by Dave | Oct 4, 2015 | Blog, Capsule, Fashion, Inspiration, Lucy's Sewing Lab
I’ve been looking at all the ways to build a wardrobe. Some will tell you Capsule Building a Fall 2015 wardrobe is the only answer. For me, I love the idea. But, what happens when I’ve sewn all my pieces? Does my machine just collect dust for the rest of the season? I found a Seasonal Shopping Plan that works on the basis of 2 or 3 of each item listed is enough.
- Sweaters, Cardigans (2 or 3)
- Tops: Sleeveless, tanks, tees, strips (2 or 3)
- Tops: Blouses, Button Downs (2 or 3)
- Shoes: Tennis Shoes, Sandals, Heels, Flats, Wedges (2 or 3)
- Skirts: A Line, Pencil, floor length (2 or 3)
- Jackets: Blazers, Jean, Wool, (2 or 3)
- Pants: Straight Leg, Skinny, Wide leg, Boot Cut (2 or 3)
- Jeans: Straight Leg, Skinny, Wide leg, Boot Cut (2 or 3)
- Accessories (2 or 3) I know this must have meant 20 or 30! 🙂
So, looking at this list and using it as a guide, you would need a total of 6 tops, 3 sweaters, 3 pair of shoes, 3 skirts, 3 jackets, 3 pair of pants, 3 pair of jeans and numerous accessories! Just kidding, she actually said 2 or 3. A total of around 24 items.
I can work with this! Although no dresses were mentioned, which is concerning for me 🙂
Overall, the first step in building a wardrobe is defining your style. I found a worksheet for this here. Art in the find has a wonderful graphic of ways to pair your clothing. I would love to share the entire library here, but I don’t think there is enough space. Please visit her page. So much to learn from her.[envira-gallery id="2183"]
[envira-gallery slug="art-in-the-park-ideas"] I included a couple of photos to tease you. Click on the title on her site and a whole library opens up!
There are so many versions on the internet to help you along your way of defining what your wardrobe should and shouldn’t be. Another website has a workbook to help you along the way. Her workbook, PERSONAL STYLE & THE PERFECT WARDROBE can be downloaded in it’s entirety by clicking on the title above.
I really like her workbook. She has questions I would never think of asking myself. For the perfect outfit she asks “What is the ensemble perfect for?” and “What are the main accessories, hair and make up variations?”
I am no where near as creative or organized as these ladies. I personally buy fabric with a vague purpose in mind. Then make something with it, say a skirt. At that point I realize I have no idea what type of top, jacket, or accessories are appropriate for said ensemble. Eventually, I get there and look good. I just don’t take a straight path like these brilliant ladies. I hope you find something useful for your own sewing here, ENJOY!
by Dave | Jul 23, 2015 | Blog, Capsule, Fashion, Lucy's Sewing Lab
It’s late, your friends are waiting, you are stressed as hell, your wardrobe is lacking! PANIC! Panic, freak out, cry, plan to be better at this whole dressing myself thing later. Later?The capsule did not work. I didn’t have time. I couldn’t stay focused on a palette that was supposed to be for me, the style wasn’t exactly me, and I’m more creative than all that. This is the anti-capsule! Capsule Snapsule!! Okay, one LAST night out wearing less than stellar clothing. Vow to fix that wardrobe problem! This is not a capsule fix. This is real life, mixing, matching, and looking fab sewing it yourself.
A client called me, in the exact situation above! I know this person pretty well. She loves leopard print, black, maroon, lace, and FUN! Okay, so here we go anyone can make those colors work together. PLUS, they work in all seasons.
Here’s what I did:
- Maroon maxi
- White lace Kimono
- Light leopard shorts
- Black mermaid maxi
- Dark Leopard midi circle skirt
- Black Kimono
- Floral top
The pieces work like this:
BOTTOM + TOP + ACCESSORIES = FAB
[envira-gallery id="1228"]
[envira-gallery slug="1228"]
Using these two charts you can get a head start. Everything matches/coordinates/whatever going both down and diagonal. So basically, without even trying very hard and using easy patterns you have an incredible wardrobe!
by Dave | May 21, 2015 | Blog, Capsule, Lucy's Sewing Lab
Capsule planning is a huge ordeal. I’ve been working on mine. I know now that in order to do capsule wardrobe planning you need to determine your body shape. I found Joy of Clothes has a great blog on finding your personal body shape. Most of this we may already know. I’ve been dressing for my shape for years and just not realizing why some things worked and others didn’t. Those things that didn’t work, required extra accessories to make them “work”. At least they looked good in my mind. 🙂 If you really want to get technical, you can also figure out your colors. I remember as a child doing this with the grown ups. Color me Beautiful was a huge book that changed a lot of peoples opinion of colors for themselves. With the wonderment of the internet, we no longer have to have a consultant visit our home. The link directs you to the quiz to determine your colors.
