an hour to sew and fits like a dream (gee, it is only one pattern piece and a simple zipper).
Oddly pastel for me. LOL. But good summer wear.
However, all three of the “decided” items are time-consuming–and I don’t have a lot of time.
In addition to working full time, I have one evening taken with bellydance classes, most of another talking to the family, there’s a garden to care for and a living room to finish decorating, laundry and dishes to keep up on, dinner to make…and the step-kids are coming in July. My step-daughter’s room is a certifiable mess currently. It’s kinda been a dumping ground as I sort out my sewing room. Sigh. I really need to get that place more organized. I sorta left it “I can get at what I absolutely need to, to get things going.”
But I’m going to soldier on. I’ve got a little bit of time this weekend, depending on what I get roped into. Almost nil next weekend. The following is undecided and the last weekend…again, undecided. We might be picking up the kids. Not sure when that’s happening, exactly.

I just might actually participate in the Timmel SWAP after all. I just need to make my qualifying purchase (4m of black CL jersey–shipped to my MIL’s so I don’t have to worry about customs) and get cracking. I just might have most of the other fabric, so my tentative goal is to get everything except the two black CL jersey garments cut and sewn by the time my husband returns from Canada. That’s 3 weeks from now–two free weekends and one partial weekend. Plus week-time for cutting. Yay!
I’m only missing one pattern, but that’s for a black CL jersey garment so I can wait for a sale on that.
I’m making a going-out SWAP. I might call it my “Mezze SWAP” as that’s where I go salsa dancing all the time.
I’ll directly reference patterns later but I’ve got M5144 as my wardrobe—I’ll be making the tank top (fabric undecided), gauchos (black CL jersey), and pants (ideally brown jersey). The jacket will be B4991 (black twill suiting w/ brown accents)–a structured crop jacket. M5379 will be a jersey wrap dress in a fun brown/teal print I picked up on the cheap from JoAnn’s. M5586 will be a black & white floral printed georgette (likely lined with either black or white chiffon or georgette). V2815 triple-belted top (black twill suiting)—I’ve been wanting to make this top forever. V8138 wrap top/jacket (black CL jersey—need this pattern). V8233 tiered wrap dress (not sure on the fabric for this; I have a smashing orange/red pansy-ish print cotton that could be a good accent but I don’t know. I’m sure it’ll come from my stash.) And V8426 “butt skirt” (denim w/ red topstitching). Oh and S4074 flippy skirt—previously made in red rayon jersey. I anticipate the tank being made either out of the same red or scraps of the black CL jersey.
I’m pretty sure I’ve met all of the requirements: 1 jacket, 4 tops, 4 bottoms, 2 dresses. One print (b/w top—although I may embroider an allover design for the jacket contrast). Two or less garments made from a previous time (just one). One or less purchased garments (none, at this time). Every top coordinating with every bottom (will double check with drawings but seems fine), every top coordinating with the jacket, jacket coordinating with the dresses.
Most of the stuff seems pretty easy although I’m a bit intimidated by the tank. I know, weird, hunh? Well, I’ve made a similar style tank dress before and it turned out just awful. But I’m up for the challenge. I’ll be altering the banding to increase the width (from the photo it’s a skinny-strap. With my chest, I need something more substantial to be flattering). Probably the most time-consuming and annoying piece will be the V8233 tiered dress—just because gathering is tedious.
I’ll have to be sure to bring my croquis, patterns & other drawing materials up with me tonight so I can sketch this out. I wish I could convince my friend to join me…but she’s barely sewn one thing in the past couple of years so I’m not holding my breath. I figure if I can convince her to work on a costume for GenCon, I’m good. LOL.

