This week I’m outlining my sewing plans for winter 2020 (more about the refashions later). This is a little unusual, to say the least for me because I’m generally not one to make solid plans for my sewing makes…I often have a very rough idea of what I want to make over the next few weeks ahead and then I’ll just pick an item and make a start. However, what tends to happen is that I get stuck not having the right thread or buttons or zips and I end up having to stall my project while I order all the haberdashery and bits and bobs that I need and then wait around for it to arrive (not much in the way of a good local shop to visit for supplies). So it’s not the best way to handle my time.
I decided it was time to changed my ways and try my hand at being organised for once in my life!
So I trawled through my stash and I have 10 pieces of fabric and a good idea of what I want to make with each one so I set about sorting out everything needed for each project. I got threads, zips, interfacing, lining, buttons, patterns, etc.
Next, I bought some re-sealable plastic bags off eBay so that everything for each project could be stored together in a neat little bundle. It was so satisfying putting my project packs together and I felt really clear-headed and organised about it all. Such a good feeling…
So without further ado let’s have a quick rundown of my planned makes that will be popping up on the blog over the next few months
ONE:
First up is a lovely leopard print wool coating bought from Fabric Godmother. I’ll be making it into Burda 114 from August 2016. It’s a lovely little short coat and I love the back belt detail and fab pockets. I didn’t have the magazine in my stash so I bought the PDF which is already printed off and good to go.
TWO:
Next, is this printed Ponte knit from Clothspot that will become a pair of slim pants with zippered details at the ankles. I’ll be using my own trouser pattern that I created some time back from a RTW pair that fit me quite well.
THREE:
I picked up this checked wool fabric from the swap table at Stitch Room Sewcial 2 years ago. I’ll be making a skirt using an old Vogue pattern from my collection. I love the asymmetry and fold effect and the fact that it’s cut on the bias will be lovely in the check design.
FOUR:
This olive green poly/viscose blend suiting came from Clothspot and will become McCalls cargo/jogger-style pants (M 8099). I think these will be really comfy for wearing casually around the house.
FIVE:
You may recognise this green and white knit that first featured in this post. There was enough leftover from that sweater for a cardigan too. I plan to use Burda sweater pattern 108 09/2019 as my starting point. I can cut through the front pattern piece, change the neckline into a ‘V’ and put some narrow bands down each front edge.
SIX:
I’ve had this grey denim for ages and if memory serves me right, I bought it from Sherwoods Fabrics. I’ll be making up the Vikisews Brittany pants. I already have the PDF printed and ready to go.
SEVEN:
Yet another Clothspot fabric and this time it’s gorgeous spotty silk chiffon. I want to make a blouse with deep buttoned cuffs, puffed sleeves and a slim fit body. I’ve struggled to find just the exact style that I want, so I might use the same Burda pattern mentioned in number 5 and use that as a starting point even though it’s intended for a knit fabric.
EIGHT:
This next fabric is a Tencel Modal jersey which I bought from Fabric Godmother at the same time as the animal print coating. It’s the most fabulous duck-egg shade. I want to make a top with some kind of draping around the neck. I fancy going free-hand with it and draping on my dressform.
NINE:
This fabric is leftover from a previous Burda make and was an absolute bargain. I got over two metres for the grand total of £2 from the Birmingham Rag Market. I’m thinking of making a cardigan with a waterfall front and I might use Butterick 6244 coat pattern and adapt it. I’ve made the pattern before…here…and love it so much.
TEN:
And finally, this gorgeous ex-designer camel wool fabric which I bought from Croftmill. I’ll be making the DP Studio blazer Le100 using traditional tailoring methods. I have the most gorgeous strawberry red paisley jacquard lining and some bold red collar felt for the under-collar so it’s going to look stunning :). I’m thinking of leaving this make until February next year in preparation for the warmer transitional spring weather as it’s already getting a little too cold for wearing blazers now.
For the moment I haven’t decided on a specific order from my makes. I think I just decide as I go along but at least for now, I’ve got absolutely everything I need for each project and I know I’ve already thought of pattern ideas that I want to use for each fabric but this is open to change and I won’t be holding myself to ransom over pattern choices.
Ok. So before I round off this post I also want to share a couple of refashions that I did lately.
My first refashion was the Burda sweater pattern that I already mentioned earlier (108 08/2019) was made several months ago. Here’s a picture of it.
I changed the neckline because I didn’t enjoy how the style cut across my throat and it felt a bit uncomfortable. Instead, I’ve turned it into a sort of a loose fit roll neck. I prefer it much better now and I’ve already worn it several times.
Another make which has only been worn about 3 times is this mint Ponte knit dress. I’ve turned it into a useful sweater. As a dress, it was never a good fit across my shoulders at the back… too narrow in fact and I fixed that problem by totally lifting the back up and re-cutting the armholes. I much prefer it as a sweater now and it goes with so many other things in my wardrobe.
