Starting from Scratch: Color Schemes

Has anyone ever taken the time to read some of the posts on The Vivienne Files?  I've been a long time lurker and have acquired a new appreciation for how to create wardrobes.  Janice (owner and writer of TVF) has a remarkable eye for style and works some serious magic to put together the coolest outfits.

Last summer, Janice wrote a series of posts on how to build a coordinated wardrobe from scratch.  The series is titled Starting From Scratch and provides step-by-step instructions how to do this.  

I followed Sharon's (Petite and Sewing) progress through SFS and was in awe at how she was able to turn 24 garments into almost 400 outfits.  To see her final reveal, click here.

You know where this is going, right? I am going to follow the steps and build a new wardrobe of coordinating outfits using the SFS posts.  

The primary step is to pick a color scheme.  Janice suggests working with five colors:  two neutrals, two accents, and a white or cream that can be used as blouses or t-shirts.

I have a lot of black and light-to-medium grey in my stash, so those are the neutrals I'm using in this first wardrobe.  (Yeah, I plan on doing this twice!)  

At first my accents were teal and purple.  But then I thought I had too many dark colors.  So I ditched the purple and went with yellow instead.  I'll use white or off white for blouses/t-shirts.

These colors seem a little strong, but I'm going to roll with it anyway.  I'm actually excited to see how this all plays out!

Next up is step 1: a nice pair of pants in one of the primary colors.  I worked on this over the weekend and am almost finished.  The waistband is kind of wonky, so I'm thinking of taking it off and starting over.  I hope to have details soon.  It's exam time and I won't have much time to sew next week.

Until next time, peace!

L

Mini Wardrobe: Complete!

Woo hoo!  I am finished with all of the garments for my entry to the mini wardrobe contest on PR.  Normally I am unable to do this much sewing at the beginning of the semester.  Somehow, I found time to do it and am really pleased with my items.

storyboard

I am in the process of writing short summaries of the construction highlights for each item.  In the meantime, here's a link to my contest entry.  I don't usually ask for votes, but I've got no shame this time.  =)  Soooooo...vote for me!!

L

Preliminary Pictures

I am 95% complete with my garments for the mini wardrobe.  I have stalled with the silk charmeuse top.  It's completely constructed sans binding for the armholes and neckline.  I ordered some hug snug rayon seam binding and am waiting for its arrival (expected tomorrow or Thursday).  I didn't want to use cotton-poly bias tape because I thought it would be too heavy for this fabric.  But if push comes to shove, get outta my way!

In the meantime, here are a few photos of the completed garments.  I will probably take new pictures because these are so blurry.  Anyone have any tips for taking better photos?

Top:  Simplicity 2599

Hmm.  Yes, new pictures are definitely in order.  Hopefully I'll be able to finish by Saturday!  I have plans for Sunday and would really rather not wait until the last minute to submit my entry.

That's all for now.  Be well everyone.

L

6PAC #1 & Mini Wardrobe

Earlier this year, I said I wasn't going to participate in another PR contest.  However, the draw of the Mini Wardrobe challenge is relentless and I've decided to give it a go.  Fortunately, I already have a storyboard mapped out as a result of planning for the first of two (maybe three) 6PACs.

Each season, members on Stitcher's Guild host a 3-month sew along to create a wardrobe of six garments.  I've talked about this idea quite a bit here, so I won't repeat the details.  Instead, I will direct you to the active thread that contains all of the information.

I have three 6PAC plans that I'd like to sew for fall.  One plan includes traditional fall colours while the other two have much cooler hues.

6PAC#1:  brown, cream, orange
6PAC#2:  black, white, grey, magenta
6PAC#3:  grey, navy blue, white

While these plans may seem rather ambitious, I am not too worried.  The 6PAC plans are seasonal challenges so I can easily extend plans 2 and 3 into winter.

To compete in the Mini Wardrobe contest, participants are to make five items in one month.  The five items, which include two bottoms, two tops, and a key item, must coordinate to make no less than six outfits.  The fifth item can be made, purchased, or previously owned.  I've opted to stick with patterns that I made before since the time given to complete the challenge is so short.  Plus, my sewing always takes a hit with the start of school.

tentative storyboard and fabric

Simplicity 2860 (pants) - light brown wool herringbone pinstripe
I've worked out the fit on the Simplicity pants and am really pleased with how they look.  The waistband, however, has been a royal PITA; I am struggling with getting a nice finish.  More details on that in a future post.

BWOF 8-2005-102 (skirt) - light brown wool blend with metallic threads
The pattern is traced and altered.  I just need to make a muslin to ensure that I've got the length right and that I'll like the style on me.  If I don't like it, I'll resort to one of my TNT patterns and move on.

