Announcing: June Capsule Competition 2 (JCC2) - Rules and discussion thread

[cindyintampa]

May I join you?  I don't know that I will be that competitive as I haven't sewn for myself in 5 years, and I am going to have to muslin every pattern, but I really need some motivation.  I posted my orphan and fabrics on my blog. http://thesewingjournal.blogspot.com/2009/05/another-change.html I am planning on making either a necklace or bracelet to go with the capsule, as I don't have any jewelry to match. 

[Marybi]

I'm looking forward to this. I change my mind every two minutes on how to do this. However, I've ordered some sassy fabric from the Fabric Fairy, and I've selected a pair of shoes as my orphan. PJs and aprons, here I come. I'm so excited about getting back into garment sewing. This will definitely be more fun than mending the school's PE parachute.

[Janis]

My June capsule is starting to look like neutral central .  Everything is solid (except one piece), everything is safe.  Honestly, I do need to add some basics to my wardrobe, but... I dunno

[Jafael]

I finally got my orphan photo off my camera! Phew!



I'm posting entries about this on my sewing blog. The link is at the bottom of my post.

And it looks like I'll be doing my capsule entirely from stash, which means these are my colors. Most likely. I still haven't finished planning. (See what a late start I'm getting?) What I need are summer clothes, and these are the only summer fabrics in my stash, so these are they. And if these look familiar to anyone, that would be because I bought these fabrics for this contest last year! Only the clothes I made then are no longer in my closet! LOL! So it's like a brand new color is being add (back) into my wardrobe!



Happy sewing everyone! I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone's work!

[LauraTS]

Mary, great idea for an at-home capsule. I've been meaning to make a clothespin apron (that is, an apron to hold clothespins, not an apron made out of clothespins!), so I suppose I could do that and some housedresses/lounge clothes... Too many ideas, too little time!

I think I will change my orphan - I've got this skirt I got at the thrift store, black with multicolored stripes near the hem, and I really only have one top that I wear it with. I could definitely make a top or two to go with it, and another bottom that coordinates as well. The nice thing is that everything would also coordinate well with some other pieces that I cut out in May and am working on.

[ejvc]

What do you say that we make this week our prep week, like the wardrobe-in-a-week folks did.  That means I'd need to cut my new jeans (new jeans! so excited!), my cowl-neck t-shirt, and my jean shirt.  I need to find the proper pattern for the jean shirt again -- I was thinking maybe 114 from BWOF 8/2007 -- I like the western styling elements on it:

[BetsyV]

I like that shirt, Elizabeth. Are those really functioning pockets? Or just topstitching?

[ejvc]

I'm pretty sure they're functional.  They're patch pockets and then you sew the front yoke down partway.  I think.  The yoke is applied over the main front piece.  I'm wearing a similar shirt now with a contrast yoke and bands, but I think I might just trim the yoke on this for decorative effect.  I bought some great red-and-white striped silk ribbon that's a nice tie-in with my orphan (a red gingham skirt) but not too overpowering.

Elizabeth

[DeniseM]

I may have to do this. I really need shorts and summer slacks as I spend my days in jeans which get too hot. I still dress like a student. I will puruse my wardrobe for orphans but honestly I think I purged my closet when I moved in 07. I wear all my jewelry and shoes if they still fit. This gives me a goal to get back into my sewing.

[Janis]

Elizabeth, I like that top.  I love the cap sleeves.  I'm making a top that is similar, but it's not western.  However, I decided to do flat fell seams anyway, just because I like that seam finish.

I have been sewing like mad, just because I've never done a contest and I'm afraid I won't finish.  I'll be finishing up some pants today.  I was going to do the Marcy Tilton pants, but I already had the Sewing Workshop Trio patterns, so I'm doing those:



They are waaaay funky, so they will definitely be my beach pants.  At the same time, I am taking two classes.  In one class I'm making a woven top (the one that looks kinda like Elizabeth's western top, and in the other I'm making a knit top.  It's just sewing mania here, LOL.

[Violet Peacock]

I don't have a plan really, yet, I have been a bit preoccupied with other things (trying to kick start a much needed diet, etc).

I have loads and loads of orphans, so not sure what to pick. Fabric in my stash is mostly bottom weight denims and cords, in dark colours. I have some lighter grean/teals in cottons and thats it. Not sure I can make those go together well. Off to have an investigate.

Lindsay

Orphan option 1

Its a neck/collor type thing that my husband had made for me, for christmas. I love it but have no idea what kid of tops to wear it with, hence its an orphan.



Orphan option 2

I have had this necklace for at least 6/7 years and I don't think I have worn it once. Again, I'm not sure what to wear with it.



Orphan option 3

I lusted after this for 6 months, waiting for it to come on sale and finally bought it when it was reduced from $150 to $20, but dont know how to wear it.