Doing a refashion isn’t the most fun thing to do but is so worth the effort. Why not take a look at some of your un-worn or un-loved items and if you still love the fabric why not change the style into something you might get more wear out of?
And on that note, I’ll love you and leave you and will see you soon. Oh, and keep a lookout for my planned makes on the blog over the next few months. And tell me…are you a planner?
Catch you soon.
Sounds exciting! How long do you think it will all take? I’m not normally a planner but I’m giving it a try right now.
Author
Hi Catherine. Thanks! Well, the plan is to spread out the makes between now and about the first week of March. I’ve got about 3 projects planned before Christmas and the rest afterwards. Some are quicker makes than others so I’ll most likely do a quickie in between more involved projects. The overall master plan behind this was to get more organised with a blog posting schedule too. I’m a slow sewer, so along with other subjects for my blog in-between, I think I have about the right balance. We will see though!
I enjoy putting fabric plans together. They don’t always happen as planned, but that is OK! We give ourselves that permission as creators, don’t we? You plans look lovely. I’m especially looking forward to your printed ponte pants — I have a similar cut that I bought for a dress that just hasn’t happened. Light-bulb moment when you mentioned pants!
Thank you for sharing your plan — I’ll be following closely.
Author
Thanks, Karen. Yes, we absolutely can give ourselves permission to alter our creative plans…there’s a reason that they call it ‘artistic license’ hehe! Oh, you should definitely give Ponte pants a try. They are so comfy!
I just discovered the JOY of ponte pants last year and once worn I really had to say, “Where have you been all my life?!” They are now the only pants I wear so I was keen to see the fabric you would be using with yours. I bought the Jalie ponte pant pattern but I haven’t put it to use yet. I’ve been working on the “duster” project lately (The Cambria right now by Friday company) so I was keen about your Lisette sweater coat. I’m not sure about such a large flounce down the front on me 🙂 I’m always excited to see what you’re planning, dreaming and ultimately making.
Author
Cheers, Kathleen. Glad to hear that you’re another Ponte pant convert too. The Cambria duster is a lovely shape, but you’re right about the Lisette coat as that is a lot of extra fabric for sure. I don’t have enough of that blue mottled knit for a long version of a cardi in the same style so it’ll be shortened by quite a bit….unless I see another style that might try out 🙂
Wonderful post, Diane: so fun to hear your ideas and approach to various projects. Your stack of fabrics is gorgeous and suits your coloring. The leopard print coating and silk chiffon print really grab me, but of course, those are the ‘eye candy’ projects ;-}
I enjoyed following your links to earlier projects: your wonderful Lissette coat and your mint green dress, now sweater/top.
Re. the ponte mint green dress to top project: just love the sleeve detail: and thank you very much for explaining how to make the slight bell with easing. I KNOW I will copy that, as it is really lovely! And I loved the beautiful job on the original dress’s hem.
— Would you mind explaining what you changed across the back shoulders? Did you unstitch the sleeves and take smaller seams to give more width across the upper back, or ? I am really curious what “totally lifting the back up and recutting the armholes” means.
Author
Thanks, Joan. I’m pleased that you like my fabrics especially the two fancier ones. Can’t wait to get sewing those. In fact, the leopard print is first up 🙂
Re-mint dress refashion… The main problem was a lack of width in the upper shoulder area across the back. As I intended it as a sweater I knew that I had plenty of length to play with so I actually unpicked the back of the dress completely off the front, leaving the back bit of the sleeve head floating lose.
Then on the back piece, I moved further down the fabric where it was a little wider and marked out and re-cut the armholes, but spaced further apart. The back piece was then re-sewn onto the front and then I decided on my finished sweater length.
Thanks for the details, Diane. A fair bit of work, but worth the effort!
This was really fun to see and read! Great plans! Y’all have me interested in ponte pants…. I have 2 pieces of ponte originally purchased for dresses – a geranium rose color and black /grey kind of offset plaid. Pants may be more useful! On your silk spotted blouse, Diane – your first refashion seems to fit most of your fashion points? Otherwise Vogue 1704? Amazing sleeves there! You likely know they have online pattern sales fairly often.
Author
Glad you enjoyed it, Heather… Thanks! Yes, spot on..that refashion pattern is the kind of thing..fitted with voluminous sleeves. Ooh yes, I’ve seen that Vogue pattern and nearly bought it several times…maybe it’s time to bite the bullet 🙂
I’m beyond impressed with the organisation! If I try to do this something always happens to derail me, but you have some lovely fabrics and excellent plans, so I’m looking forward to seeing them come to fruition.
Author
Hehe, thanks, Sue. Well, we’ll see if I get derailed at some point…It may well happen! I’m excited to see if it all works. Wish me luck!