One good thing about having a craft allowance is that it forces you to focus and plan. I'm 25 days into the year and I'm pretty proud of myself for averting so much temptation so early on, such as the 5 for $5 Simplicity deal and 50% of the notions wall at Joanns and other friend-sponsored enabling (you know who you are)! One way to keep my eyes away from temptation is to devise a plan, determine a goal and to make sure my craft allowance brings me closer to that goal, my prize if you will. As they say, keep your eye on the prize. The plan and the prize .... *drum roll* ... is a new wardrobe!
Yes, you heard me right, a wardrobe. I'm traveling to Brazil at the end of May and I decided that I wanted to sew my wardrobe (most of it) for the trip. I'm officially going to be doing my own SWAP (Sewing with a Plan). I was first turned onto this through Pattern Review's contest last year. A SWAP basically involves coming up with a wardrobe based on key garments. PR's contest this year consists 4 tops, 4 bottoms, 1 jacket or dress and 1 accessory. I am by no means entering the contest this year but I am taking inspiration from last year's winner, Eric B, and Trena, who sewed a wardrobe for her Big Fat Greek Holiday.
This is where I need your input. I need to decide what garments I need and what patterns to sew. I'll be in Brazil for two weeks and want easy to care for (but not frumpy or boring) clothes and at least one "party" dress. It will be late fall but still in the 70s or so. So this wardrobe will definitely take me right into summer when I get back. I'm currently thinking about 11 pieces, 5 tops, 3 bottoms, 2 dresses and 1 jacket. Time to weigh in folks.
Before I start, I want to let you know I'm not committed to any of these patterns yet and I'm still open to suggestions. So if you know of a fab pattern, let me know! I tend to be pretty active, so I like things I could potentially crawl around in. Not that I would crawl around in a dress, but I would crouch down and get in odd positions to take photos and things like that. Let's just say this is as much as a "leisurely relax on the beach vacation as much as it's a "let's go get dirty and explore " vacation.
Let's start with the tops, shall we? There are obviously some "doubles" so if you've have any experience with these patterns, I'd love to hear your opinions as well.
#1: McCalls 5470 - the short puff sleeve version
#2: Simplicity 3964
#3: Burda World of Fashion 5/06, 109B
#4: Burda World of Fashion 2/07, 114B
#5: Burda World of Fashion 2/08, 119B
#6: Burda World of Fashion 2/08, 122
#7: Burda World of Fashion 2/08, 123A
#8: Burda World of Fashion 2/08, 101B
#9: McCalls 5586 - either the V-neck or U-neck
#10: Simplicity 2998 - the long tank with pockets
#11: McCalls 5271 - undecided
#12: Burda World of Fashion 1/06, 116
For the bottoms, I'm thinking one pair of shorts, a pair of pants and a skirt. I'm obviously lacking in the bottoms department right now so suggestions are definitely appreciated here.
#13: Simplicity 4110 - the capris
#14: Burda World of Fashion 2/08, 121
#15: McCalls 5391 - anything but view A
#16: Burda World of Fashion 2/08, 111A
Onto the dresses. Like I said earlier, I'd like one dress to be a party/celebration dress. The other should be a casual dress.
#17: Vogue 2091 - either of the sleeveless versions
#18: Burda World of Fashion 2/08, 125 - I'm leaning to this one for my party dress
#19: Burda World of Fashion 2/08, 103A
#20: McCalls 5575 - this can definitely also double as a top, the question is banded or not>
#21: Vogue 1026 - too formal?
#22: Vogue 8468 - the sleeveless version
#23: Vogue 8470 - I'm not a big sun dress person, but I think these are fun
And lastly the jackets. I'm also lacking here too.
#24: Vogue 8208 - The short sleeve jacket. I could also do the bottoms, but if I recall correctly, they've got a higher rise.
#25: McCalls 5594 - Too fancy or heavy for Brazil?
And there you have it folks. The start of my SWAP planning. Which are definite yes's and which are the definite no's? Help me decide!
Comments (15)
wow
you have great taste I love the selection, it will be hard to pick just a few
Posted by toya | January 25, 2008 12:57 PM
Okay. I'll be back. I have to think.
Posted by sappmama | January 25, 2008 1:00 PM
I really like #2, 3, 6, 16, 18, but all the patterns you posted could be cute vacation clothes.
I'm excited to see what you do! Good luck!
Posted by Elizabeth | January 25, 2008 1:15 PM
The only one of these I've made is the Built By Wendy top (Simplicity 3964). I've made it as a top and as a dress (without the belt) and I totally love them, so comfy and breezy. Two things, though, about that pattern that you should know - 1) it is HUGE! Check the finished measurements, not the recommended size. According to the size chart, I am a 12 or 14, so that's what I made for my top and it was seriously a tent and I had to take it in a whole bunch. When I made the dress version I chose the smallest size and it was fine (although the arm holes have gotten a little tight after washing - so, yeah, prewash your fabric). 2) The short "sleeves" are sort of wing-like and very unflattering on me. For the dress version, I left them off and finished the arm holes with bias binding and I like the look much better. I plan on making another top or dress with cap sleeves.
