Brainstorming your summer closet

Which is kind of ironic because I'm in the process of planning my late summer/early fall sets, my summer planning have been done since February and my first set is almost complete.

When I'm master-minding my sets this is how it goes on paper:

 

You MUST truely know what you have in there. Let me tell you, I have four wrap dresses, guess what I'm NOT making this summer?

 
I really don't know another way to put it.

I chose the pattern for my summer set based on what I want to wear, where I intend to wear it, what fabric I have on hand, what patterns I wanted to sew and colored fabric that look great on me.

Those are the objectives, so everything I sew have to fall within those requirements.

 
You can buy every pattern you love but you can't sew every pattern you love in one season so get it together.

I don't like spending a lot of time sewing long winded, highly meticulous patterns period, I will do it if I really love the pattern but its not my favorite thing to do so one of my "standards" is to have projects that take a weekend to make, probably 8 to 10 hours max.

I know some people hate to make muslins, if that is you, guess what, that is a "standard" make note of it.

 
This applies for choosing patterns and fabric. I do this ALL THE TIME.

So when I read blogs and people are talking about all the things they didn't expect to happen when they chose their fabric choice, I just wonder, how much thought did they really put into making that garment.

"If I had six hours to cut down a tree, I’d spend four hours sharpening the ax"- Abraham Lincoln

Don't get me wrong, Life happens, you will never really be able to think of every single thing, but as my mom said, you better hate it before you love it because once you commit to it, its a done deal.

Think about all the things that can go wrong and scrutinize it fully, send it to a sewing buddy and let them critique it for you.

 
No rushing to pick patterns or fabrics and absolutely no rushing to sew them up either. If I had a yard of fabric for everytime I mess up a part of a garment when I was sewing because I was trying to get it done so I can go out, or go to sleep or finish up on Sunday night because I had to go to work tomorrow, I would actually have a stash, Its not worth it.

Make a list of what you want to sew and call it draft one, go back through it a dozen times, you should see my new list, its needs tons of editing.

 
Yes, they sure do and not what you expect.

I remember this one wool blend navy dress I made when I first started sewing, it seems like it grew everytime I wore it, is that possible?

It was fine when I first started and became unwearable after a few times I wore it. Colors fade, fabric shrinks, necklines stretch and on and on, don't let it get to you.

That is why I say to do "the worst case situation" as part of your planning, for all these things.

 

After each of my garments is done, I look over it, I scrutinize the finished photos, I make mental notes of what NOT to do and what I can use again and I keep it moving regardless if its super fabulous or MEH!

So even though you are not one to plan elaborate 12 piece coordinating sewing wardrobes, its still good to have some type of direction for your sewing. Pull out that calendar and your patterns and start dreaming.

more later,

Toy

Comments

[Nancy]

This is a great post. I'm brand new to sewing and I want to learn to sew a whole wardrobe. Not just a little of this and a little of that. Great advice!

[Lisa]

I really enjoyed this post. It's so easy to be influenced by what others are sewing and what you see at the fabric store.

[CarlaF-in Atlanta]

Great post! When I analyze my sewing project, I actually write down what went right and what went wrong. I put that paper in the pattern envolope so that I will remember.

[adrienne]

SUPERB post!

[dd]

I am learning to live through others projects (like you said) cause I cant possibly get to all the ones I'd like to complete. I also decided that since I'm in school I need to keep with the quick and easy in order feel some sort of accomplishment. Great Post!

[sheila]

Great post. I make notes on the pattern envelopes, so if and when I decide to make it again its right there.

[Dr. Z]

Thank you for allowing me to "see" how you plan your projects and for reminding me to think about the entire process. It's not just the finished object that gives me pleasure. Thanks for your insight!

[Marla]

Great information...Are you sure you're not a Life Strategist?

[karen]

As much as I LOVE seeing everything you make I think this is your best post ever. You use your sewing time and money so efficiently, I really admire that.

[Cennetta]

Super cute looks. Hmmmm... I'm putting a few on my list.

[Rachel]

Great post Toy! I'm trying to plan what to make for my Summer wardrobe, I'm in the planning stage now. I've 10 whole days off work over Easter and the Royal Wedding (England). My problem is there is way too much choice out there and I agonize over what to make and then end up not making anything! I read loads of sewing and style blogs, look at all the pattern catalogues etc for inspiration and then get totally confused about what I'm actually going to make. How do you stay so focussed?

[Tany]

Great post, Toy, I subscribe everything you said

[Susan]

So true! Well said. I came a cross your blog when researching a pattern I'm thinking of making. Now I'm a fan!

[Clourpoff]

Eben dass wir ohne Ihre ausgezeichnete Phrase machen wГјrden

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