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

[zora]

I decided on a high waist pants pattern from Patrones magazine for my brown fabric. This gives me lots of possibilities for the hardly ever worn item and the additional item from my wardrobe. I have lots of tops I hardly ever wear because they don't look good with the low waist pants I mostly wear. I'll try to post pattern pictures later.

[Carole]

Since I plan to put my house on the market next spring, I've been up to my neck in DYI projects around the house.  Add to that my broken wrist!  I had my sewing room repainted as part of my projects and plan to have a new laminate floor laid in there.  Also, I am going to be on vacation for a week in June.  However, I am really missing my sewing and salivating over all these great plans.  So I may participate without really particpating, if you know what I mean. I didn't think I had any "orphans" until RuthieK reminded me that I have a fabulous turquoise necklace that I never wear because it doesn't go with anything.

[LauraS.]

I plan to participate and I have a beautiful skirt I bought last year and have not worn.  I'll post pics if I decide this is the orphan to work with.  The skirt has a wide dropped yoke with a gathered skirt.  The fabric is a navy blue mesh which has machine embroidery in a green turquoise/jade with some white embrodiery.  It's lined in a navy satin.  I love skirts and I especially love getting a RTW skirt for a few $$!  I have five different stash fabrics that pick up on the green turquoise.  All are woven - a silk tweed, silk/cotton blend, cotton/metallic plaid and another silk/linen. The silk tweed matches perfectly and if I have enough would make a great jacket for this skirt. But I think I only have 1.5 yards at 45".  All of the stash fabrics came from Joanne's from their clearance section during a 50% off sale.  All but one come out of their "calypso" collection.  I'll post a pic and ask for suggestions. 

laura

[RuthieK]

Here's my orphan, a fitted scoop neck beaded cardigan

I have plans for a plum and hot pink wardrobe to go with it.

[marciae]

Gorgeous sweater!! - How about navy to 'go with'??

[Carole]

Ruthie, you have such a good color (colour!) sense that I am sure you can find good matches for that perfectly beautiful sweater.  By the way, your SWAP was wonderful.

[Violet Peacock]

I plan on playing, and I might actually have time to do it (term finishes today and I dont start summer classes for 3 weeks).

No ideas yet, will have to asses my wardrobe. Tonnes of stuff I want to make and loads of pretty shoes in my closet with nothing to wear them with..

Lindsay

[LauraTS]

I think I've decided on my orphan - a pair of pants out of an indigo rayon that I made last year. They need a couple tweaks as far as fit goes, and I don't really have that much to wear with them either.  I picked up some indigo fabric for a possible jacket yesterday, and have a white and indigo knit that should make a good top. I have a partially constructed purse out of denim that could become my accessory option.

[RuthieK]

Here's my current plan for the JCC, I've called it Beautiful Berries and its inspired by an orphan beaded cardigan.
The wide leg pants from Burda WOF featured in my recent SWAP 2009 as did the cowl neck top with raglan sleeves. The boat neck top was from the wardrobe pattern I used in SWAP 2008. I've never used the skirt pattern though so there may be some tweaking to the fit.

[vtmartha]

This is great, Ruthie!  I love the sweater and think the pink will be wonderful on you.  I have the skirt pattern, yet unmade, and will be interested in seeing it made up in the stripe.

[karent]

I like this grouping Ruthie, I really like the cardigan.  I also have that skirt, cut out but not sewn, but I'm interested how you'll do in stripes as well.  I like this idea.  For once I'm not going to bite off more than I can chew, so not going to attempt to join, but I love the idea and will save it for later.  I am changing jobs and took off the month of May to dismantle my house, clear out, clean up, repair, all that.  I thought I might get some sewing done the last week, but have been approached to do some work prn and it's a good offer so I'll take it.  My new job will be so much less work, four week days, no weekends or holidays, and with the closet cleanout I'm looking at totally functional instead of packed full of things that don't fit or don't work.  I'm moving all orphans to another closet, and they can only come back to "main" closet once part of a grouping, and I'll use this idea to do that.  I think it's brilliant.  May take the rest of my life to clean up the orphans, but I have the stash..  Thanks for the idea.  K

[clambaby]

Ruthie you are a genius with colour, too many of us think that coordinating means all the basics are black. And Karen it sounds like you have been able to do with your house exactly what I am slowly working away at in mine. I like the orphan closet a lot, really gives you starting place for sewing additions. Think I will use this one, small add on projects work better for me than large planning attempts.

