Unintentional Endless Combinations Mini Wardrobe

Pattern Review occasionally runs a contest called Endless Combinations (EC). The idea is to create a wardrobe where each subsequent garment coordinates with the previous one.

An example from the 2016 contest rules (edited for clarity): 

1. Sew blouse A.
2. The next item, B, could be pants and must work with blouse A.
3. Item C must coordinate with item B. It could be another top or a jacket. It does not have to work with item A; if it does, that's a bonus.
4. Item D must work with item C. If you made a jacket for item C, item D could be a skirt, another pair of pants, or a top.

Of all of the wardrobe plans I've tried, I've had the most success with this and the Stitcher's Guild 6PAC. One time I sewed an 11-piece wardrobe for a contest. By the time I was finished, I was SO bored with everything that I stopped sewing for a few weeks. Plus I only wore maybe 2 or 3 of those 11 garments and gave the rest away.

Here are the garments I made using this idea. I didn't start with this intention; it just fell into place.

First I made Burda 2-2005-129.

I wanted another denim chambray shirt, so I made Ottobre 5-2012-7. I used a blue/white/red gingham scrap for the undercollar and inner collar stand, cuffs, and front band. 

Not really feeling the skirt's prairie vibe, I opted for something more structured and made Burda 1-2018-121.

Thinking this would look good with a short jacket, I made Burda 4-2008-107.

Finally I completed the set with Simplicity 8606 using a red floral polyester woven from JoJo. 

Here is a collage of all the possible combinations from the five garments.

Hands down my favorite looks are in the first and last columns. I just do not like the prairie skirt! I know I said I'll wear it at least once, but...uh...I'm not so sure about that anymore. The angled stripes just aren't doing the skirt any favors. Big ol' meh!

Added bonus: three of the five garments I made are a part of my 2020 MakeNine. Woot! If I ever get that tote bag done, I will be halfway-ish through the plan. Baby steps. =)

I will write a review of the Ottobre shirt and Burda jacket next.

***

I'm working on a shirt for #Faye'sTopsThatPop sewing challenge starting on 1 Jun. The color works with some garments I made at the beginning of the year and continues the spirit of Endless Combinations.

That's all for now. Stay safe everyone.

L

Burda 1-2018-121 (polka dots skirt)

This pattern has been in queue ever since I saw Dressmaking Debacles' version. It's a high-waist skirt with pockets and pleats. LOVE!

(shirt:  Ottobre 5-2012-7) 

It's a lot of skirt for my 5-foot frame, though it is similarly shaped to my much-loved McCall's 7906.

I cut size 44, made 3/4" full seat adjustment, and subtracted 2" in length overall. I added 1" seam allowances for fit and needed it. I sewed 1.25" hem; rarely do I add a hem allowance to Burda bottoms because they're often already long enough. 

In Dressmaking Debacles' review of the pattern, she wrote:

"I used a 9" invisible zipper and made a facing instead of lining it. Once the pleats and darts were sewn, I traced the waistline onto tracing paper and then marked 2 1/4" from that line. I could have made the facing a little deeper." 

This was very helpful and a great tip! Following her suggestions, I used a 7" invisible zipper and a 3"-deep facing.

 

I was going to line it, but didn't feel like fussing with the rayon Bemberg. I also didn't feel like sewing all of those pleats or easing the waistline to fit. The fabric is only slightly see-through, so if needed I'll wear a slip.

Speaking of see-through fabric... To mark the pleats, I used yellow wax tracing paper. 

Yikes. It's very visible from the outside, though it doesn't appear to be too bad in this picture. I don't sew many white or light-colored garments for this very reason. I need to find another way to mark important features. Anyone try the Frixion pens?

 

I bought the fabric from my favorite local non-profit scrap store. When I grabbed it, I didn't have a pattern or garment in mind. But when I started sewing this blue/white/red mini wardrobe, I knew immediately that I wanted to make this skirt.

I really like this outfit! I have some red wedges and small red shoulder bag that will go perfectly. 

I finished two more items from the mini wardrobe and will post a full review next.

L