Announcing: June Capsule Contest

[xtiand]

Sue, sorry about the pink camo at Fabrix, I was sure they had it but I had also been looking at Dots and Stripes site earlier in the day.
I'm glad you got your other fabrics so it wasn't a wasted trip.
Christian

[scottiesews]

This is the start of my plan B capsule, plan A will be Hooked on Pink but if I can't find the fabric I'll be going on a Summer Holiday!
The fabrics are cotton batik, & linen / cotton blends.    Sorry, lousy photo.
The batik will be New Look 6605 view C.
The pink  Vogue 8472 jacket
The beige will be a pair of pull on elastic waist pants from an OOP Butterick that I haven't found yet!  I know I have some white embroidered cotton somewhere for another top.  That just leaves an accessory which will probably be a bag.
It wasn't a wasted journey, Christian, as you can see!

[scottiesews]

Having committed myself to this capsule has really made me take a good look at what I already have & in the case of plan B I have found I have a few tops already that will go with the jacket & with the pants, although not necessarily both together.  I have also found some silky crinkled fabric, probably polyester, that I can make into another top to go with the pants.  I am struggling with an accessory though, I was thinking a bag but do I make a large tote for holidays or a smaller bag that could go under the jacket so it isn't as obvious to pick pockets?  I don't really have any idea at this stage, or rather I have some ideas but don't know what to do!!  I'd better go fishing tomorrow to think about it all    Minus something pink but I have found the beige twill in my stash.  Just need to draft a pattern.

[Karendee]

Ruthie,

Curtains my eye! Will all the decorators who use black drapes with red roses, please stand up!!  I know you looked lovely in your skirt--so pleased with your lweight loss.

Hope all of you women have a wonderful Mothers' Day- those of you have children,pets , or just nurture someone other than yourself.! Take advantage of your time to be honored.

Karen D

[peachykeeeeen]

We are putting our house on the market and so my sewing room has to turn back into a bedroom (sob). I get to keep the one built in cupboard, one drawer unit and one bookcase for everything and the sewing machine will have to squeeze onto the desk with the computer.
Am gutted, but DH is doing something similar with his stuff to move his pinball machine out of the living room (yes I know I know) so I've gotta play ball.
Maybe I should decide NOW what I am going to sew in June and put the rest into storage (offsite). Hopefully by then we will have an offer and just be waiting for the paperwork to go through......

I had to give up my sewing room to a storage room while we were preparing for the birth of our son (his room was originally our storage room, so all that junk had to go somewhere!). Since Andrew was born, hubby and I have managed to get rid of everything we didn't need and find a new storage place for everything else, so I've had my sewing room back for about a month now!!

I'm glad that my husband isn't the only one with a pinball machine in the living room...it's too heavy to put in the upstairs loft and too valuable to put in the garage where the temperature is not controlled, so in the living room it goes. We spend most of our time in the family room anyway.

On a more topic-related note, hubby had asked if it would be possible to make the capsule for him. He wants khaki cargo shorts and 3 button-down shirts - even the no black rule wasn't an issue...he has a lot of black shirts (they are his favorite) and has actually REQUESTED color!! The only problem is with the accessory. I actually have the pattern and fabrics for all of the clothes...he has a diaper bag and baby carrier that he loves. I was thinking maybe a hat, but he likes his baseball caps and I'm not sure about making one of those...so if anyone has any suggestions of a "manly" accessory let me have it!! He is thinking of a khaki holster. If I can figure out a pattern and maybe make a test-drive in the next couple of weeks it might work! But I'm still open to any other accessory!!! I guess I could always buy his accessory, but I would like to challenge myself to make everything during the contest timeframe.

If it doesn't work out for him, then I'll go with my original plan (for me) which is a ivory/brown/aqua color scheme. I also have the patterns and fabrics already purchased for this plan as well (most was in my fabric/pattern collection already). Then, I'll just make his capsule after mine is done and I'll be able to use some of the black that I have for his shirts (I have a whole shelf dedicated to fabrics for hubby).

[ejvc]

so if anyone has any suggestions of a "manly" accessory let me have it!! He is thinking of a khaki holster.

Men's accessories that suggest themselves to me -- and here I'm thinking about the kind of things that make guy's outfit look pulled together and not just like he picked something from his tops and something from his bottoms:  shoes, belt, tie, man-bag.  Possibly a hat. Possibly a scarf (if in cold weather, which I recall is pretty rare in Reno). For RuthC - shark's tooth necklace  .  I guess if it was me, I would probably buy a great pair of summer shoes.  But if my husband wants hand-sewn clothes, he can learn to sew.  (I MAY relax this policy on occasion....)

Elizabeth

[Karrol]

Will all the decorators who use black drapes with red roses, please stand up!! 