You must be really looking forward to your new job, very happy for you.

[RuthieK]

Karent, I am wondering if the stripe fabric is too lightweight to be that skirt - its ideal for heavier weight like denims, cord, cotton twill etc and I think would crease and bag a lot in the lighter fabric.
I could swap in another fabric, or keep the fabric and go with a more flowing pattern - maybe even the Loes Hinse Gore Skirt (again).
I have loads of the pants fabric (enough for skirt/pants/jacket) so maybe will use the same fabric for the Burda skirt.
I guess I could even do both and see which I like better to include in the official JCC!

[Morzel]

I'm moving all orphans to another closet, and they can only come back to "main" closet once part of a grouping, and I'll use this idea to do that.  I think it's brilliant.  May take the rest of my life to clean up the orphans, but I have the stash.. 

Karen, I love this "orphan closet" idea!! Now, if the orphan may only return to the regular closet as part of a capsule, does that mean you'll sew with an orphan in mind from now on?! Hmmh, at least those garments are not alone in that "orphanage", so even if it takes all your life, they have company...

[karent]

I don't have a giant house, but I have a guest bedroom with a walk in closet literally crammed full.  It has not only overcoats (which need a place to live, no coat closet) and some formal wear (don't need lots of that) but a lot of stuff I literally never wear.  Getting rid of that, and in it's place I'm setting up a rotating "orphan home" to be cleared out annually, if not more often.  Those things I find have no pairings can temporarily reside there, while I figure out whether they may set up housekeeping here. 

Ruthie, I downloaded that pattern (at least I think it's the same, it looks the same) and I have it cut but not sewn.  It seems that a somewhat heavy fabric, like perhaps jean weight denim, would buckle at the seamlines and not lie smoothly.  Does that make sense?  I think it would want to pull straight down by gravity.  I was thinking either something with a bit of give, or a lighter weight, would lie better.  I have it cut in a rayon print that is, I think, heavier for a rayon print and should hang straight even with the not-straight-seamlines.  And should press well, which I think is another consideration with those seamlines.  Don't know if this is sensical, but I'm interested is seeing how you do it.  K

[RuthieK]

I was wondering about putting the clothes I have worn in another room as they come back from laundry to see if I can find out what's in the wardrobe that I never wear, so I can get rid of it.  The cardigan I chose for JCC I get out and want to wear but can't find anything to wear with it (well could always do black pants and a white tee but that's too boring).

Yorkshire Lass has her colours down really well and struggles to find true orphans, but I think she's quite ruthless with stuff that's not working and its already gone.
I am not ruthless most of the time, especially with garments I made, and I do tend to wear a few favourites over and over again and leave the rest languishing.
It has warmed up enough here that the true winter stuff is too hot (wool pants, fleece jackets etc), but its not really got warm enough for linen to look sensible, so I am stuck with the between stuff, plus what can be worn with support shoes that do up with velcro straps - the shoes kill nearly every outfit  

WiAW skirts will have to be worn with flat knee high boots or support sandals LOL. I get the pretty shoes out for photo shoots and then put them away again afterwards.

What colour shoes work better with plum/berry/wine colours do you think: Black, brown or trying to pick up on the wine colour?

