There are so many things I wish I knew when I Started Sewing without knowing as a beginner. I had sewn before, quite a lot. But the brain forgets in 30 years all the things you once knew, or at least some of them. So, essentially, I was once again a beginner. At least I remembered a few things like pressing while sewing. I actually did a blog on this. Here are some more articles you may find helpful: This and this one, too! The following things I really did not know or did not believe were a factor for me.
Most of all ENJOY!
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.
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!
Palazzo pants are like grown up, dressed up, sexy, yoga pants. They they look like skirts until you walk in them. I made three pair over the weekend, all of them look completely different but I used the same sloper. And by sloper I mean pants that I have and already like the fit 😉 You can find a diy Palazzo Pant Video here. They are super quick and easy to make. I used a yard of 58″ wide fabric for each pair. But, I’m short so 36″ is plenty for my size. If you need to add length a bottom contrast fabric, or waist will do the trick.
Short girls are leary of wearing that massive amount of fabric in wide legged pants. I feel they make me look taller and leaner, I’m a rectangle shape and 5’4″. Heels, horizontal stripes, and high waist fools the eye into making the shorter girl look tall. There are lots of other styling tricks that can help you out with looking taller, too.
I made mine about two – four inches from the ground, I’m not a fan of pants dragging around me all day. I love this style, I created a Pinterest Board. These are my very favorite looks from that Pinterest board so far[envira-gallery id="2066"]
[envira-gallery slug="palazzo-pants-from-pinterest-board"]
I really like how versatile palazzo pants are, they can be casual, dressy, or anything in between. I’m currently working on a pair like this. [envira-gallery id="2072"]
[envira-gallery slug="palazzo-pants-with-contrast-and-bow"]I think ultimately they are year round pants. So roomy, wearing tights underneath in the winter for warmth or wearing lightweight ones in warmer times of the year. Plus no one has to worry about the things that happen when wearing maxi skirts. To me, these pants are the best solution for people like me who love looking girly, but realize sometimes a dress or a skirt just won’t work! I hope you try making some of these of your own and share your photos with me. ENJOY!
[envira-gallery id=”3519″]Guess what? There is something new at Lucy’s Lab, you can now, follow my blog with Bloglovin! Oh my goodness, I am so excited to show you something NEW at Lucy’s Lab! [envira-gallery id="1960"]
[envira-gallery slug="1960"]Also, I’ve been gathering photos from fashion magazines and have created a photo journal. I love it! It’s a great way to skim and not have to scroll through a blog post to find some pictures to inspire you! Eventually I hope to have a lot more inspirations and tutorials for more of the clothing for fall. I’ve already described to you how to make a vest in this post [envira-gallery id="1696"]
[envira-gallery slug="fur-vest"] Personally, I cut out all the photos in the magazines that inspire me. So far I’ve destroyed one magazine and have two more magazines to go. Anyway, then I get out scissors, glue, and cardboard. Yes, I pretend I’m in grade school again! I make a collage of the things I like. Kind of a “to do” list for myself. Eventually I look through the fabrics I have and compare them to what I have on my collage. At this point I’m racking my brain thinking of how I can use the fabric. It happens, in time. I feel so wonderful wearing what everyone else wants, even better, they can’t find it in the stores even if they try.
Isn’t that why we all sew? To be unique and different? They say blue and emerald green are going to be a color combination this year. I’m stoked to find that out the same day I purchased some blue paisley for pants. I don’t wear much blue and was really fretting about what I was going to do. You know, what goes with blue? Grey and black are always safe, oh and of course another of my least favorites, red. LOL….see how my problem was growing? I hope you ENJOY the change of seasons.
I know not everyone gets super duper excited like I do, but this is a real holiday to me. September fashion mag season, the colors, the shapes, the looks, the accessories, the trends in make up, hair, shoes, it’s there! Right THERE in 700 pages! Fashion at it’s best….make it or break it time. Growing up that’s how it was. Fashion was dictated by the September fashion mag season. My grandma and I would always buy VOGUE magazine. We looked, page after page at color combinations, shapes, trends, textures, everything! This is so important for a seamstress. I can flip through this magazine, which by the way is not the one mentioned above. I subscribed to BAZAAR this year and probably will purchase at least one of the other issues. I could pick anything I wanted out of the magazine! We would then go shopping for fabric and notions. My sweet, talented grandma would make me the latest trends! I can’t wait to do this for myself! This is a blog to keep an eye on for inspiration.
What do you, my wonderful, glorious, fashion loving readers get out of this? A review, a short, a pictorial of what I took away from my first flip through the magazine.[envira-gallery id="1696"]
[envira-gallery slug="fur-vest"]
My ultimate favorite from the entire magazine. We can all own a fur vest this season. Faux fur is on sale right now at several retail and online stores. The pattern for this is basically a kimono without sleeves. You need two rectangles the same size. Cut one of them down the middle, all the way, this is the front of your vest. Put right sides together. Sew shoulder seams. Sew side seams. Then proudly wear it as much as possible. This blog has a pictorial if you need one. I am so ready to buy my purple fur and make my vest. You don’t like vests? Guess what? Fur scarves are huge this year! If you can cut the fur to the size you like best, you too can have a trendy fur scarf. Isn’t sewing wonderful?
I’m tempted to leave you here….mouth drooling wondering what else is in that magazine. But, I can’t I have to share a little more….right? [envira-gallery id="1713"]
[envira-gallery slug="not-in-mag"]This isn’t in the magazine! LOL
Too many lists of top ten by different people are in this issue. Light pink is a thing this season. I’m extremely happy. I think this is a color anyone can wear. According to the magazine, the well spent dollar is on black and white.
Black and Bleu are a thing as well as emerald and sea blue. Darker shades of red and purple as well as camel. So, as I’ve heard “pretty much any color” goes. Well, I’ll share more next time. SO much to tell you, I can’t wait. Until then, ENJOY!
[envira-gallery id="1701"]
[envira-gallery slug="web-bazaar-images"]
There seems to be something for everyone; pastels, smokey purples, dusty pinks, prints include animal prints. This year’s choice faux fur overscaled herringbone, fox, leopard, giraffe, and oh my goodness butterfly prints. Color blocking (I hope I eventually master) and mixing of prints are stand outs. Florals are huge as are black and white prints, I couldn’t be happier! Take a look at the tribal and ethnic prints below. These hand block printed cottons are perfect for this folky, tribal trend.
So much to share with you! Here’s one of my favorite sites. So much to shop for and design! I’m so excited for us all. ENJOY! More to follow, don’t think for a second this could be the end of the line. 🙂