Um . . . (stands) I have, actually! Well they were black background with enormous red cabbage roses - a chintz. I made little cafe curtains for my old kitchen. It had a black and white checkerboard floor, oak cabinets and red accessories. They were so cute! But I'm positive, Ruthie, your skirt did not look like that! 
I was at JoAnns yesterday getting stabilizers for handbags and found some very fine medium brown linen. Unfortunately what was left on the bolt was 2 peices of 1 1/8 yds each. I think I can get a short sleeved or sleeveless shirt out of it. It may or may not be part of this capsule, but I can make it later it will go with my striped linen pieces.

PeechyKeen, maybe you can buy your DD a new pair of sunglasses and that can be his accessory? I know that wouldn't be hand-made, but at least be something he'll use. Nice seeing all the colourful and summery fabrics here. Marji, I can't wait to see what you'll  do with those fabulous bright pinks.

[Karendee]

Karrol, your curtains sound lush----Mea culpa!!!

KarenD

[karent]

I too have done the giant cabbage rose drapes.  Mine are dark green in the background, and have big pink cabbage roses.  I initially had them in a living room of a previous house.  They don't go in the LR here so I have them in my sewing room.  Too dense a photo to post here (I still have not figured out how to remove pixels) but I'll stick a picture on my blog.  I don't think this would be a bad skirt myself, perhaps in their "next life."  K

[Karendee]

Karent,

You got me! Your drapes were nice and the contrast between the dark and light shades was minimal due to the clusters of flowers (not much background showing.)
Enjoyed your farmers' market shots; your wool and the flowers were beautiful.  I like the concept of sewing to introduce a season (sew summer for winter clothes.) I'm more like you and start shortly before the season/occasion. But my sewing history has been on of making simple clothes that don't require much skill or time. Hopefully, I can kick it up a notch--to quote Emeril L.

Jewelry making is really fun and expensive. Get an Ott light to see better. Semi-precious stones + sterling or 14K wire/findings really adds up. But oh how beautiful.

KarenD

[Karrol]

Well, floral curtains are definitely common, just not black and red ones, I think!  So I don't think you guys were too off base!
Just for fun, I scanned an old picture - memory is a crazy thing, I forgot they were full length! (This was about 14 years ago).
red kitchen

I did get some sewing time in yesterday, to clear up some UFO's and I put a fly front zipper in a pair of shorts. Good practice! I think today I'll narrow down my patterns so I can start prepping them. Since we can sew 1 item prior to June 1, I may start either the jacket or the pants in the next week.

[Karendee]

Karrol,

Your 14 yr. old shot of your kitchen is as up-to-date as it is lovely.

I know I need to get onto my pattern fitting and cut  out and begin my pre-June item. First, I must learn to do a storyboard and upload pictures on our site. I know we have good directions (I've printed those ) and assistance--I just need to sign up for Flicker and  get those shots up.

Karend

[Zoubida]

This thread is as captivating as I thought it would be. Wonderful display of ideas, patterns, fabrics and storyboards.

I didn't do much during the last days to prepare for the JCC. I managed to take just enough time during lunch breaks to go buy fabrics for wearable muslins as well as the patterns I need, plus some more in case I change my mind. I prepared a Plan B in case I hit a headache-pattern or I do not succeed in pattern modifications I planed initially, or I do not find the embellishements I want to use.

Oh... And I had my Pfaff tuned up, and my muslin fabric washed (one was washed 3 times because it is white and got stained by my hanging line outside, twice  I obviously need its metal parts to be changed because the metal leaves a greyish deposit on the line which stains the clothes we hang on it.

Today was busy, Mother's day! No sewing. Happy Mother's day to all mothers here.

Hopefully next week I'll be able to start on the muslins and will have enough energy to go shop for the JCC fashion fabrics and embellishements.

Have a great week all !

[ejvc]

Zoubida - you might be able to lacquer the inner parts of the pulley and save exchanging the metal parts - I think you can get lacquer at a hardware store or if all else fails there's always clear nail polish!

Elizabeth

[Zoubida]

Thanks for the tip Elizabeth. I'll look for that polish. And I have clear quick drying top-coat nail polish in case I don't find this.

Zoubida

[Marji]

I'm thinking this is the most active board right now on SG!
I just returned and can't read back far enough to find where I left off.
I can tell that voting for this might be as difficult as voting for the full Timmel SWAP. There are some awesome plans here. And many are going to end up with great capsules of clothes to wear.

Elizabeth, you really started something here.

I'm just wondering if you were going to start a flickr group where people could send their photos? That might be a fun and easy way to organize the photos, and flickr is free (for those who might not have a flickr account and just want to set one up enough to enter the garments for this contest)

my idea this morning - might not be a good one, but might be: One group set up now for progress shots, plans, storyboard, etc, then another separate group that would only contain the photos for the 4 garments for entry in the contest, to be set up closer to finish. And Elizabeth, you could tell everyone what you want the photo's to include. Will save you hours upon hours of trying to enter everyone's photos yourself.

