Phew! I’ve finished the capsule work wardrobe that I’ve been making for Cassie over the past few months…! Most of these things have been previously blogged, and I’m just rounding up here with the last three pieces…
item 1; limoncello top; based upon NewLook 6483, with widened shoulder line, and slimmed down body. I did have a small amount of leftovers that I hoped would be enough to get a skirt out of, but actually it wasn’t… *sad face* but hey, the plan was just for a top and it is a pretty one after all! Fabric from Spotlight, button from stash.
I finished the armholes and neckline with pink cotton voile cut on the bias, simply because I had no yellow or even yellow-ish fabric that would do… The same pink voile was used to make the little skinny button loop in each of these two tops.
item 2; pale pink top; same NewLook 6483 pattern, but a narrower shoulder line, same body as pattern. Fabric from Spotlight and the same pink cotton voile used to finish the armhole and neckline edges. btw, I did a tutorial on how to do a bias binding finish like these, here
item 3; pink “banksia” skirt; based upon my heavily modified Vogue 8363. I know I always cite this pattern, but I think I really shouldn’t because I really have modified it so extensively that you couldn’t make this skirt using the pattern, actually. Fabric is a beautiful Jocelyn Proust print from Spotlight, and it’s lined using a pink lining fabric from my stash.
We bought these fabrics together last year, back when we first started planning her back-to-work wardrobe as a new Mum, and I estimate that with the lining, and not including a small amount of leftovers that I *think* I can squeeze a little skirt out of, or maybe “something”: I used 2.5m to make these items; bringing my yearly total up to 4m at this point;
but in addition to that….!
Cassie and I are working on a new pattern right now, and I have used another extra 4m of some of my “junky” fabrics recently in sewing samples and testing garments. I may or may not actually wear some of these at some point, but I hope to wear them a few times, at least! Anyway; even though I haven’t blogged those things, my real “fabric used” total is actually up up to 8m and in my #use30from stash challenge: I have 22m to go!
Thoughts! I have some… this is more like a diary entry, more than anything else… so I know this is besides the point really; but I popped into Spotlight the other day to pick up a zip and was sorely tempted to buy some fabric! It was really hard to just walk out with my zip! but I’m determined to use 30m first. Ideally; I would love to get my stash down to a very small amount of beautiful fabrics that I’m really excited to use, rather than being full of donated fabrics that I didn’t choose for myself, or buy, and really don’t “want” to use at all, to be perfectly honest. I don’t want to just toss things out willy nilly though, and am really keen to use the 30m from my stash gainfully.
That’s it! See you soon!
A beautifully coordinated, easy-to-wear wardrobe. I especially like the pink skirt and top.
I cleared the sewing/crafting decks one year and it was a very worthwhile exercise. I ended up with some lovely fabrics left to use and a little bit of shopping space left for choosing something I really liked. I love that wardrobe. It is harder to do that here in the UK because of the dramatic weather changes. I have the newLook pattern and I have used it a lot. The other one I use a lot is NewLook 6217 (I actually knew the number!) it makes a great capsule wardrobe too. x
I like all these clothes, and they suit Cassie wonderfully. I hope, you enjoy seeing her wear them and she enjoys wearing them. All the best from a stormy and wet Basel Anita
Oh that’s a lovely top. Very versatile. I do love the bias finish you used it makes it so tidy.
Carolyn: Your sewing is outstanding in every detail. I totally understand about getting the stash down as I am feeling the same right now to just the beautiful fabrics. I always look forward to seeing what you are sewing and reading your thoughts.
Lovely wardrobe for your lovely daughter… I’m looking forward to seeing your new design!
Lovely capsule! I adore creating makes for my girl, so I appreciate your sharing these here. I am with you on the stash – especially in regard to bits gifted from others that you would NEVER have chosen – yet can’t stand to waste! Good luck on your endeavor and strength of spirit!!! HA!
What does Cassie work as?
Maybe you can offload the fabric you do not want to use to a local charity that sews e.g. clothes for homeless or underprivileged people. Or post it as up for grabs on a special page on your blog.