So, once your colors and body shape are figured out, you can get down to business. My capsule is more of the stay at home mom capsule. Even though I don’t have kids here with me 🙂 I still like to look good. My body shape is a rectangle and I’m a winter. Using these three things I was able to find patterns and colors for my wardrobe. I wasn’t sure how many pieces I needed to have, so I used a formula that will require one laundry day a week, at most! Here’s the colors I chose [envira-gallery id="738"]
[envira-gallery slug="my-colors"]
I have most of these colors in my stash of fabric, that made my choices easier. Then I decided on
SEVEN BOTTOMS
three of which are denim.
two shorts
one pants
black skirt
patterned pants (cream, brown, pink)
black and cream check pants
leopard print (I haven’t decided yet, probably cigarette pants)
FIFTEEN TOPS
I won’t bore you with all the different tops.
They all match with at least three of the bottoms
This was easier since three of my bottoms are denim 😉
THREE THROW ON AND GO
skater dress
maxi dress
jumpsuit
shift dress ***the beauty of these is they do not have to match anything else in your wardrobe!
if ( function_exists( ‘envira_gallery’ ) ) { envira_gallery( ‘741’ ); }
[envira-gallery id="750"]
[envira-gallery slug="capsule-patterns"]
I mix and match patterns that I own and garments I have already made and arrived at around 33 different outfits. I’ve been buying the same colors for my wardrobe for quite awhile though. Also keep in mind, only one of my bottoms is a print that cannot readily mix with all the solids in my wardrobe. The pink, brown, cream pants are a little limiting, but not bad. The hardest part probably is going to be throwing things away in my closet.
ENJOY!
by Dave | May 1, 2015 | Blog, Capsule, Lucy's Sewing Lab
What exactly does that mean? Capsule Wardrobe? At first, I wasn’t sure. A time capsule? And why would anyone want a time capsule wardrobe is beyond me. But actually capsule wardrobe simply means a minimalistic wardrobe. This is of great interest to me. I vowed at the beginning of the year not to buy any clothing. I’ve done incredibly well, although I did purchase a shirt my daughter designed. I don’t really count that as clothing though,it is art!
So, while researching this new idea I came to realize the wardrobes are normally about 32-37 pieces. I better get sewing! Unless I count all my shoes, maybe even one by one, I am seriously lacking. But, in theory, this sounds like a great challenge! There are various methods of creating this wardrobe. In most methods, the first step to a capsule wardrobe is to empty, yes empty, everything out of your closet. Okay, I just moved my clothing into new closet so that sounds like a pain. But, it is the first step, so guess what I’m doing today?
Possibly the easiest method I found suggested creating seven outfits from the clothing you already own. That sounds great but, to me, that already means seven bottoms. I’m not sure I have seven bottoms, so, again, I better get sewing. I found this great app though to keep track of your outfits. For me, this wardrobe plan consists of finding great sewing patterns that are versatile.
So far, I use all the patterns in the photo above. The pants/shorts pattern has supplied me with two pair of pants and two shorts. The skirt pattern I’ve used once and I’ve made two of those dresses. I just love the jacket though. I need to make that as well. I guess I really only need to make one more bottom. I have more clothing than I thought. I bet you do too. Really this concept is much easier for the seamstress. We do not have to scrounge around for clothing in stores. We can simply find four or five fabrics that work well together both in prints and solids. The most challenging part for me isn’t finding the patterns to make or the fabric for that matter. The challenge is to find the time to sew all the clothing required for a “minimalist” wardrobe. I don’t know about you, but I’m going to give it a try, I may even pick up a book or two from Amazon to help me through the struggle.
The Kindle Books are especially helpful to me. I can always find my phone or iPad to read them when needed. So, with my patterns, fabric, app, and kindle books, I am ready to get started. Look for my outfit combinations on future blogs. Most of all ENJOY!