Simplicity 2599 - dark brown floral silk charmeuse
Working with silk charmeuse may be a challenge.  I've sought some tips online so that I know what to expect.  I am hesitant to try starch because I don't know if it will change the hand of the fabric.  I'll cut a small swatch, apply starch, and then machine wash it.  If the fabric holds up well, then I'll proceed with the process on the whole piece.  Otherwise, I will just have to sew slowly and carefully so as not to distort the fabric too much.

New Look 6648 - orange rayon knit with metallic threads
I've made this pattern three or four times now.  I should be able to complete this in one day.  My knit is rather thin, so I need to decide if I'm going to underline this or not.


McCall's 4923 or Simplicity 2560 (cardigan) - cream ponte knit or white rayon modal knit
I keep going back and forth with this option.  I've cut out the McCall's cardigan, but I don't know if I'll like the finished product.  The rayon-poly ponte knit has too much polyester and I just don't like how it feels.  I'll sew it up and see how it looks.  If it doesn't work out, then I can fall back on the Simplicity cardigan.

That's it for now.  I've got several projects in the mix, so I suppose I should start working!

Until next time...

L

When I say "tentative," I really mean it.

You know that wardrobe plan I posted, what, five days ago? It's on hold for now. It wasn't the colour scheme or fit that stumped me. It wasn't a faulty needle, bad interfacing, or even loss of interest. I really like the colours and fully intend to make these clothes. Want to know what tanked the plan? Not enough freakin' fabric to make the jacket! Grr... I tried several different layouts and just could not get it to work. The picture below shows the best possible layout.

The empty space is needed for the front facing. The side front piece pictured on the lower right side is just barely hanging on. I don't have enough fabric to cut out the under collar and back neck facing. There were two other pieces left, but I knew I could cut those out in a single layer. I even contemplated cutting the under collar and back neck facing out of a different fabric since no one will really be able to see it. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a fabric with the right amount of stretch (mine is a stretch cotton pique) or in a colour that was close to my fabric.

Since I want to enter the contest, I decided to forgo any further searching and move on to plan B. The garments in the next plan were on my summer sewing list anyway.

(click image to enlarge)

The patterns are:

• Simplicity 2288, view A or alternate cardigan (navy blue knit)
• Vogue 1036 (bone denim)
• Jalie 965 (gold metallic knit)
• Jalie 2908 (existing pair of jeans)
• New Look 6300 (blue, cream, gold metallic woven)
• Butterick 5612, bonus item (cornflower blue linen blend)

The motivation for this plan stems from an outing with my friends, Stephanie and Melody. One day, we met for breakfast and walked the mall afterward. During our walk, we stopped in Chico's where I saw this look. It is a simple sack dress with a zipper-front denim jacket and belt. Once I found the Butterick pattern, I knew this outfit would be in my closet this Spring!

Even though this is a complete change in plan, I think I am making good progress. I already traced, cut, and sewed a muslin of the jacket, V1036.

I cut and sewed a straight size E and find the fit to be wonderful! The sleeve cap did not have a lot of ease and pretty much eased itself with basting stitches. Before I cut into my fashion fabric, I am going to sew a quick muslin of the dress to see if the jacket hits me where I want it.

If I work really hard and plan some sewing each day, I should be able to finish the jacket and the rest of the garments by the end of the contest. The jacket is the only garment that will take the longest to make. I've made the skirt and tank top before and the knit cardigan shouldn't be that difficult.

I'll post my progress as I forge ahead!

L

Mini Wardrobe Tentative Plan

I am slowly returning to the sewing room. The first two months of 2011 were busy, to say the least. I did little to no sewing and am excited about getting my sew-jo back. The mini wardrobe contest started a few days ago on PR. The premise is the same: sew four coordinating garments in one month. The twist is that a fifth existing garment has to go along with your set. This shouldn't be a problem as I have lots of ways to work in the twist with my tentative plan. Speaking of plans...

I actually have a plan! I swore off making plans and story boards because in the past, my interest waned significantly once I started sewing. Hopefully four garments won't be too overwhelming and I'll be able to get it done in time. If not, no biggies. I am not going to pressure myself to get it done. So here is my tentative plan, subject to change at the blink of an eye, popped seam, or ill-fitting bust area.

(click image to enlarge)

Patterns (in order from upper left):

• Butterick 5328 (black stretch cotton poplin)
  
• Simplicity 2422 (coral stretch cotton pique)
  
• Jalie 965 (white rayon knit)
  
• Burda 7866 (coral rayon knit)
  
• Jalie 2908 (black stretch denim)
  
• New Look 6300 (black & white cotton print - not pictured)
  
• Christine Jonson 630 (black/gray/white knit)
  

At first I was concerned that the plan seemed too dark. Spring is usually filled with light, fresh pastels and here I am channeling Darth Vader. Oh well. I like what I have so far and I can branch off of this palette to start another collection. In fact, the coral jacket will match nicely with another cotton print that is patiently waiting to become a skirt.