Now that my initial SWAP plan has been thrown out the window, I’ve been musing on alternatives. I have options for another work-wardrobe SWAP but nothing I’m really digging. At least, not within the confines of the Timmel Challenge (that is, the wardrobe pattern requirement–I can find two garments I like, but the third is forced).
But nothing says I need to make a work wardrobe. What about a more casual or even a club SWAP? “Club” meaning good for salsa dancing, in my case. I could use a casual wardrobe that isn’t jeans or pajama pants. But then it’d probably just be a work-casual wardrobe anyway. :P
So…club. Hrm. I can have things that with my boobage would be risque in the workplace…but oh so acceptable at the club. My jacket could be a coat…Everything needs to move, dry-clean is acceptable only in pants (tops would get sweat-soaked instantly). Entirely washable would be ideal (sans the coat, naturally).
I don’t think I’ll be entering the Timmel SWAP this year. The wardrobe pattern requirement is just chafing me and making me compromise on a wonderful plan.
I think I’ll still attempt a SWAP–just heavily modified to better suit my needs. I’m thinking 11 garments: 3 dresses, 4 tops, 4 bottoms and each top need only match 3 bottoms and vice-versa. That should still garner me about 15 looks–plenty for clubbing once a week. Oh and none of the mentioned garments can be purchased; they can, however, have been made previously. If possible, I’ll try to get everything to coordinate, but I’m not going to be overly concerned. Oh and as much fabric as possible needs to come from my stash.
Let’s see…there’s that olive dress to finish up…I can count my red flippy skirt, maybe the purple palazzo pants…the b/w print swing top I’m planning…maybe some black gauchos (I really hope they’re acceptable this season; I about lived in mine last year)–different pattern from before, however. Something with actual elastic. That simplicity pattern with the nifty cut-out shoulders. Maybe in red. Not sure. That black & white cotton would be pretty. Gah. Venturing outside the realm of coordinating.
This is so not the way I think about sewing OR my wardrobe. I’ve never, ever been concerned with any item matching more than one or two things–except maybe my basic tees and tanks (which don’t count in my book anyway). Like the grey/black/red houndstooth pants I’m wearing now. Obviously, the print makes it virtually impossible to wear with any other print. But I’ve worn them with my black sweater and white tank top, my fine red sweater w/ a black or white tank top, red tee with one of two grey blazers…I think I have two other sweaters I could wear it with as well. Oh and two different black button downs and probably my white short-sleeved button down (haven’t had these over a summer yet). Could I fit them into a SWAP? I don’t think so without feeling too matchy-matchy and restricted. I think it’s the prospect of churning out 11 items that all match that bothers me. The very basic core of this idea. I think it’s the fact that I tend to wear my garments right away and I’d feel like I was wearing the same thing if I made it all coordinate. Nevermind that I’ll probably end up with something like that but over a period of time.
I’ll chew on it some more and see what I come up with. Bah.

Gah. I’d pysched myself into doing the SWAP I planned before Christmas. It featured a cool black/white/teal/yellow boucle for the jacket and a skirt. I’d even just figured out what my fourth top would be.
And then I made the first jumper/dress. This was the inspiration for the entire SWAP. I’d just cut it out when I decided I might actually be able to stomach a SWAP.
I hate it.
No, I mean it’s completely unflattering. Aside from the fact that I need to take a tapering 2in (or more) from the center back (starting from the top, tapering to the waist. And aside from the fact that I didn’t realize this until I had completely finished the center back seam (I’d tried the dress on before I’d inserted the zipper but not after and before finishing the seams). No, even if the upper back fit perfectly (I really need to remember to flat measure things–I’m guess that, while I chose the correct size for my full bust measurement, I forgot that I’m rather frontally-endowed rather than evenly.) Even if the upper back fit perfectly, it’s awful. I look, well, dumpy. I look like a big, lumpy, rectangle. And, oh, granted, I’ve put on a couple pounds from the holidays but this is ridiculous! I’m sure I can figure something out to make it redeemable (like taking that gapage out of the upper back and adding a belt or something)…I don’t know that I want it to be the centerpiece of the SWAP.
So? Back to the drawing board. My plan may not be a total loss; I picked up a piece of embroidered corduroy (brown with teal & red) that might work as my centerpiece. I have a chunk of black corduroy that would probably make a good jacket (if I use the brown corduroy, I could bind the seams in red satin. Oooo). The white charmeuse blouse and the black blouse would still work, as would the knit dress. The denim skirt would work and the teal corduroy. The black pants would be in the air as would the pre-made black skirt and I’d need another dress and two tops. I hadn’t decided what the brown embroidered corduroy would be–skirt and vest or dress. I’m waffling.
So…off to find a new wardrobe pattern (maybe). And a new plan.
Sigh.