[RuthieK]

Ruthie, I downloaded that pattern (at least I think it's the same, it looks the same) and I have it cut but not sewn.  It seems that a somewhat heavy fabric, like perhaps jean weight denim, would buckle at the seamlines and not lie smoothly.  Does that make sense?  I think it would want to pull straight down by gravity.  I was thinking either something with a bit of give, or a lighter weight, would lie better.  I have it cut in a rayon print that is, I think, heavier for a rayon print and should hang straight even with the not-straight-seamlines.  And should press well, which I think is another consideration with those seamlines.  Don't know if this is sensical, but I'm interested is seeing how you do it.  K

Its a Burda envelope pattern no 8407. There was some discussion of it in the interesting longer skirts thread. I think people generally used denim and heavier weight fabrics and topstitched all the seams - a few people had made it, though not many reviews on PR - I think a whole sewing class had used it.

[sdBev]

I was wondering about putting the clothes I have worn in another room as they come back from laundry to see if I can find out what's in the wardrobe that I never wear, ..

I've used a couple of other methods..
  1) Hang all the hangers backwards, when you wear the garment and rehang it in the closet hang the hangers normal. Eventually you can see with a glance at the hangers,  the clothes your not using, because the backwards hung hangers stick out, visually; and you can see them no matter what place they are in your closet.  Then you evaluate the clothes on the backwards-hung hangers and decide if you want to keep the clothes or get rid of them

  2) When clothes are placed back in the closet, always hang them to one side.  I choose to always hang clothes on the left hand side of my closet.  This automatically pushes the unused clothing to the right.  After a while, I can see what clothes I'm not using and ask myself why?  Sometimes it's dressy clothing that I really don't wear much, but don't want to discard because I will need it, just not right now.  Other times though its items that don't fit well or I'm not comfortable wearing could be color or style -- those I get rid of.  Orphans, items I like but can't ever work into a decent outfit -- these I take  the time to find or make the missing piece(s) that would make a great outfit.

I use #2 the most.  It's the easiest for me and maintains itself.  I usually just "notice" that something is knocking around on the right-hand side of my closet and not being worn.  I sew constantly, so it's a simple matter for me to notice the unworn item and make sewing plans.  Might take me a couple of weeks to get the actual sewing done.

[Violet Peacock]

I'm thinking of using a denim skirt I have as my wardrobe orphan and building a set around that.



I still love some of the things I was going to sew for the SWAP as I wanted that to incorperate denim and vintage so thinking of



Possible the one shown on this pattern in blue..not sure



Havent decided anything else yet, possibly a pair of jeans

[Sergerqueen]

Ruthie-
I have made that skirt and I absolutely love it!  I made it in red,black and cream fabrics.  Instead of the fitted waist and facing, I just made it an elastic waist.  It is very eye catching and I always get a lot of compliments on it when I wear it.  It is a nice way to pull together different colors in your wardrobe.

[Jafael]

I loved doing the JCC last year! I really want to do it this year, too, since I had so much fun. Maybe I can make it fit my crazy schedule? Hopefully? I shall have to ponder, and plan, and think, but I figured I might as well put my hand up and say I'm in.

[RuthieK]

Ruthie-
I have made that skirt and I absolutely love it!  I made it in red,black and cream fabrics.  Instead of the fitted waist and facing, I just made it an elastic waist.  It is very eye catching and I always get a lot of compliments on it when I wear it.  It is a nice way to pull together different colors in your wardrobe.

What weight (thickness) were the fabric you used. Would a cotton that's almost a shirting weight be too light (thin)?

[AnnRowley]

What weight (thickness) were the fabric you used. Would a cotton that's almost a shirting weight be too light (thin)?

I've made this skirt twice, once in fine tweed, once in a thin denim.

It's quite form fitting and hugs the thighs quite closely so I suspect you'd be disappointed with the way it looks in anything much thinner than denim. I haven't kept that thin denim one that I made three years ago...

[Morzel]

Ann- too bad the thin denim one was to your liking after all - as it looks great! The topstitching is a wonderful detail. And the skirt suited you well!