[ejvc]

Marji, what a smart idea.  I'll sort it out and inform the board.  Thanks!

Elizabeth

[Carole]

My sweet and adorable husband who supports me in all my endeavors, has finally percolated the idea that I sew and dumped tons of shorts and jeans in my lap to alter.  I am already wondering if I can get this capsule finished, especially since I'll be gone at least a week in June...

[ejvc]

OK, anyone who wants to can go over to:  http://www.flickr.com/groups/jcc-inprogress/ where they can post pix of the in-progress shots.  Of course, you can also post them here.  I've made the group invitation-only as I am a little concerned that we might receive photo-spam on flickr (I don't know if this happens, but it seems possible).  But anyone here can request an invitation.  You need to be a member only to post, everyone can view.

A little later I will create another flickr group for the final sets of pictures.

Elizabeth

[Robin]

Elizabeth,
I wholeheartedly support  Marji's suggestion to make the mechanics of posting pictures as "self-serve" as possible.  Of course, I have no clue how to do what was suggested, but I'll learn along with the rest of you.

With any luck I will have my new sewing nook set up before June 1.
Sounds pretty do-able.

I have so much sewing stuff that it's not too hard to set up another fully functional sewing nook in the new place.

[Johanna Lu]

I just want to say that I am excited to see that Ruthc and Peachykeen are pondering menswear capsules! It will definitely make this competition even more exciting and varied. I had originally planned to do the same and enter the contest with a corduroy based capsule for my boyfriend, but I just had to realize that a competition would be too much of an undertaking for me in June, plus that I would have to draft the pants pattern myself since the skinny styles that he favors are nowhere to be seen among the pattern companies (by the time they catch up, it will probably be over  )   

[LauraTS]

Johanna, wasn't there a men's collection in a recent Burda, with slim-looking stuff? I'll try to find it on the website.

The flickr group/s is a good idea. I have an account, but haven't really done anything with it yet; now I'll have to figure it out!

[ClaireC]

I wore a RTW skirt to work this week which fitted again after many years. Its slightly crinkled black with dark red roses, and I think quite tasteful.
One of the guys at work who knows I sew wanted to know if I had cut up some curtains to make it, which I was not best pleased about. No-one would have black and red floral curtains!

Hi RuthieK,  silly man!!!  Remember the old saying when somesaid said something negative, "consider the source".  Be sure to add eyerolling when you repeat this to yourself.   

[ClaireC]

I just love reading what everyone is planning.  This is way too much fun.

Thank you Elizabeth for joining Carolyn in making sure I get moving.  DH is very pleased.     Thank you everyone else for your ideas and encouragement.  I have made the decision on my fabrics, but I've not finalized all the patterns.

Cherry toss:  Butterick '57 Retro dress
Red with white dots:  top
White eyelet:  Little jacket - McCalls
Denim:  skirt - Hotpatterns (maybe)

I'll go look up the pattern numbers of the 2 I've decided on and I'll post them later.  (Look Carolyn, I've made some of my decisions)   

[NancyK]

I am playing catchup here too.  So much has been posted in the few days I've been gone.  It will take me some time to read it all.

[Zoubida]

Johanna, wasn't there a men's collection in a recent Burda, with slim-looking stuff? I'll try to find it on the website.

The flickr group/s is a good idea. I have an account, but haven't really done anything with it yet; now I'll have to figure it out!

I think there are some men slim pants on one of the latest BWOF magazines. I'll have to wait until I get back home before confirming.

[Karendee]

Good to read all the recent posts. Sounds as though plans are swirling in all the sewists heads. Marji has already posted on our collective Flicker site.

I have made some fabric/pattern selections. The base of my capsule will be a  skirt or pants + jacket in brown linen from Michaels sale. Even though brown isn't a favorite of mine, this is a cocoa colored and I really love the fabric. With those 2 pieces, I'm going to make either a tan/gold linen jacket  and or/a silk (from Fabric Mart) large print item. The silk is so thin that I haven't decided whether I'll make a scarf, Ruana, or what.

My garments will be loose and unstructured, on the order of J.Jill, Eskandar, or Eileen Fisher. It is entirely too hot for lined linens in SE TN. in the summer. I will wash the linens and wear them dried only. This prewashed linen look has a relaxed look, not a wrinkled one.  (Sounds like I'm justifying not ironing.)c

Will try to master taking pictures of fabrics and uploading on Flicker this afternoon. Right now I've got 3 huge earth moving machines digging up my yard for additional septic tanks fill line.

