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.

January Sewing Queue: Summary

So, to sum up (as I think I've completely overwhelmed myself) my goals for January 2010 are:

1. Swimsuit (or 2) for me
2. Underwear for me
3. Swimsuit (or 2) for DD
4. Underwear for DD
5. Gym shirts for me
6. Gym shorts/Yoga pants for me
7. PJs for me
8. Boxers for DH
9. PJs for DD
10. Art Caddy for DD - UNDERWAY
11. Lunch Bags (x2) for me
12. Sequin skirts for dancing school

I'll let you know how I go. I think I've compiled an absolutely ridiculous list, but seeing as though there's no sewing police, it just doesn't matter. As long as it keeps me from wasting my sewing time, I'm good with that.

January Sewing Queue: Other Bits and Pieces

Of course, I'll be trying to sew up a few UFOs (and trying not to add any more).

Other than the swimwear, exercise wear and lingerie, there are a couple of other projects I'd like to fit into January if I get the chance...

First, I'd like to finish up this Art Caddy I'm making for DD. I finished cutting it out this morning, so I may even get it done before the New Year.

Second, I'd like to sew a couple of these lunchbags so that I get into the habit of taking my own lunch to work more often.

I bought both of these patterns from You Can Make This, along with a Weekender Bag pattern that I'm just NOT going to include in my January plans. I'm hoping to make it up in the first quarter of 2010 so I can use it as a work bag - we'll see how that pans out.

Then, I'd like to sew up a ton of the sequin circle skirts for the dancing school - just to get ahead before I go back to work.

January Sewing Queue: Lingerie and Sleepwear

Lingerie Sewing:

I don't particularly want to enter the Lingerie contest, but I am mindful of the fact that I need to be sewing up my lingerie stash. It's not doing me any good sitting in the cupboard. I've also been hoarding cute cotton/lycras to make underwear for DD. I can see a panty TNT coming up.

Again, I've just bought a Jalie pattern for underwear, so I'll be giving this a lash (for me and DD).

The Otto panty pattern worked fairly well for me, but I've also got a few other patterns floating around. The problem is that I have never seen one of them through to the TNT stage. Most of them fit pretty good, but not perfectly. I think if you're going to sew your own underwear then PERFECT fit is the goal.

In the recent Jalie pattern haul, I also acquired this shapewear pattern. I'm not sure I'll get to it this January, but it's worth including here, just in case. It doesn't look too difficult, it's just a matter of finding the time.

I also need some PJs, so they'll be in the list, too.

I've seen this made up as a nightie, which could be fun.

I've also always wanted to make this dress up as a nightie in a soft knit. Maybe the top in a knit would be cute with some matching knit boxers.

Some inspiration pictures for the sleepwear project! (I've been saving these pictures for a long time and have no idea where I have collected them from. I'm fairly sure some of them are from the Little MissMatched website, though.)

Could use one of cami patterns from Otto for the top and the Jazz pants pattern for the bottom of that one.

If I get to it, I'll make up some sleepwear for DD as well. She's covered for the minute, but is growing like a bean. I'm fairly sure she'll be OK for summer, but winter PJs will be another story. Of course, buying clothes for her is easy and inexpensive, so that's always an option.

AND, last but not least, I'll be sewing some boxers for DH. I was supposed to get to them as part of his Christmas present, but that's not going to happen, so I'll be doing those in January. Hopefully, once I've got the pattern and construction ironed out, I'll be able to sew him up a few pairs. I've got a few lengths of suitable fabric here and it would be good to use it all up. (2 of the pieces are in the first basket of target fabrics).

January Sewing Queue: Exercise Wear

As far as outfits for the gym are concerned, I'm fairly comfortable in loose shorts and t-shirts - no tight fitting garments for me! I thought I might give these patterns a go:

For the summer months, I thought I'd just use the Otto Jazz pants pattern and cut it off to shorts length. I'm planning on doing some of the Body Balance and Yoga classes so a couple of longer pair would be fine, too.

I've got a whole lot of cotton/lycra knits in stash, so I'll be using them up for the tops, however, I'm still searching for the perfect fabric for the bottoms. I want breathability, but no cling, and I also want the ability to find a consistent source.

I'm thinking about ordering some Supplex fabric (290 g/m2), hoping that will be heavy enough. The description they give is "It is naturally absorbent to keep fabrics dry, comfortable and anti-static. It also releases stubborn stains in the wash and keeps dirt in the wash water away from the fabric." Sounds perfect to me - as long as the weight is good. I'll be ordering some of that in the new year.

I'll also need to get some wider elastic - I've heard that's a good finish for the waistband. I don't have anything wide enough in stash, but that's easy to fix.