Yes, yes, I’ve been absent. Gah.
I’ve been doing some sewing, lots more cutting and finally some planning.
I’m hoping to enter the Timmel SWAP contest this year. I’m inspired and I have a plan all worked out! Why the “hope” then? Well, my husband and I are actively looking at buying a house–and hoping to move in within the exact timeframe of the SWAP. Egads! So, while I have a wonderful plan, it’s entirely likely I’ll be moving rather than sewing. :-( But I’m going to try to get as much together and cut and notions before the end of the year. Then I won’t have to worry about where everything is as we move (and I can leave as little as possible out of packing). I’m kinda excited.

Not that I have time right now…
Where does this come from? Well, I was in London, Ont. this weekend visiting my fiance’s sister. On Saturday I had the choice of sitting at home in front of the TV (knitting or doing embroidery–I had not brought my computer with me to play my own games) while the boys played WoW or hang out at the mall while my to-be-SIL was working (she has a second job at a clothing store). Well…I wanted to go shopping anyway…
I did buy some cute new stuff (a cute summer suit, a couple of basics and added some red to the wardrobe). But then there was Le Chateau.
Unfortunately, Le Chateau is not in the States (that I’ve ever seen…Oh, I guess there’s some in New York). It is, hands down, my favorite store. Has been for years now. Every time I walk in there I want virtually everything in the store. Everything. They generally have 3-4 “colorways” in the store (a dozen or so coordinating items). Everything is so classy. They don’t really carry much in the way of very casual (some graphic tees or mini skirts); they tend more toward “work” clothes and dressy going-out clothes. Oh I just love them!
So yeah…I want to make my own Le Chateau wardrobe. Yuppers. Must collect inspiration…

I bought this great white cotton with pale green stripes in two thicknesses. I see retro dress. But there was only 3.75yds so not enough for a full-on 50s dress. And I want something a bit more summery than a straight dress…
Hrm. Maybe I’ll find a nice bodice (could the new Vogue go on sale soon?), cut that out then simply pleat on the rest of the material.
I’ve considered then discarded Butterick 4443 and a number of new-vintage patterns (you know, the reprints from the Big 3)–the latter because of lack of yardage. Perhaps I’ll use the same pattern as for Ginger. It’s vaguely retro but would still fit in the yardage. Maybe just for yucks I’d try the halter style…yes, that takes just 2.75yd…which would leave me just enough left to do the jacket from Simplicity 3780. If I could manage it, it’d be great to get the green as the contrast binding (and maybe even use that for the hem too…) but if not, white muslin would substitute quite nicely. :-D
Oh bother. I just realized last night I picked out a few more patterns (because having a dozen projects on deck is simply not enough for me) and I didn’t update anything here.
Someday I’ll get into the habit. :P

I don’t have a LBD. For some reason, I’ve never made one. I’ve thought about making one for years; I mean, what woman doesn’t need a LBD in her closet?? But I don’t have one. (Well, I sorta do, a $5 Express clearance purchase that is about 4 sizes too small right now). Problem being: I have 3 weeks and one weekend to work on this (yes, only one weeked out of the three weekends is available). Oh and complete two children’s dresses (possibly three, if I can bang one out for my niece) and a cribset. Eep! But I’m going to make plans and purchase material. The alternative: my winter formal dress from my last year in college. It looked silly with my long hair last year, but this year I whacked 14in so it just might look better. I get the feeling Dave may think it’s too funky for a work holiday party.

I do have more patterns available, but here’s a showing of the ones I have online.

Well, there’s more I may purchase…but I’m not uploading those until I do. I think it’d be great if I got two textures of black…or maybe a really subtle print. Hrm. Ah well, it’s probably just a pipe dream anyway. LOL.

Edit: added two New Look today; new purchase! I also purchase black Casa satin (2.5yds) and black brocade w/ silver chrysanthemums (1.5yds). An excess of material? Likely. But I like my options open. :-D I think I’ll bring my pattern books up with me this weekend…I know I have a programming-related project to do, as well as visiting with the to-be-stepkids and to-be-in-laws…but they aren’t that big! LOL.

I hope to get a lot of sewing done. I do realize what I’d like to get done and what will actually be accomplished are two very different beasts.

So, here’s a dump of thumbnails (no, didn’t bother linking the pattern; I’ll do that when they become Planned Projects). Some of these I may be able to stash-dive for, others I’ll keep an eye out for sales!

Oh I think there’s more…but I apparently I don’t have nearly as many images of my patterns as I’d thought. Sigh.