I checked a german sewing board where this skirt was all the hype in 2006 and it was all made up with midweight (corduroy, denim, pantweight fabric) fabric. And the skirt looked fantastic! So I guess we will see some very pleased women at the end of JCC2! 

Sergerqueen - have you got a photo of this 3 coloured skirt? Would love to see it!

Violet peacock - that skirt looks great! You definitely need something to wear it with. The two tops look great, both the same shillouette... This will be wonderful!

sdBev - I really like method #1 - that is soo easy to do and I can still have my clothes sorted by type (skirts, pants, cardis, blouses, dresses). Great idea!!

[Carole]

I haven't kept that thin denim one that I made three years ago...

  I loved the skirt with the topstitching.  Did you use a twin needle?  I must be at least three years behind the fashion curve.  Of course I also love the tweed version.

[Sergerqueen]

I used two light to medium weight poly silkies and a black ottoman knit that had some heft to it.  I do think you can get away with a lighter weight fabric if it is mixed in with heavier weights.  You just want the end product to have a little bit of weight to it so it hangs well.  I will see if I can get a photo posted today.

[RuthieK]

I don't think the shirting is suitable for that skirt at all then, so that part of the JCC is scrapped. The cotton linen mix is as thick as a fine denim so I might give it a try in that.
Although I also have a heavyweight knit without much stretch in a dark plum (slightly darker than the cardigan). That could be quite nice in a shaped skirt as it has good weight and drape. And hopefully the knit would not crease too badly when sitting etc.

I loved that pattern as soon as it came out Eva, though I never managed to make it up. I did cut out the pattern pieces, but at one of the larger sizes. Its sad that I am years behind the curve on these fashions! I bet its nice with boots in the winter - not quite the thing for a June Capsule though.
I think we'll have to watch this space on the skirt then and I might change my mind.

Anne they are lovely skirts - I especially like the tweed one. Why did you give the denim one away?

[MrsGalihad]

I'm going to join in and I will use this as my orphan:

I used to have a white T to go with it but that got grungy.  The fabric is a true hand made Batik from Indonesia.  It was a gift from my Uncle to my mother and is older than I am.  Here is a better shot of the colors.  I need to find something to coordinate with it but I don't think that gold would be good near my face. 
My capsule is going to fill in some holes in my summer wardrobe.  I want to make clothes that are both nicer than casual and appropriate for hiking (meaning no cotton).  I have some nice nylon for a pair of shorts and a skirt so I just need to find some fabric for tops.  Who carries nice, drapey poly and/or rayon solids?  I suppose light weight wool knits would work too.

[ejvc]

Great plans, everyone!  I haven't posted here for a little bit because my mojo appears to have drained out... so I stopped in my tracks with a pair of trousers and a shirt half-done, and instead have been doing some hand-sewing.  I have a great little book called The Mary Frances Sewing Book, issued 1913 originally but republished by Lacis in the late 90s, about a little girl (Mary Frances) who gets instruction from the Thimble People in how to sew by creating a complete dolly wardrobe.  I'm working through the lessons - you'd think I'd know them all since I am a grown-up who's been sewing for years -- but no.  I've learned about overhanding, learned a new and better buttonhole stitch, learned how to hemstitch, and transferred a design to fabric with nothing but lead pencil and tracing paper.  I'm just about to stitch some lace on a hanky and fell the ends, also something I haven't done.  So I am enjoying myself but am in no way productive.

Now I have had some very kind offers for prizes from members which I shall ALSO put in a separate thread.  Donors, you may wish these to be for a special thing or you may confirm to me that you want them for the Grand Prize winner:

From kitnrose: "a small spa giftbag from my etsy shop (cherry lime) including a buckwheat heat therapy pack, cloth case for pack, and a couple other goodies."

From Marji: "one of the coveted Bishop Method Sewing books" -- she promises a picture of said coveted item! 

From an anonymous donor: one hundred dollars!

Donors, as it stands now you will be able to participate, but not to vote for your favourite capsule.  Good luck and thank you!

