Winter Wardrobe - the little black and grey dresses

I just completed piece #2 - McCall's 5924:

I love this printed ponte knit fabric (G Street - last piece!). I especially like how it looks hemmed with this black ponte as a contrast. While I was planning my wardrobe pieces, I went through my stash of ponte knit (thanks for the sale last month, Fabric Mart) and got inspired.

While I have the knit out, I plan to cut McCall's 6432 with basically the same color combo as the sketch (but my grey is slightly darker - more of a pewter grey).

Then I will take the remaining pewter grey and use it for the skirt of McCall's 6395. I plan to combine the contrast view with the long sleeve view. My version will also have a lighter grey top portion, but mine will be out of a print. I do plan to do the decorative zippers on the sleeves. I like how that looks.

Once I get these three dresses finished, I will likely tackle a top or two.

Fall & Winter Wardrobe Plan

I was cleaning up some patterns and fabric yesterday when I got the notion to sew with a plan for myself for fall and winter...and thus began the obsession. I have trouble doing things on a small scale, so before I knew it, I had a selection of patterns matched with a selection of fabrics from my stash database (yes, I have a database...it's that ridiculous).

 I made the plan in Microsoft OneNote and added yardage info for the garments I wanted to make. I then printed it out and sat down with my fabric database (and a little old-fashioned fabric fondling too) and decided on matching fabrics with patterns. I started to do this on the computer with the Modkid Madeline skirt and some Amy Butler fabrics (see top right of first image), but quickly realized that would be a headache.

At the moment, my plan includes:


14 knit tops
4 jackets
6 pants
8 dresses
11 skirts

I might make a wool coat, too, but that is the only thing I don't have fabric for in my stash right now.


Some of the highlights from the fabric stash include a lot of lovely knits - mainly ITY jersey and ponte knits. I have a fabulous velveteen for the Vogue Today's fit jacket. I also have some nice corduroys and twills for pants as well as a pair denim jeans and a denim skirt with an interesting yellow pinstripe to the fabric.


The first of my planned wardrobe items, the Modkid skirt, is now complete and already reviewed!

Me! Me! Me! I've finally finished some projects for ME!

A top, a dress, and a nightgown...all for me! I don't remember when I last did three projects in a row for myself, but it felt good. I think I might just have to continue this streak.

New sewing books & fabrics

Today was a great sewing day (in the acquisitions department). My favorite local sewing store is having their anniversary sale (Elegant Stitches - link on the side of my blog) and everything is 25% off. I picked up some lovely fabrics including:

I got the last 3 yards (40% off!). ;-)

I love this pretty line pique - will make a cute summer outfit for Gracie.

I plan to use these two prints (one is Michael Miller and the other Moda) together on this dress: Modkid - Addison

I also got another Modkid pattern on clearance:

There were a couple of other fun finds on the end-of-bolt table as well.

I think this new Lila Tueller pattern is just adorable and will be making it for Gracie next summer.

I also hit the Patsy Aiken outlet where I score some great deals on their wonderful fabrics including quite a few knits. They just started putting out excess fabrics from their Fall '11 line so I did very well on the clearance shelves. 

I hit Joann's for a few zippers and needles - it was nice to hit my phone for a 25% off coupon (sign up for their text alerts!).

Finally, my sewing shopping was rounded out at Barnes and Noble. I picked up the latest issue of Threads which includes an interesting tutorial on how to make better pants pockets.

The best find, though, were these two books:

I have been eager for both of these to come out!

Now, I just need to finish up my Vogue Tracy Reese knit dress and then I can dig into some new fun - with an extra hour this weekend to sew!

Fall wardrobe for Gracie - completed!

Here is Gracie's Thanksgiving Day look...Ottobre shirt with Burda pants. I got the fabric for both of these at the Patsy Aiken outlet. I love that place!

 How long has her hair gotten?? The pink pants are a nice basic.

 While the purple top looks great with the pink pants, it really goes well with the Hello Kitty skirt. She just loves Hello Kitty.

 I thought I had the owl dress done, but I decided it needed something and I went back and added the orange layer under the geometrically cut portion at the bottom. I think it gives it needed visual weight.

Gracie just can't stop with the cheerleader poses - lol. This outfit is from the 1/2008 Ottobre. (The tee is from Old Navy.)

 I substituted snaps for buttons...set 11 sets of snaps for the whole outfit!

The vest is lined in a raspberry pink interlock.

Of course, the best part of this is that I can now sew for ME!!!

Sleeping Beau...uh, Rapunzel

 A preview of Rapunzel (Ree-ANN-punzel as Gracie calls her)...more details and a review coming soon, but this is what you get when late night Mommy needs a model fitting after bedtime. After all, the preschool party is tomorrow!

I adapted the dress so there is no zipper needed - not easy, but worthwhile!

Like Kadiddlehopper noted, the hair directions are a mess. I'm going to just out her hair up and make it work.

Mommy, I'm tired!!

Sewing guilt, mommy guilt

I have a couple of projects for Gracie in progress. I had intended to make a few things for fall for Benjamin. I ended up just hitting some sales yesterday for him. Work has been exceptionally crazy and it bothers me that I haven't been able to get the things I wanted to do for my own children done.

I really want to work on a few new pieces for my own wardrobe. I have a lot of lovely new fabrics calling my name, but again...mired in work. Arrrghhh!!!!!!!!

Maybe once we get past Halloween I can clear the backlog in a number of places. I have to confess that the only Halloween costume I am making is Gracie's Rapunzel outfit. I have the hairpiece done, but need to cut and sew the dress - that is on tap for later today.

Someday soon I will hopefully have some new things sewn to post...

Sew much fall sewing for Gracie!

This top is from the cover of Ottobre - Spring 2011. It has been on my must-sew list for awhile, but living in the South, there was no need to make it for Spring. I think it makes an adorable top for Thanksgiving, though!

Patsy Aiken fabrics - esp. the knits - are some of my favorite fabrics to sew with!
Farbenmix top, Ottobre skirt - no a match, but modeled together for sake of efficiency...lol. This is Gracie's cheerleader pose.

Farbenmix's Josephin is a really cute dress - the belt was fun to make.

I love the Vida dress - this is the 3rd time I have made it! The top is a from a McCall's pattern.

Farbenmix Rachel - need to make some leggings to go with this one.

Some more fall goodies - and a winter dress!

Owl be seeing you this fall

What will the stylish four year old be wearing? Owls of course! I have been working on another outfit with an owl applique in addition to this cute top which is a perfect match to a clearance denim skirt I found at Gymboree this weekend!

I still have a big pile of Gracie clothing in progress, but I wanted to share a few of the completed pieces she has yet to model. (She wasn't feeling terribly cooperative after I got these pictures.)

Not necessarily meant to be worn together, but they are both cute in warm fall colors. The print on the top was from a scrapbag at G Street Fabrics.

All McCall's patterns & Patsy Aiken fabrics here.

...and an embroidery close-up.

I can't wait to see this one on her - the turkey turned out so cute in soft velour applique!

I have a matching yellow top in progress to this Farbenmix Vida dress.

I still have quite a bit left to sew and then we will play dress-up with Gracie!

I am officially a cool mom...

because my daughter Gracie is featured in this article at nymag.com about Street Style Outliers

The dress is from an Ottobre mag pattern!