Wardrobe Planning NEUTRALS

       I have been re-thinking my approach to sewing the 6PAC (winter).  I selected  electric blue and black as my colours,  however electric blue is now where near a neutral, (yea YOU say)  So I have been thinking that I need to develop the idea of my 'grey and cream' 6PAC.

     Near us is Clarkson's Cash & Carry.  Their business is purchasing items from others business that have closed/gone bankrupt/over stocked etc. They have a huge amount of fabric .  Having stock from "Spot Light" that was water damaged in the floods for example, and  from other fabric shops that have ceased trading.

      At the moment they have some amazing fabrics that belonged to a high end tailor. (deceased) They have beautiful wools , silks and linens.  Much of this fabric is difficult to find in Aust., and I have been having a lot fun adding to my stash.

      So with the NEUTRAL colour scheme in mind I purchased 5 metres of a grey wool gabardine.  I have been thinking that I want to make pants and a long jacket.  I think this pattern is the one.

The pants look comfortable without a waist band.  (a good design for a rectangle)
Jacket falls to the thighs.... and I also like the shorter length.
I

     I am assuming that these garments will be with me for a while, should I do bound buttonholes, or is the jacket to casual?   I have the black and blue jacket almost completed.... cannot make up my mind whether to line it or to just leave it.

Winter 6PAC

I have completed two more pieces of the winter 6 PAC.  A black/white stripped  Hot Pattern T-shirt  and a black stretch jeans using this Burda Pattern.

Skinny stretch black denim jeans

The Hot Pattern T-shit and jeans

 These are really slim jeans; and have come up a little, maybe half a size too small.   I rarely "fit as I sew" , so I am sort of happy with the pattern. I think the capri length will be good for spring/summer. Especially when walking at the beach as there is always a 'rouge' wave.

Stepping up

    I need to become more  creative with the way I use the media (fabric) and notions.  When I look at RTW I love the details;  the piping, zips, combinations of textures /colours and using the fabric in unusual/creative  ways.  I need to incorporate these things into my sewing and take it to the next level.

    Selecting the right fabric for a garment is always a challenge which I think I get 'right' most of the time.  I know how select patterns for my shape and can  alter Burda patterns to fit me.   I have a big stash which I have been deliberating "growing" (trying to buy fabric that is right for me when I see it) and can 'see' opportunities to combine different fabrics/colours and textures.

     I pulled a few pieces from my closet and to look at the detail.

Seams have been overlocked/coverlocked
and turned to the right side.

This is from Country Road.
 Like the use of black piping.

This tunic has three pleats at the hem

   

     

Lucy LUVs RED

The grown-up children still delight in dressing up the dog!  Here is Lucy wearing a red boiled wool jacket,  to keep her warm on this cool winter day!

Electric Blue 6PAC

I am participating in the 6 PAC, a winter collection for me.  Just finished sewing on the buttons this morning and took the dog for a 6km walk down to Terrigal.  It is a bright sunny day about 17c.

  The shirt is The Liberty from The Sewing Workshop.  It is one of favourite patterns!
The pants are the Burda pattern and are a good basic.

                                              Thanks to my DD for taking the photos.

Electric Blue 6PAC

Jacket/cardigan.  (mistake with the stripe matching, purchased more but it was a smaller stripe)  

2x skinny pants

T-shirt and poly for a shirt (maybe use poly for lining in jacket?)

Felted blue wool for a jacket

Winter 6PAC

I am participating in the 6PAC sew along at the Stitchers Guild.    (winter for me)

To me, this is so much easier to get my head around then the SWAP.  I read the post, disappeared to the  sewing room and started arranging fabric in "6pacs".  After a few hours I had about 4 x 6PACs. This is one of the ideas.  There seemed so many new possibilities for fabric/garment selection using the 6PAC idea.

Not too sure what side to use for the jacket.

Pants.  1xskinny  and 1x dress pants

2x T-shirts

Summer 6PAC  thread started by Elizabeth

You are warmly invited to sew along with us for summer!

This thread is based on thinking that began on the Wardrobe and Capsule Planning References thread several years ago, and it has evolved since the first six-piece collection in autumn 2010 (six-piece Autumn Collection turned into 6PAC, hence the abbreviation).  Since that time some things have evolved, and some have stayed constant.  Particularly important in my thinking this year has been the writing of Nancy Nix-Rice on putting together a wardrobe.

The theory:
This sewalong is a guide to producing a BASIC wardrobe for the season you are in (summer in the northern hemisphere).  It starts one month before the season to give you time to plan ahead and have something to wear when it gets hot/cold where you are.  If you have different seasons (dry/rainy etc) you should plan for them.  

The practice:
If you sew steadily at two garments a month you'll have six ready.  The (relatively) slow place is intended to enable you to do other projects as well.  If you sew more slowly, aim for three garments.

For summer, the guidelines are:

1. jacket/cardigan/raincoat etc your best medium or light neutral colour (not too dark for summer, I think)
2.  bottom (trousers/skirt/shorts/skort/whatever) in the same colour
3. t-shirt or blouse in the same colour
[these pieces give you and INNER COLUMN and an OUTER COLUMN of a similar neutral colour - very easy to mix and match with the rest of the wardrobe, if boring to sew -- please see the spring thread for examples as this has been very successful for participants]
4. t-shirt or blouse (underlayer top) in a second neutral -- again, lighter for summer would be my advice
5. bottom in the same colour
[another INNER column]
6. a dress in a LINKING print (ie contains the neutrals together, ideally plus colour)

If you don't wear dresses (although they really are very useful for summer, and for functions, so consider it), you might find it helpful to do 1&2 outer column, medium neutral; 3&4 inner column, light neutral; 5&6 under and overlayer in colour.  



Thanks Elizabeth