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

[Carla]

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...

What heresy!  LOL.  Perhaps this is why old patterns, at least for some of us, should never be tossed.  Often they can be updated with new colors and fabrics or a trendier second piece.  Ruthie's skirt has a vintage flavor to me, which is quite "in" at the moment even if it's not a current patttern.  [ETA: I'm rather liking this skirt myself.  Is it in the current Burda paper catalog?]

I keep wishing I could join the JCC but just haven't worked through how to fit myself yet (although I have a beautiful orphan, a new lace stole I just finished and which basically goes with nothing I already own).  Besides, my husband is supposed to have a medical procedure in June (at least we think it will be then) and I am supposed to have some very minor hand surgery quite soon.  Not such a good time, hey?  

[karent]

Carla, I downloaded that pattern not too long ago from www.sewingpatterns.com.  It is a bit of a pain to stick all the pages together, but I used patternmaking software so long I'm used to it, and I like buying the pattern and getting it right away.  Not that I necessarily SEW it right away!  K

[Carla]

Thank you, Karen.  I'll take a good look at it later.  I appreciate the tip!

[JennyAnne]

Karen,
Oh my gosh, I have never seen that site before.  This could get totally addictive for me!

[Janis]

Karen,  

Oh dear, that site could be an addiction.  It gives me a reason to get my printer fixed!

[Lisanne]

Free lownloadable patterns at

http://www.burdastyle.com/patterns

http://www.burdafashion.com/en/DOWNLOAD/Free/1333669-1413206-1597830.html

Don't forget to add seam allowances !

[sdBev]

...
Ruthie - Susannah and Trinny have said it, and I'll repeat it here - don't go for what's fashionable, but what flatters you. ...

...  Perhaps this is why old patterns, at least for some of us, should never be tossed.  ..

Now this I'd have to say is very true!  I've regretted tossing patterns that fit me perfectly, in favor of something new.  The truth of the matter is that a style that flatters you can always be adapted for current fads.  But current fads, can't always be adapted to flatter me.

[ejvc]

My friends, I hope you are gearing up, considering your poor orphaned closet lambs, and planning and plotting.  

I think maybe I will base the JCC on a red gingham skirt orphan which hangs forlornly in my closet.  Partially the reason is I have no shoes to go with it -- I need some summer sandals with a little red flower or something.  But also I somehow managed to get rid of the red in my closet - very stupid as red is a great colour for me.

I think I could make a short-sleeved light denim shirt/jacket, and some jeans - I have 2 metres of lightweight denim to hand. Then I also bought some lovely lightweight red knit in Stockholm which goes great with the skirt - so a funky knit shirt somehow with that.  And bonus!  When I hung up the skirt to look at it I notice that it goes beautifully with a red and white striped seersucker jacket I bought for a song last year and need to shorten the sleeves of.

That's two bottoms and two tops already, plus the alterations jacket.  I should also have an accessory.  Maybe it's time for a bag?

Elizabeth

ETA: Just re-read my own rules, and of course I can BUY something.  Shoes it is.

[clambaby]

I am right in the middle of the Wardrobe in a week and think I have one skirt that will fit the June capsule. To make sure I have this straight, if my orphan is a jacket, my previous made is a skirt, can I sew two dresses that go with the jacket, crops and make a bag and still fit the rules? I think so but I am feeling fuzzy this morning, too much speed sewing yesterday but a fun great day.

[ejvc]

Clambaby -- that would be within the rules, but for the *spirit* of a capsule I'd urge you to make one of your dresses something that could be a tunic over the cropped trousers (I'm assuming that's what 'crops' are -- unless you are making corn or potatoes  ) Otherwise the trousers are sort of out on their own and not part of a complete outfit, although they should still go with the jacket.   Also I think it's too many pieces -- orphan jacket, plus one previous skirt, plus crops, plus one dress = four garments plus one bag.  You have an extra dress in your plan.

As an alternative, you could swap out your previously made skirt for a top (to give a complete outfit with crops) and buy a bag or shoes. If the top also goes with your previously made skirt, so much the better!

[clambaby]

Great, I think I get this. Can I do my orphan jacket, bought shoes, a previously made skirt, two tops and a pair of cropped pants? Does that fit both the spirit and the letter of the rules? The dresses can be later stand alones, that's fine with me.

Barbara

[RuthieK]

Barbara, I'm glad its not just me that's confused! I read the rules a few times and my head hurts, though maybe some of that is a issue with being part way through the Wardrobe in a week and going to bed very late due to sewing until midnight.

I think my plan might have too many things in it. here's my latest interpretation........ (please correct if I have the wrong end of the stick)

Basically we have to have 4 garments and 1 accessory. which must include at least 1 top and at least 1 bottom. One of the items comes from your existing closet and is a widow or orphan. Can also include a purchased or previously made item.

So if my widow is a jacket where I wore out the matching pants, I could make a top, a bottom and another item to work with the jacket plus buy some new shoes which work with the whole shebang and I'm done?

I must admit I thought we had to sew 4 things and make/buy an accessory but I don't think that's what it is saying in the rules.