I actually feel kinda good about the patterns I selected. I made J965, J2908, and NL6300 multiple times. At Christine Jonson's open house last year, I was given the opportunity to try on several of her samples - including CJ630. I'll only need to shorten the skirt and drop the bust seam a bit. Burda 7866 is loose fitting and appears really easy to make. I completed the muslin for S2422 and am satisfied with the fit (more on this later). The only pattern that may take some work is B5328, so I'll work on this last. That way, if I don't get to finish at least I'll have met the contest requirements with the other garments.

I would start talking about the construction of the Simplicity jacket, but since I don't have enough freakin' fabric to cut out the jacket, I guess I'll have to wait. GRRRRRR... Don't you just hate when that happens? I have --> <-- much fabric left and it is not enough to cut the under collar or sleeve facing. I have tried several creative layouts to no avail. I may have to cut the under collar out of something else. Hopefully I can find a fabric with similar stretch and weight. Sigh.

Until next time!

L

Neopolitan Ice Cream Themed Capsule

Well, I am off and running on my first sewing goal for 2009. I have decided to create a wardrobe centered around the colours in Neopolitan ice cream. Ya know what's funny? I don't even like Neopolitan ice cream - mainly because I do not like chocolate ice cream. I *heart* chocolate, but not in ice cream (or cake even) form. Something about it just doesn't do it for me. I do, however, like the way the colours look together. Alas, my inspiration for the wardrobe!


There are a couple of fabrics that aren't pictured. Here's the storyboard:


Hmm...I don't know why the picture is blurry. I'll have to figure that out another time.

L~

Mini Wardrobe (Spring 2008)

Life, work, and fit challenges are partly to blame for my inability to complete this year's SWAP on PR. Well, at least that's the excuse I'm going with now. =) This month, PR is hosting a mini wardrobe contest and I am D.E.T.E.R.M.I.N.E.D to finish. I know...I know...I say this every time. Really, this time I will do it. My previous attempts certainly did not lack determination. I think my non-sewing life just (in)conveniently carried more weight.

Anyway, the plan is to create four garments: two bottoms and two tops.

The first top is Kwik Sew 2694 View B. I made this top last summer, but the fit was not great. It was my first time working with a knit and the top was entirely too big. Since then, I have learned a great deal through trial and error and a class. I plan to construct the top out of this really nice onion skin.

For the hem finishes, I think a rolled edge maybe with some gold metallic thread will look really nice.

The second top is Christine Jonson 426. I made this top a couple of months ago as part of a class.

I used a medium dense cotton interlock and cut a size large. The top fits great, but is a little dippy in the front. I don't mind it so much, though this is not something I can wear to work. For the wardrobe, I want to make the same top again using this criss-cross knit jersey. This time I will cut a medium since this material has considerably more stretch than the cotton interlock.

The first bottom will be made from a pseudo tried-n-true pattern, Simplicity 5259 View F. I say it is pseudo TNT because a recent muslin fitting showed me that it does not fit like it used to! I made a couple of versions of this skirt before (about 3-4 years ago), starting with a size 18. When I sewed it up, the 18 ended up being way too large. Taking a larger seam allowance was the easy remedy. I made a quick muslin just to check the fit and whoa! The 18 is almost tight! When the hell did that happen?! Ugh. More on re-fitting this puppy in a later post... I plan to make View F out of a dark tan stretch twill. Hopefully the stretch of the fabric will give me some relief!

Finally for the second bottom I will use a TNT pants pattern, Vogue 8157 View B. I made three pairs of these pants so far and am pretty comfortable with the construction. The fabric I want to use doesn't appear to have quite the same stretch as the previous pairs. So, I think the fit will definitely be different. I will use a striped stretch twill:

Based on the current pattern layout, it appears as if I will have enough of this fabric to squeeze out another pencil skirt. So if I have time, I will make another version of S5259 but view D instead. I do not know how the split will look with the stripes.

I am really excited about these four garments. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, I should be able to get these done. Also, I have found some wonderful sewing buddies, Melody and Elnora. Sewing with them has been so rewarding and productive. Thanks ladies! RSH =)

Ok. It's time for me to make some progress on these garments. I am going to finish up a project I started a couple of weeks ago, NL 6729. I started this because I was getting frustrated with fitting M5471 and I needed to feel some success. =) I traced new pattern pieces for M 5471 and performed a full bust adjustment. I already cut the pieces out of muslin and need to sew it up.

Until next time...L8A!