Sunday, March 16, 2014

Cool weather sewing plans

Hello readers! 

I have a very funny situation going on. Its March and normally around this time its starts to get a little chilly, but summer just wants to hang around for a bit more! Which I'm totally cool with cause I love warm weather. Luckily its not the stinking hot version that saps your energy and makes you want to eat icy-poles all day on the couch. Though I have been doing a little too much of that anyway... 

So regardless of what its like now, the cool weather will eventually come and I've got a pile of projects I plan on executing in the next 6 months. 

I have this idea that I'm going to be super productive over the colder months (like I was last year) so I've created quite a large to-sew list.

Would you like to see? 


The first project I'm thinking of is this pinafore dress and blouse combination. The pattern is a bit too big so I'll need to make a muslin first. The tweed will be for the pinny and that vintage paisley will be the blouse. 

Interesting story, when the paisley arrived from Etsy it stank terribly of cigarette! I left it outside to air and over night it drizzled. I went out to check it in the morning and found that the dye had run! So I took it inside and started rinsing it in the laundry sink. As soon as water touched it, it was thick with excess dye! Lucky I didn't put it in the machine with my regular wash. It took a few wrings but it eventually all washed out, and so did the smell! 

Tweed pinafore and Paisley blouse - Simplicity 5028

Next up is the coat and dress combo that I have had on my list since last year! I've had the fabric for awhile but I was never convinced with the patterns I had chosen. 
So decided to search on Etsy for a specific pattern for a coat and dress in the correct size and this little beauty turned up. 

The coat has a standing collar which is good, because sometimes the collar facing combos confuse me and the dress has the option of a bow at the front. Though I think I'll skip that.

The fabric I actually designed myself! And you can buy it too from Spoonflower. The fabric is cotton sateen, which I plan to line as well. 

Dress and Matching coat - McCall's 8939

There's also going to be a lot of double knit sewing this winter! I discovered this year that double knit is not so great in the Aussie summer, so this will very much be at home in autumn and winter.

First up is this lovely purple fabric which I bought from The Fabric Store. I'm planning on using McCall's 2006. I was also going to use this pattern for the tweed pinafore above, but I wasn't convinced by the silhouette 

Purple knit dress - McCall's 2006

Also up, is Butterick 4518, but the lovely Norma Tullo, in a dark green knit and Buttrick 3109 in brown knit

Green knit faux double-breasted dress - Butterick 4518

Brown double knit smock style dress - Butterick 3109

Also on the pile but as yet unallocated to a pattern are these lovelies. The wool tweed as you may have already seen. The grey double knit I'd like to use it to replicate a Foale and Tuffin dress

Blue and purple tweed, Grey double knit and mystery green polyester

Their original grey wool flannel dress, had a black ruffle front with white binding. The ruffle is the same on the sleeves and also had a small box pleat at the front and back. It was designed in 1962 and was the first Foale and Tuffin dress to be featured in Vogue

Foale and Tuffin Grey Flannel dress - 1962

I also have enough of this green fabric to make a skirt. I think it may be crimplene, anyone want to take a guess?


And lastly, a dress which I may save till the end to be sewn in time for Spring - Butterick 4519 by Norma Tullo made from a vibrant cotton sateen

Purple cotton sateen - Butterick 4519

So that's what's hopefully going to be coming up over the next few months. Now to actually sit down and sew them!

What have you got planned for Winter? Or the warmer months if you're in the north?

Cat xo

30 comments:

  1. Wow! What a massive and exciting list! Do you not plan on sleeping this winter? ;)

    As I was reading and drooling over this post, it struck me how you always make such good fabric decisions. My favorite is the floral sateen because it is so cheery and bright, like a nice summer day! Also, I can't wait until you make the Butterick 4518 dress (such a great silhouette) and I really hope you make the small bow to go with it (it's so darn cute!)

    Since you asked, I am currently in the midst of finishing my last colder weather item (i'm from Canada), even if winter only ends around may here. I already have a few springtime garments on my list. If I can crank a quarter of what you plan, i'd be extatic!

    Happy sewing!

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    1. Haha im already lacking sleep so ill see how i go!

      i spend way to much time staring, touching, comparing fabrics, so thanks for your comment! The purple is very much a spring fabric.

      And yes i will totally add the bow to 4518! and the buttons!

      my boss who is Canadian just moved here in August, so he is really keen to see some snow or frost or something. but sadly it only snows in a few very small parts of Australia and every man and his dog goes there, so the snow is all slushy and chopped up by the time you get there!

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  2. I'm so excited! What gorgeous fabrics and such a wonderful array of patterns. That should make the onset of winter a heck of a lot more bearable. That purple patterned material has my hear pounding! xxx

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    1. Oh gosh i hope it does! i really don't enjoy winter at all. darkness and coldness i try to sew with fun colours for winter.

