Winter Wardrobe 2009

So this might not be as interesting to me as it is to anyone else… but I spent months and months planning this out, so here we go. My inherited stash of material and patterns loomed large, and I was rapidly shedding the baby weight I had gained while pregnant with my first son. So, I pulled out the patterns whose smallest size was my current size – 16, which is roughly a ready-to-wear 12. Side note: sewing is not for the faint of heart. You have to accept the fact that the patterns are 1-2 sizes larger than what you find in the stores. Just think of it this way: clothing manufacturer fat-cats want you to spend money so they make you feel good by slapping a size 12 label on a size 16. You, however, are not a sucker. Be proud and buy patterns by your measurements! Anyway, once I pulled all the patterns that only went down to a 16, I matched fabric to them from my stash and supplemented with some patterns that go all the way from XS to XL. What emerged was a color palette and a wardrobe that was pretty functional for Atlanta winters.

• Easy McCall’s/Sew News 2351 – tank and skirt in teal double knit
• Easy McCall’s/Sew News 2350 – hooded jacket and skirt in black knit
• Simplicity 7905 – short slip dress and short sleeve overdress in black knit and black novelty sheer, respectively
• Kwik Sew 2694 – long and short-sleeve surplice tops in white knit and raspberry sweater, respectively
• Simplicity Millenium 8626 – skirt, pants and knit tunic in purple plaid on bias, purple and black double knit and burgundy sweater
• Easy McCall’s/Sew News 2348 – long jumper and unlined jacket in teal wool woven
• Kwik Sew 2184 – long sleeve rugby, extended into a dress that falls at knee, in a green-purple stripe double knit
• Kwik Sew 2966 View A – long sleeve button down in black-purple leaf print woven
• Kwik Sew 1607 View A – racing-style back swimsuit in a purple/pink print
• Kwik Sew 3206 All Views – purses made from leftover fabrics
• Rucksack – burgundy corduroy
• Simplicity 7457 – lined coat with detachable hood in burgundy wool woven
• “Shrug Your Shoulders” article in white and black double knit
• “Sew RETRO” article with green capri and tan chino