So that's the only one I have experience with, but I also really like Vogue 8468 and McCalls 5594 (wouldn't be too heavy if you used a lighter weight fabric). I can't wait to see what you make!
Posted by Phoebe | January 25, 2008 1:15 PM
I've not made any of these patterns and it has been a while since I have made anything on the sewing machine, but just on a looks standpoint---
Definite No
#9 McCalls-very cute for someone who is expecting a baby
#11 McCalls-they all look like ones that will need to have an extra shirt underneath and just seem too saggy.
#21 of the dresses does look too formal to me as well. Nice dress, but not for playing around in.
Me like
I really like these tops #1 McCalls, #8 Burda, #12 Burda
I also think that #22 of the Vogue dress looks like a good one for walking around and moving in, but still has a cute/old-style design.
So anyway, that is my opinion on it all. Hope it helps.
Posted by Elisabeth | January 25, 2008 3:01 PM
Girl, This is hard. I've been looking at this forever and I can't decide....you did however make me look twice at a couple patterns for myself lol. I can't wait to watch your progress!
Posted by Adrienne | January 25, 2008 3:15 PM
wow, those are a lot of choices.
I've always been fond of the DKNY jersey dress pattern. I guess that one could be dressed up or down if you really wanted. #22 is cute. (so cute I'd like to sew the sleeveless version for myself too!)
The Built By Wendy Capris would be cute. I've heard that butt in that pattern can be generous.
I'm also loving #3.
Like the others, I cannot wait to watch your progress.
Posted by loriz | January 25, 2008 7:13 PM
My only comment (because I like a lot of what you did) is that you'll be more than okay with just three bottoms.
Personally, I don't love M5586 and M5581. But, I also haven't seen them made up.
I think everything else is great!
Posted by Cidell | January 26, 2008 4:18 AM
I was going to try to be scientific and calculated some kinda way, but that would take me 50 years, so my approach is *I don't know fashion, but I know what I like.*
Here are the standouts, based on the views you've selected:
YES
1 -- cute, comfy, love it
2 -- the white is so pretty
5 -- great for samba dancing, or whatever they do in Brazil
13 -- I'm a fan of the capri, esp for a tropical vacay
17 -- love the first one, very flattering neckline, reminds me of the dress in Miyake V2556, a pattern I have adored forever
18 -- stylish and fun
22 -- love this, one of my new faves
NO
7 -- too clearance Ross Dress for Less
8 -- too much going on in one garment
9 -- only no if you bust out a Bedazzler or a stud machine
11 -- boring
12 -- too office-y
15 -- do not go blind or crazy and accidentally make view A!
21 -- yes, too formal (save for a wedding)
24 -- Doesn't quite seem to go with the rest of your choices
25 -- cute, but more shopping on 5th Ave than Brazilian vacation
Hope my two cents help! If you decide on more options, post 'em. :)
Posted by sappmama | January 26, 2008 8:35 AM
Hmm, ok here we go:
Tops: 3,4,6 12 are cute and easy
Pants: like both 14 and 15
Dresses, Skirts: 22,23 sleeveless version(this could be great for a nice dinner)
I like 18 a lot too, it reminds me a little of your brown dress, and that style looks great on you.
jackets: 24 is nice, but like previous commenter said, it doesn't seem to go with the rest (it's got more of a safari feel to it)
25 looks frumpy to me, maybe it's just the yellow-green hurting my eyes, but also, the fit on the model is really bad
Posted by Steph | January 26, 2008 4:54 PM
#5, and I love all the pants options.
Also, you have won a, "You Make My Day," award on my blog. Because you do.
Posted by kim | January 27, 2008 2:18 PM
Great selection! I think you're not going to go wrong choosing any of these.
I own several of these patterns, but have only made one - the BBW top. I like it, just know that sewing the triangular center front piece will take some patience.
Can't wait to see what you choose!
Posted by christina | January 27, 2008 2:58 PM
Lovwe your choices, I've made the BBW Wendy top twice. It is huge. First time in cotton voile, beautiful, but creases in my lap. I solved the awkward inward corners of the front inset by changing the sewing order. I essentially made the inside facing an outside facing, and bound the facing raw edges with contrast cotton bias binding, rounding the corners a little. I stitched in the ditch of the binding carefully, and any lumpy corners were covered over. The second was a sheer tulle burnout knit, which I lined in something soft and woven from my stash. Tricky to handle, and a little bulky, but comfy and no creasing. Skip the wings, unless you really are an angel. I LOVE the Burda 02/08 stuff, it's the motivation I needed to renew my subscription!
Posted by Sandra B | January 27, 2008 8:54 PM
They all look great! My only suggestion would be that since you are traveling, choose patterns that would look good in knits, or one of the more substantial cottons or blends that don't wrinkle. A couple of the blouses are very cute, but it seems like they require more delicate (and wrinkle-prone) fabrics. On the other hand, you could always try linen, and just go with the wrinkles, becuase after all, wrinkles are part of the charm with linen!
Posted by betty | January 30, 2008 11:18 AM
What, me enable? I really dig 5,6,7, 13,14,15(f in particular, they look really finished), 22 (maybe without the pockets?), 24.
Posted by nova | February 1, 2008 6:28 PM