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  3. Yeah, the at green looks like crimplene allright! Hurrah!
    I'm very excited; all of these patterns and fabrics you've chosen are fantasmo!!!!
    You're going to be a busy girl, and I am gagging to see the results!
    XXX

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    1. Yay! the infamous crimplene!
      I hope these projects make winter go quickly. at least ill be super stylin for the next 6 or so months!

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  4. I cannot wait to see how all of these turn out! I especially love the butterick 4518 and also the fabric you've chosen for McCall's 8939

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    1. Me too! The fabric for McCalls 8939 isnt 100% perfect and ill need to bulk it up or something. so ill have to see how i go there!

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  5. Oh the paisley. What a great choice of fabrics. I should give you the rest of my bold green fabrics.

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    1. Its lovely isn't it, and im so glad the smell went way.
      If you're offering i don't mind expanding my fabric stash even more :)

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  6. What super plans! I haven't got firm winter sewing plans yet, but I'd like to perfect a button up shirt - you'd love it, gorgeous 60's pattern, and I've plenty of wool knits and cord lurking in my stash to be made up into some pretties. And knitting - lots of knitting! :)

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    1. ooh thats a good idea! Im kind of rubbish at buttoned business type shirts so we seem to be in the same boat.
      oh and knitting! i can knit scarves and thats about it! lol. i especially like to knit with these very chunky needles i have to make loose net looking circle scarves for winter. i almost have one in every colour =)

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  7. Big project , i can't wait to see the results !
    My next plans are three wiggle dresses .
    The first one , sleeveless with a green and white striped knit fabric , the second one with 3/4 sleeves with a large collar in a navy blue knit fabric , and the third one , sleeveless with a kind of linen fabric with argyle pattern ... thick and not at all stretchy so i'm a bit worried for the last one .
    I'm looking for woollen / tweed fabric for the winter but i don't find any with a good price .

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    1. oh they all sound so lovely! i think the green and white striped one will be my favourite by the sounds of it. i had to go to fabric.com to find the tweed. they tend not to sell much of it here in Sydney because our winter is mild, though it can sometimes be cold enough for thick wool coats. so maybe try an online store?

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  8. Oh how exciting! This is such a great list! I am looking forward to seeing them all put into creation. You have chosen some really fantastic fabrics too. My very favourite of all of them is most certainly the one you designed on Spoonflower. I nearly swooned when I saw it. It will look so perfect for the coat. I love the stand up collar too. Good luck with them all!

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    1. thank you Lucy! i really hope it works. im a little worried the fabric is too soft, so i might have to be clever with stabilising it.

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  9. I love the look of all of these patterns and the fabric you picked, can't wait to see them finished and modeled.

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    1. thanks! i so wish i didnt have to work or keep house so i could do them all now! lol

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  10. Looks like a great list. Can I ask a question about the Spoonflower sateen - does it feel like pant weight sateen, thick and stable like home dec or lightweight and thin and drapey?? thanks!

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    1. I wouldn't use their sateen for tailored pants. It softens a lot over time stretches a little so any effort you spend tailoring them will be lost. It can hold a nice shape though if you'd like a soft looking pant, say for like Tessuti's Suzy pants http://www.tessuti-shop.com/products/suzy-pant-pattern-print-at-home-or-copy-shop.
      you can always get Spoonflower to send swatches out as well it you want to be able to see for yourself!

      good luck!

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  11. I love all the fabrics you picked - I didn't see that green double knit at the Remnant Warehouse otherwise I would have arm wrestled you for it! I'm hanging out for some cooler weather too

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    1. Thanks! I actually got the green knit from Lincraft! They might still sell some on their online store - it was just called Ponte de roma knit and it was about $14 p/m last winter.

      The website is down right now, otherwise id give you the link!

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  12. Wow! Can't wait to see your progress on all of these. I am yet to make my to-sew list, I'm still trying to catch up with the summer sewing. Great job on the fabric design as well!!

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    1. i never got to finish my summer list! im going to blame all the hot weather, parties and long sunny days for not having done so! haha
      The flower pattern is actually picked up from a pendant i have. ill remember to explain that in detail when i present the finished work =)

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  13. Ooh that green fabric is definitely crimplene! I'm looking forward to seeing all of your creations x

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    1. Yay! im so glad to have confirmation from you and Helga. I hope its easy to sew with

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  14. that green and purple fabric is divine. Can't wait to see all the makes.

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  15. Such cute patterns, I cannot wait to see the final results of your projects! I also hadn't heard of Spoonflower before you mentioned it here, but now I am just itching to try it out someday!

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    1. Thanks! Spoonflower are really good! You can order a swatch booklet for a few dollars so you can get an idea of what the fabric feels like like before you start ordering!

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