December Sewing Plans

Given that December has already started, sewing plans for this month are going to have to be short and sweet...

I've already given up on sewing any gifts - too much to do, left too late. I am still handmaking some gifts, just not sewing them...

Onto the sewing list:

1) A new dress for Erin - to be worn on The Annual Girls' Day Out

Comes complete with tulle petticoat!

2) A new dress for me - to be worn to my work Christmas party, the Girls' Day Out and then to work next year. I have plans for several of these dresses. I already have all the fabric pulled. The one I need for Tuesday is cut out and just needs to be sewn up!

Other Winter Plans

Of course, tops and jackets aren't the only thing my wardrobe is in need of. While I've got a good pair of jeans and a pair of black pants, I really need some more. I've been working on getting the Marrakesh pants fitted and have a piece of beige fabric selected to make them from.

I've made the Burda Plus pants before, so I'm happy to make those up again (probably in a dark brown). I'm keen to give the Jalie jeans and the Simplicity pants a go. I've also got this idea in my head that I might start wearing leggings with a tunic and flat shoes. I don't know - I've never sported that look before, but I'd like to give it a go. It seems like a comfortable (but still presentable) way to dress when I'm going up to the school to pick DD up.
I've got a few pieces of knit fabrics that I'd like to make dresses out of. I'm keen to try the New Look pattern, but the Burda Plus dress also looks intriguing. I LOVE the look of that skirt. I've got a tall pair of black boots to wear with it, but I'm not sure whether I'll get around to it this winter. Still, it's in front of my eyes now, so it may happen.

One of my colleagues wears a wrap like the one at the bottom right. It looks amazing. I've always overlooked this when I've been flicking through Burda, but I think I might give it a go when I find the right piece of fabric. I've also had my eye on that Ottobre scarf since the edition came out. I think this winter is the time...

I'm going to take an 'Endless Wardrobe' type approach so that I can add things to my wardrobe and wear them straight away.

I've got a couple of UFOs that could do with finishing now that the weather is colder. I'll intersperse the new projects with those UFOs and hopefully have a few new pieces by the end of this month.

I'll endeavour to update when I've got some photos to share.

Now to get the scissors clicking!

Winter Tops

I've got a few plans in place for some badly needed winter tops. Unfortunately, my sewing mojo seems to have left the building...

I've got a rather large stash of knits that are suitable for these patterns, so I'm just going to pick one and make it up! I've just fitted the short sleeved version of the Weekender top so I think I might draft a long sleeve pattern for it and start with that one.

Ottobre and Burda Plus have a huge selection of fabulous knit tops suitable for winter. I'm also going to need to make some of these this winter. I think I could make one of each of these and still have knits left over in my stash and I've got more coming (YIKES!). What can I say...I love sewing and wearing knits! They're easy.

I live in a warm climate so have no great need for heaps of jackets and coats. However, the dead of winter is the only time I can legitimately wear them so I'm going to make a couple of cardigans or casual jackets. I have no need in my life for very tailored jackets at this stage. The following are the patterns in my stash that I am keen to try:

January Sewing

As expected, the January Sewing Queue was out of control! (What would be new?). However, it achieved it's purpose and I have remained somewhat focused during these last 3 weeks - even with a young child at home :-)

I've managed to sew 2 (fully lined, no less!) swimsuits for DD and 1 tankini for me. Photos (not on the body) to come. This is in addition to the 2 swimsuits I sewed in the last week of December.

I've also traced, altered and muslined a t-shirt pattern. This is to base the gym t-shirts around. I've prepped all the cotton lycras I've got and I'm ready to cut them out. I'll have to wait until Feb to sew them up as I've had to take the sewing machine and overlocker/coverstitch machine in for a service and, apparently, it's going to be 2 weeks minimum before I get them back :-(

Oh well, I've got lots of other things to do while I wait for them to come home. I still have my old machines, so I can at least limp on for the next couple of weeks. Perhaps that art caddy will get done after all.