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):
- Sew blouse A.
- The next item, B, could be pants and must work with blouse A.
- 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.
- 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.
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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


What a great unintentional endless combination! Everything looks great, but that red skirt is TDF! Great job!!!
ReplyDeletewow! That’s a mini wardrobe that came up so organically .. I’m going to copy that idea .. I get too overwhelmed with too much planning and stop working on my plans, so this might work for me.?
ReplyDeleteGreat collection, btw!!!
ReplyDeleteEvery single piece looks amazing! I especially love the short jacket!
ReplyDelete