Thursday 19 February 2015

Sewing out of season

I don't know about you, but when the weather turns cold I tend to do two things on the wardrobe front. Firstly I sew a few functional, knit garments. Then I make a trip to Uniqlo and stock up on merino wool sweaters and cardigans. This fills any gaps that might have occurred after my ruthless autumn wardrobe culling, and I can finally feel warm again. Job done. As I've mentioned before though, I find blogging about functional clothing deeply boring and try not to do it too often. I only blogged about the White Russian sweatshirt because it was a new-to-me pattern. 

It gets to the point when you realise enough is enough. I've had my fill of cold weather sewing - I want to sew pretty tops and skirts, and work with lovely cottons and linens rather than knits. I want to make button up sleeveless tops and shirt dresses. So that's what I'm going to do. It may be a while before any of them actually get worn, but who cares?! Here's what's going to be on my sewing list over the next few weeks:

I've always wanted to try and draft my own version of the 1950's inspired shoulder tie dress that Casey made a few years ago.  I LOVE that particular shoulder detail and it will be a good opportunity to work with my bodice and skirt blocks. The shoulder ties are similar to the ones on this vintage pattern.


If you're interested in making a 1950's style sundress yourself, her excellent tutorials can be found here (part one) and here (part two).  I think I have just enough of the pretty Japanese lawn left over from my toned down bow blouse to make a dress.


Ever since pledging to make just the one pattern for the Vintage Sewing Pattern Pledge, I've suddenly got a burning desire to sew with vintage patterns. Talk about contrary! 


So as well as the vintage halter neck I pledged to make, I have plans to make another Simplicity 4238 using my double-sided double gauze (now there's a mouthful!) that I talked about here.


My navy gingham version is about to die on me and I need at least four versions in constant rotation through the summer or I start panicking! What can I say? I love that pattern so much!

And finally I'd like to get on with a spring shirtdress using my lovely Hemingway Designs fabric.


I have all these ideas racing around in my head and the fabric to make them with so I've decided to pull myself out of my sewing rut and just go for it. Can't wait, can't wait, can't WAIT! x





27 comments:

  1. I'm totally in the mood for summer sewing too! Currently have a self drafted backless sundress on my sewing table to finish off. Definitely won't be wearing that for a while! ;-D

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    1. Oooh I like the sound of that sundress! x

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  2. I love all your plans. Halters, and button downs and bows, oh my!

    I'm having similar feelings about winter sewing. Keep telling myself to ignore the summer stuff for awhile, but then I don't sew at all.

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    1. Yes, I'd rather just get on with summer stuff now, regardless of the weather! x

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  3. LOVE the halter neck pattern. I really want to try out some new vintage patterns but have put myself on a spending ban for 2015, so will have to work with what I have.

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    1. I ALWAYS want to try out new vintage patterns too, it's hard on the purse though! x

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  4. All of these sewing plan sound wonderful, and I can't wait to see the finished projects. Jane, you are so inspiring to me and do such beautiful work . One cannot help just getting out there and choosing a project and getting on with it! I just love your blog.

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  5. That halter neck dress, wow!! So pretty! I totally hear you... I'm burned out on cold weather sewing! I'm just tired of it, I'm tired of winter, and I'm tired of cold! I can never seem to sew out of season, though, so instead I've channeled my energy into making baby gifts. They're quick and easy, plus it's so fun to pick out cute fabric for them... way better than cold weather clothing!

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    1. It is hard to sew out of season, I like it though, it makes me feel rebellious! I LOVE making baby gifts too, so cute, so satisfying and such gorgeous fabrics to work with! x

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  6. I have a list as long as my arm of the stuff I want to make for the spring, but I've still got winterish fabrics waiting to be sewn up which will give me a major guilt trip if I don't do them first! I am really looking forward to seeing your shoulder tie top, and the rest of them!

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    1. I can't wait to make that shoulder tie dress! x

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  7. I just cant look at heavy material anymore!!!!!

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    1. No, I want frilly summer stuff now and nothing else! x

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  8. Haha! Since I was at camp all summer I've been wanting to sew summer things all winter. I think I'm just going to give up on my winter wardrobe and sew all the summer things!

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  9. Agreed! I am diligent about sewing warm and functional garments in winter; however, I find in the deep cold, that I need to rotate between cold weather and warm weather garments. In fact, I just made a spring/summer dress from fuschia polka dot cotton. Love it!

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    1. Now a polka dot dress is my kind of summer sewing! x

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  10. I'm doing the same! Sewing up spring and summer items. I'm so over this winter thing.

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  11. Definitely not making any more winter clothes! Summer dresses here we come!

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  12. love the colors on the dress! with temps in the teens & ice here & there's it doesn't seem spring is just around the corner , I haven't started seasonal sewing yet but have started a collection of animal printed fabrics for all those Zoo trips coming up this Summer, yep I will be decked out in elephants, monkeys, flaminos. maybe even hippos lol! oh well it makes for happy fabric shopping lol! I think out of season is a great idea, we should try to stay a season ahead, happy Spring sewing to you!

    Helen

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    1. Happy spring sewing to you too, monkeys and all! x

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  13. Ooh I love the looks of your plans! I too have always LOVED Casey's dress so I can't wait to see how it goes for you! I'm right there with you in wanting to sew for warmer weather. I'm both doing coats but also plotting summery things, like starting a lawn top from a vintage pattern (that I hope to sew in Liberty next!). I figure that way if it starts to warm up I won't feel like abandoning the cold weather projects if I'm also thinking towards summer at the same time. lol

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  14. Once Easter is here Summer is only just around the corner, so bring on the pretty dresses! Thanks also for the post about bark cloth, I see it all the time at car boot sales and didn't know it had a 'proper' name!

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  15. Ooh, can't wait to see what you do with that Hemingway print. I'm feeling the same as you right now. I'm in the middle of making a summer dress for Dolores, that won't even fit her until 2016! Talk about out of season sewing! xxx

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