[Carla]

I am the last person to be giving fashion advice, Lindsay, but especially the first and third of these pieces look like "statement pieces" to me and ought to be front and center of what they are worn with.  I think for that reason they need a simple backdrop, elegantly plain clothes to allow them to come to the fore.

The only exception might be the green necklace.  The colors look like the sea — all green and turquoise.  Take that for what you will.  Or ignore it. 

As you wish.   

[Violet Peacock]

Thanks, yes, they are statement-y! I think my capsule is going to be some clothes I can wear to the fashion events I keep being invited too, so that works out ok.

They are all different, hence the issue with choosing one, and what to wear with it. I think you are right about plain clothes with the 2 statement pieces. Need to have a look at my pattern stash, see what fits the bill.

[Carole]

I lusted after this for 6 months, waiting for it to come on sale and finally bought it when it was reduced from $150 to $20, but dont know how to wear it

  That third necklace is a stunner, Lindsay.  I think you should match the blue stones and make a wide V-neck top to wear with it. Adding white jeans or pants would make a perfect outfit, IMHO.

[Violet Peacock]

I lusted after this for 6 months, waiting for it to come on sale and finally bought it when it was reduced from $150 to $20, but dont know how to wear it

  That third necklace is a stunner, Lindsay.  I think you should match the blue stones and make a wide V-neck top to wear with it. Adding white jeans or pants would make a perfect outfit, IMHO.

That is a great idea, thanks. I have some white linen (I think), prob enough to do a crop pant/skirt. I have some blue..something aswell, will have to see if I can make a top with it. Thanks for the advice.

[Robin]

wow, Lindsey I love all 3 of those!  I would be similarly puzzled, so I look forward to seeing what you devise.

[Jafael]

At last, my fasion board! I've found my patterns, and my fabrics, and now I've finished my plan! I'm so excited!



I'll be quite challenged to finish, especially since I have to make muslins for all these patterns. They are all new, and my tops are always a fitting challenge. I need to learn how to do a full bust adjustment, since I've never really done one before. I'm hoping that if I just dive in, I'll figure it out as I go.

[KathrynT]

I love all the lime everyone is using!

Lindsay, I would choose the last necklace and make a plain blue and a plain dark red t-shirt or sleeveless top to pick up the colours of the stones with either a scoop neck or wide V as someone else had suggested and then make 2 plain bottoms, (pants, pencil skirt or swishy skirt) whatever suits your figure and lifestyle, in black, white or denim.  Then if you have time, a black and a white plain top as well or even a dress.  That way you have really extended your wardrobe and have a multitude of things to wear the 3rd piece with and quite a few for the 2nd necklace as well.  I have great plans for you necklaces!!! 

[Lisanne]

Jafael, there's a whole strand at Pattern Review on doing FBAs.

Also Sigrid's tutorials has several links to on-line resources.

http://sewingtutorials.blogspot.com/2008/05/pattern-alterations.html

The aim is to add length and width without changing the side seam.
Even more of a challenge with princess seams !
Best Wishes

[MaryPat]

I was planning to work on a pyjama capsule and my orphan was a pair of cropped PJ bottoms in blue and white cotton. Unfortunately I accidentally washed them with some thing red and they are now a dingy blue and washed out pink so it is back to the drawing board for me!

Lindsay- all of your orphans are beautiful! You have a lot to work with there.

[MaryOK]

Lindsay, I think either # 2 or #3 would be a great start for a summer capsule.  If you want to emphasize height and build around the vertical lines, use #2.  #3 is especially trendy right now, and you might get more wear from it while these big necklaces are so fashionable.  #2 is very classic, and could probably wait its turn a little more graciously!

[fiberfan]

I need to learn how to do a full bust adjustment, since I've never really done one before.

Debbie Cook's tutorials include FBAs on several styles including a armhole princess like 2 of your tops.

[CarolTrendall]

I just got around to reading about this.  Am I too late to join?  I have many things languishng unworn that would qualify and I have a sort of plan already in my head

[Morzel]

I would like to join also... doing some stuff that's practical for nursing. The only difficulty is the orphan - besides my maternity stuff the clothes in my closet don't fit me. I don't expect to fit into them for quite a while - the tops are too small (as I mostly made rather fitted stuff), and the bottoms will be still too tight across the belly and hip for quite a while, I guess... Still, I have two orphan things I am considering:

Teal maternity pants: I didn't really like them and wore them only once, as they wrinkle a lot - I don't like the look of all wrinkles around the front crotch from sitting, the rest being rather smooth. The colour/fabric is beautiful though. If I use this, I would have to work on them - take them apart and add a lining or underlining to prevent wrinkles.

Midblue leather bag from FOSSIL - I like it very much, but I need clothes to go with this colour.