[RuthieK]

Oh WOW how cool is that!

Qn: Does the JCC need to have an accessory? So if my orphan is a cardi, does that mean I have to make the accessory. Is beaded jewellery OK?

[Marji]

First, I'm happy to donate to the prize pool. But why does that mean I can't vote? I can still sew, and I can donate to the prize pool, but I can't vote? 

I'm going to be in town 15 days in the month of June, so I'm really hoping that I'll be able to get the planned sewing done.

The Bishop Books,

From the left: The original, c 1959; the revised edition c 1966; the Bicentennial Edition, c1974

I'm going to donate all 3, to go to 3 separate recipients.

Edit to add:
To determine the recipients, everyone who finishes the JCC2 who wants one should state that they'd like their name added to the drawing for the books, and then I'll use a random name generator (they're all over the internet) to choose the winners. When you finish your 4 items drop me a message using the PM message link here that you want your name added to the drawing, OR state it on the board here. I prefer the PM route, just in case I miss your name if it's buried in the messages. I know that not everyone is going to be interested in owning one, and some will really want one, so I don't think it's a prize that we want to make for a "place winner".

[AnnRowley]

Ann they are lovely skirts - I especially like the tweed one. Why did you give the denim one away?

I'm wondering how to put this tactfully...   This is an old pattern: I haven't kept it, but 5 or 6 years at least I think, and last summer the skirt just looked "wrong"!  Certainly too long and impossible to shorten satisfactorily and I just didn't feel happy in it.
I did keep the tweed one thinking that it would still be fine with boots;  but it wasn't and it will join the charity shop bag when I do my seasonal clear out in a couple of weeks...

You did ask. 

Edited to add

How lovely to have the extra prizes - what a generous lot you are!

[RuthieK]

Ann  I did ask didn't I! 
Well it gave me a chuckle. I am seriously behind the fashion curve then because I still love it.
I do think it looked nicest in the tweed, so maybe I'll save it to the winter and make it up in something heavier then.

I've been exploring skirt shapes for a while because so many look terrible on me - my excess weight is all in the butt and thigh which makes bottoms hard.

If I use the stripe fabric I'll have to have a softer pattern, or perhaps I'll just make two pairs of pants.

[Morzel]

Ruthie - Susannah and Trinny have said it, and I'll repeat it here - don't go for what's fashionable, but what flatters you. EVEN if it is not in fashion at that point. Pants with flare will look better on me than skinny jeans, no matter what the fashion police says... So go for this skirt if it has the right lines for you!! It is also the fabric that makes it fashion forward...

[Marji]

Qn: Does the JCC need to have an accessory? So if my orphan is a cardi, does that mean I have to make the accessory. Is beaded jewellery OK?

Ruthie, I just re-read the rules, as I'm just making sure that my selections will meet the criteria, and thought I'd copy this here to answer your question.

As last year, the goal is to create during the month of June a co-ordinated set of 4 garments and 1 accessory, ...  Accessories include all kind of non-garment items that you might wear or carry ordinarily: jewellery, handbags, scarves, shoes (come on! you can do it!), hats, gloves, you know what I'm talking about.

Ann, You never fail to inspire. Your work is always impeccable, and it's heartening to hear that you let it go easily. I've got a few items in my closet that haven't been worn in decades, but are still there because I made them, and to me they represent milestones in my sewing. Thank you for your (very tactful) reply as to why the skirts aren't still part of your wardrobe. Certainly if you can send to the charity shop that which you no longer feel is fashionable and which you feel great wearing, then so can the rest of us.


I also just realized that before June we need to get a pic up of our "orphan". Will do that today, as it is the last day I'll have time to do it while we're still here, then I don't return until June 2.

Mrs Galihad, that is a beautiful batik fabric. How wonderful that the twist to this wardrobe is inspiring everyone to pull out some great pieces.
KarenB, I also love that beaded sweater. Can't wait to see what you come up with to wear with it.