wardrobe planning

left: late 30s dress pattern, red rayon crepe. I plan on making this one with slightly shorter sleeves.
right: sporty 1940s skirt, black-gray wool. I’m really excited about this one; I love the shape and pockets!

While I should have been mapping out the dinner menu for the next two weeks, I spent my time daydreaming about autumn clothes instead! I desperately need to spend a few days doing serious thrifting for some things (cardigans, namely). Other items I want to make myself: mostly dresses and skirts! I’ve been shopping online for fabric for a couple weeks, probably spending too much time trying to decide what fabric to buy (I am chronically indecisive), pairing material with patterns, estimating yardage and envisioning the finished results.

left: Probably my favorite of the bunch: early 40s dress pattern, lightweight wool print. Yes, I am going to make it short sleeved. No, I am not completely crazy!
left: Late 30s jumper, dark purple twill. I have had this one for a few months and am rather excited to make it up!

These are the pieces that have been taking up my imagination the last few days! This year I’m trying to integrate more gray and purple (you can see some red sneaking in too!) into my wardrobe; two colors that I found over the past couple years to be flattering–if the right shade is selected. I never thought I could wear either, but slowly I’ve started to add more deep purple and medium gray into my wardrobe. The latter has actually been showing up more and more: from clothing to eyeshadow (you would not believe how my favorite MAC gray shadow makes my eyes look really blue!). So I’m kind of eager to see how I can slip gray into my daily wardrobe. I think too, that it is a nice alternative to black, which I have way too much of in my closet–a variation is called for!

I just ordered these fabrics and am sitting on pins and needles that they look just as spectacular in person as they do on screen (ordering fabric can always be such a toss up. Alas, since I don’t have any great fabric stores nearby, this is the only alternative!). Until they arrive, I’ll be sitting by the mailbox with baited breath…

Posted on October 26th, 2009 to sewing.
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25 lovely thoughts to “wardrobe planning”

Karin says:
October 26th, 2009 at 7:38 am

I think you made some wonderful choices. I love the dresses in this style. I can’t wait to see the finished results!

Ps. I love you blog. Found it a couple of days ago and I’ll be definately comming back!

Sal says:
October 26th, 2009 at 9:00 am

I’m sure they’ll be even more fantastic than you could imagine. That first dress will look smashing in red!

Marmielu says:
October 26th, 2009 at 9:17 am

Fun stuff! I like the two dress choices. Hope I get to see some of it.
Mom

Catherine says:
October 26th, 2009 at 9:22 am

Your ideas are positively wonderful! I think the skirt is my favorite. I can’t wait to see how they all turn out though!

Gertie says:
October 26th, 2009 at 9:24 am

Ooh, I love the floral wool! It’s so hard to find good wool prints. I have some fab polka dot wool in my stash that’s screaming to be made into a dress . . .

Kate says:
October 26th, 2009 at 9:40 am

I love that first 30′s dress pattern SO much! Good choice!

Lauren says:
October 26th, 2009 at 10:04 am

I just love those dresses! I’m trying to improve my sewing skills so I can start making some of my own clothes, but it’s not going so well so far. You make such beautiful things! I hope you will show us when these dresses are completed.

Genevieve says:
October 26th, 2009 at 11:12 am

I just wanted to say I LOVE that floral wool. For someone with no good brick and mortar fabric stores around, you’ve come up with some beautiful choices and I can’t wait to see the final products! Fall is such a great time for clothes.

Sydney says:
October 26th, 2009 at 1:23 pm

Great Patterns! Fall fashion and colors are so much fun to style!

XOXO,
Syd Divine

reilly says:
October 26th, 2009 at 1:47 pm

These are all going to be so, so great! I especially love the last two – the row of buttons on the dress and that jumper! I just love any jumper. The fabrics you picked out are perfect for everything as well. And.. okay, okay, is that a zipper up the front of the first dress?! So awesome.

I hope that was a disdain for long sleeves I caught in this post, lol. Even though I probably shouldn’t feel that way since I am about to experience a Virginia winter in all its ‘glory’.

I hope the fabrics aren’t a disappointment!

Andrea says:
October 26th, 2009 at 3:01 pm

I can’t wait to see these in the flesh (as it were)!

Amy says:
October 26th, 2009 at 3:23 pm

Casey, your plans look wonderful! I can’t wait to see them made up. Where did you purchase the fabrics?

Megan says:
October 26th, 2009 at 3:46 pm

Gorgeous!!! Looking forward to seeing the end results

Jennifer says:
October 26th, 2009 at 4:36 pm

Isn’t it frustrating to have to order EVERYTHING online? I’m afraid I’ll have to do this eventually if I want any unique yarn. I rarely wear red or purple myself but I love gray!

Quincy says:
October 26th, 2009 at 4:49 pm

I love every outfit! I’m getting more and more into making my own dresses from vintage patterns. If I can’t find dresses already make, why not make my own! I can’t wait to see what you do! )

Christina Thompson says:
October 26th, 2009 at 6:09 pm

I can’t wait to see how they turn out! I wish I knew how to sew.

Rosie says:
October 26th, 2009 at 7:18 pm

I can’t wait to see the result!!!

Mel says:
October 26th, 2009 at 7:47 pm

Wow I love the patterns and fabrics you chose! They’re such great inspiration; I think I might try to make something like that!

Esz says:
October 26th, 2009 at 8:33 pm

Grey is a really nice colour – I made a conscious effort to wear more of it recently too. Its just as versatile as black but since you can choose different shades of it, it’s even better.

Love all those patterns too! They will turn into great dresses

jen says:
October 26th, 2009 at 9:05 pm

i adore that late 30s jumper. what is it about jumpers that is so cute?!! i’ve been wanting to make one for myself as well. i can’t wait to see what you start!

Kyl says:
October 26th, 2009 at 10:35 pm

So…. do tell, what is your fav MAC grey??? The rest of us blue-eyed gals want to know!

Nem says:
October 27th, 2009 at 5:44 am

I love the 40s dress, it’s so pretty.

Nadja says:
October 27th, 2009 at 9:12 am

Of course you are NOT crazy! Woolclothes do not need to have long sleeves! You will keep warm enough while you look just faboulus
Mabey I´ll copy you! But rigth now I´m waiting for some cotton twill to make swingpants of!
Looking forward to se results!!

Lizzy says:
October 28th, 2009 at 10:14 am

All these pieces look so amazing! I really love that 40s dress pattern that you are going to make with the floral fabric. All your fabric choices look so great. I can’t wait to see the finished pieces, I know they’ll make me envious that I haven’t the skill to make anything myself that good.

Heidi says:
November 4th, 2009 at 10:45 pm

I have hazel eyes and grey makeup makes them look REALLY green. I love how you can get a really non-harsh smokey look with it.

Thank you ever so much for taking time to share your comment! Although I try to answer questions, I am not always able to respond to each comment individually. But please know that I appreciate from the bottom of my heart every comment I receive!