My colour scheme will be seagreen, midblue and burgundy. Got all kinds of seegreens, lighter and darker. I will go for mostly tops, as I don't know how my belly/bottom will develop and I need tops that fit my bust and are nursing friendly. The garments will have to go with my existing maternity bottoms. And later I can add garments in the bottom weight fabric of that colour scheme.

[Hen]

Morzel, I like the teal pants, but you do not wear them because there is something "wrong" with them, not because you don't have anything to combine with them. Sure lining will help? And the bag, is it big enough to contain diapers and all those things? Just two thoughts. Otherwise you should maybe search more among neglected accessoires.

[ejvc]

Sure, CarolTrendall, please do join!  It will be fun to have you here!  Morzel, nice to see you here.  When I had Charlotte, I found I could fit back into my ordinary bottoms within about a week -- well the baggier jeans and skirts at least.  You may find the same.  Tops -- personal issue -- I don't like pulling DOWN a top to nurse, since I feel it exposes a huge expanse of neckline no matter what I put on top.  But on the other hand in the first few months I needed to *see* Charlotte nursing to help her -- now she can do it herself and my choice is a t-shirt to pull up and an overshirt to cover exposed tummy/back flesh.  I don't much like the side-opening tops because they always want to move back to the side seam and in the process separate baby's mouth from the essential area.  Just a little feedback.

Elizabeth

[DeniseM]

Debbie's FBA is the same as that found in Fit for Real People by Alto and Plestsch, but she goes much further in adding tutorials for shirred, empire waist and other tops that are now popular. It's an excellent resource and very easy to use. Thanks for the link.

[Morzel]

Thanks, Hen and Elizabeth- very good feedback. Hen, you are right, the pants are techniqually not an orphan, they are just not done right. And no, the bag is not big enough for the diaper/wipes/etc set. But right now I like to wear rather two bags, one for the money/paper stuff and one for rest (that I could then put into the pram/stroller). So I guess I will use the bag as my orphan (yeah, no need to worry about the accessory).

Elizabeth, thank you for your thoughts on nursing tops. Very valuable info about wanting to be able to see the child in the beginning - there is a bit of learning involved in nursing, I gather! So I thought about making a simple tee with a front button placket (similar to the one below) or a simple blouse for the beginning. This would leave me a bit exposed, but so be it.

I am in the making of a dress, using the midblue cotton. It is a wonderful material (a bit shiny, leftovers from Marc Aurel's clothing line); here's the sketch.

Gotta go check the rules again for my planning.

[scarletthread]

Thanks for the pic on the Blissful Babes.  This was a line that I was not familiar with and will be checking out the gallery for details that I can incorporate into my pieces.

Just a suggestion from my first round of nursing - watch the V-necks that pull across to reveal nursing openings.  In some of my previous RTW, the v-neck starts to stretch out and sag.  I'm not making this style myself, but would be sure to put some elastic into this type of neckline to help with recovery.

I am also cutting my shirts long - so if I have to wear my maternity pants for a few months like last time, then the panels are covered.  If I get into my "normal" clothes quickly, I can re-hem to a shorter length, maybe even take in the side seams for a slimmer silhouette.  Second adjustment is a little bit bigger FBA than on a normal pattern.  I'd rather have the extra ease.  If I find that I don't need it, I'll take it out when I do the winter versions of my tops.                                                                   

I'm still looking for examples of nursing shirts that are woven, so if anyone knows of a source, I'd love to check it out.  Our local store stocks only knits, and for our hot summer months, I'd rather not have to layer under a blouse.

[RuthieK]

Tomorrow I am off to Abakhan fabrics in North Wales to buy the fabrics for my Lime JCC (and other items for later in the summer).
I'm really excited to be getting into a new colour, lets hope they have lots of fabrics which will work together.

It'll be great to see how the others of you also doing lime are going to interpret the colour in fabrics and garments.

[Robin]

Eva, I never get tired of your colors.
Like others have said, we each come to our own system for nursing.  And for carrying baby paraphenalia.
I remember trying a few different things til I found what worked for me.

[zora]

I started on my jacket yesterday. I was a bit unsure which size to choose, Italian sizing is always scaring me a bit, but everything seems to work out fine.
Then today I saw this fabulous watch-strap cover tutorial and spontaneously starting sewing one for a watch I never wear. A real orphan watch back from the time when I still wore black. I ended up with two strap covers, one orange and one turquoise so now I have the accessory I need for the capsule  I only have to decide which one. I think this is the first time ever I made the accessory first.

[Janis]

Here is my first piece.  It's just the pants, the tops are RTW.  It's the Sewing Workshop Trio Pants, done up in a very thick, burlappy linen.  I love the way these turned out.  My husband thinks I'm channeling my inner Bohemian   They are super comfy and will be great for our beach vacation in July.

[MaryOK]

Janis, I love the pants AND the outfit!  What a great start!

[vtmartha]

Those look great on you, Janis!  I like the way the legs 'blouse'.