Again, I'm enjoying all the posts connected with our JCC; this is an exciting thread.

KarenD

[lesliek]

Thank you, Marji, for suggesting the group Flickr site, and thank you, Elizabeth, for setting it up.  I'm SO, SO the Luddite and I was really worried about finding the time to figure out how to post my photos. (I never did manage that with my ill-fated SWAP 2008!)

I've still got some learning to do...but this makes it infinitely more manageable for me.

My plan, at this stage, seems so boring: beige, beige, beige.  I'm calling it, "Gotta Work All Summer!" 'cause I've used up all my holidays!  Anyway, my thinking is that a fairly conservative beige wardrobe will give me the leeway I need to indulge my penchant for slightly trashy, age-inappropriate shoes.  We'll see!

Thanks again

[scottiesews]

I've made a start on Plan B!  I have made up the beige linen / cotton into a pair of pull on pants, which are loose enough to be very comfortable.  Actually I cut them too big & had to take the side seams in.    
Next up may be the pants for Plan A , but I need to draft these first.  I figure by getting one from each plan made now I'm ready to go on June 1st with whichever plan I end up with!  Plan A will need both pants & vest drafting & Plan B will need some muslins tested so I have plenty to do this month ready for next.  I also need to work out my storyboard & get it out of my head & onto the screen.  That could be the biggest challenge.   

[cmarie12]

I'll go look up the pattern numbers of the 2 I've decided on and I'll post them later.  (Look Carolyn, I've made some of my decisions)

   

  Yeah Claire!!!! 

I on the other hand have an idea of what I want to make and no concrete fabric or pattern plans...June 1st is still 3 weeks away and I have several things I want to make in May...so as the end of the month draws near I know I will have something then!

Elizabeth - thanks for setting up the flickr account and anything that will make your job easier is fine by me.  I can at least manuever Flickr so I will be able to load my own pics up to the site!

[Zoubida]

Re slim men pants, I found it. It was on BWOF April 2008.



It looks more sporty in white.



Zoubida

[peachykeeeeen]

I have a plan!!! Hubby went shopping through my stash and found some stuff that he liked (although some of it was black, so I ordered the same fabric in other colors). He told me that now that he's a father, and approaching 30, that he should probably start dressing like a grownup. He also requested that I make matching outfits for our son (why didn't I think of that??)...SO...here is my plan!!



I'm going to make 3 retro/bowling type colorblocked shirts - like what Charlie Sheen wears on Two and a Half Men (hubby has been begging me to make him some forever). What was really funny is that he really liked the polyester poplin fabric best because of how hard he is on clothes - it's a lot more durable than other fabrics and if he ruins it it's not a big deal because the fabric is only $2.99 a yard. Definitely not my choice for a shirt fabric, but it's what they make bowling shirts from so whatever hubby wants (and it's a dream to sew, so you won't hear me complain)...I'll be using my embroidery machine on at least one of them, if not all of them. I'll also make him cargo shorts and a matching fishing-type hat from a dark khaki twill that I've had in my stash for a couple of years.

I'm going to use the remnants to make matching shirts for baby Andrew. I found a cute little romper pattern that I'm going to cut off to make it shirt length. I already had a pattern for the baby cargo pants that I'm going to shorten to make shorts to match daddy's - the only difference is I'll make Drew's shorts and hat from a remnant of khaki linen-look fabric because the twill for hubby's shorts is quite substantial.

Hence the name "Like Father, Like Son"

I'm almost done with the trial run for hubby's shirts. He has recently lost some weight and an XL fits him straight out of the envelope. The trial run is black with a dusky royal blue accent. I wanted to test-drive the polyester poplin (if only it didn't feel like cheap tablecloth fabric I might use it for my own clothes - it's wonderful to sew even if it's ravelly) and the pattern. Now I need to make a couple of new front patterns for different colorblock configurations. I'll mimick any configurations on the modified romper pattern.

I think I'm going to make the cargo shorts as my pre-June piece. I don't sew a lot of pants, but I could bust out a shirt in a day if I was really motivated.

[Lisanne]

Thanks very much for setting up the Flickr link.
But apologies that I've never set up Flickr (I am a yahoo member so that's not the problem)  -  what are we supposed to do to become a member of the Flickr group ?

thanks
Lisanne

[Johanna Lu]

Thank you for the tip on the Burda WOF-pants! They are very similar to what he likes. The only problem is that the pattern is size 48 and up and he is a skinny 44, but definitely a starting point.

[Zoubida]

...
But apologies that I've never set up Flickr (I am a yahoo member so that's not the problem)  -  what are we supposed to do to become a member of the Flickr group ?
...

Lisanne, simply click on the "create your account" button and follow directions, it's on the top right of the home page. Here's the link.

Flickr

That's a great plan you have there Peachee.