On that basis if my orphan is a berry beaded cardigan, I could sew pants and two tops, and make or buy a necklace and I'd be done. Is that right?

[MaryOK]

Ruthie, I can't sort out whether the completed capsule must contain 4 garments (including the orphan) plus one accessory or 5 garments (the orphan + 4 sewn garments) plus one accessory.  And what is that bit about the bonus piece? Elizabeth, could you please clarify?

I DO like it that there is flexibility about how many tops/bottoms.

This is my orphan.  It is a coral 4-ply silk skirt.  I wore the suit to a wedding several years ago, and although I've worn the jacket fairly often, I never wore the skirt again.  For the capsule I will cut it off and make a summer office wardrobe with beiges and off-whites.



edited to downsize that ginormous picture!  Thanks for the Sandbox tip, Kathryn!

[ejvc]

Basically we have to have 4 garments and 1 accessory. which must include at least 1 top and at least 1 bottom. One of the items comes from your existing closet and is a widow or orphan. Can also include a purchased or previously made item.

This is exactly right.  You already have an orphan.  You need four more items to complete your set of four garments and an accessory, one of which must be a top and one a bottom.  You may use for one of these items a purchased or previously made garment.

I'm sorry if this was confusing.  You can of course have an orphan accessory (like Marji's bag) and sew four items; but many people will get away with just making three, and use a purchased or previously made item to complete their capsule.  So make them fab! 

Elizabeth

[clambaby]

OK I am having a thick as a brick morning. To verify - one orphan which was purchased, one skirt I have made this month. One bottom, two tops and if I am reading this right my accessory needs to be made not purchased.Ejvc can you sign off on this for the organizationally challenged among us.

[scottiesews]

I'm having difficulty finding an orphan!  At least one I can fit into!!  I do have three  necklaces that I don't wear, one I do have clothes that I could wear with, the other two I was never keen on the colours but as they were handed down from my ex MIL & will eventually go to my DD, I have now decided some 20 years later that I'd like to wear them!!  So not being mad keen on blues & these are both shades of blue & blue/ green I need to think about colours that I can wear with them.  I do think plains will be better than patterns & the shape of the necklines is going to be a challenge but I'm going to start with the black pants I just made for Wiaw.  Then I need 2 tops & what else?
Just gone back & re-read the rules so my orphan is a necklace, which is also my accessory.  I have my black pants already made so I need to add 1 top, 1 bottom & probably another top, making 4 items.  Am I right?  Or has the late hour addled my brain?

[RuthieK]

I am thinking of changing my plans - its sunny and its gone to my head. The beautiful berries capsule is all based around a long sleeved cardigan and is a cool weather look really. I am wondering about breaking out into more of a summer look.

I am wanting to try lime, black and white. The only lime in my wardrobe is a necklace which also includes black but I would like to have more lime especially for summer.

New ideas
Lime/black necklace as wardrobe orphan
Black fabric with white stripes made into a flowing skirt (prob Loes Hinse Gore skirt for the millionth time)
Lime jacket - will need to buy fabric for this
Black/white knot front top - previously sewn top from the SWAP
Black pinstripe trousers in my favourite Burda WOF pattern.

The black/white items could also work in with other brights in my wardrobe once the sewing is over. (I can't wear just black/white on its own, elegant on others, lacking colour on me).

I would sew two TNTs which should be simple to do and then have time to make a muslin and fit a nice jacket. I wear jackets every day to work but some did not survive the recent wardrobe cull so this could be a great opportunity to sew a new one.

[Beebeedee]

I love lime with hyacinth blue, so was thinking of taking those as part of my colour palette, along with a deeper blue for the trousers (which is an awful lot more practical for me). I tend to use deep blue as a neutral so am happy with this choice, and have decided to make my capsule a day wear collection, to avoid it sitting in my wardrobe unused.

Orphan - a blue and green beaded necklace that I adore but never wear. It's summery and pretty and I'm just to lazy for jewellery normally apart from my wedding ring, so perhaps this will give me the kick in the pants I need. I have so much nice stuff and it never sees the light of day.

Accessory - I'm going to make myself a bag in a lime/blue/white combination, depending on what my fabric trawl comes up with.

Wide legged trousers in deep blue, possibly knit. Pattern from BOW Oct 2008. Not as deep as navy, just a deep intense but summery blue. I'm rubbish at explaining, aren't I?

Lime top - I'm thinking of a slightly fitted shirt in a cotton textured fabric but have yet to find it, or the perfect pattern (got a whole load of old Burdas to look through).

Casual jacket in hyacinth blue, perhaps lined in the lime cotton, or I might just leave it unlined and bind the seams inside in the lime. I like the idea of cotton or linen for this.

I'll work on a proper image for all of this tonight if I have time.






 

[RuthieK]

Beebeedee, doesn't that give you two accessories? You only need one plus 4 garments. If your orphan is an accessory then you don't need to make one for the JCC.

I think the blue and lime sounds lovely and fresh.

[ejvc]

Hi, clarifications:

To verify - one orphan which was purchased, one skirt I have made this month. One bottom, two tops and if I am reading this right my accessory needs to be made not purchased.Ejvc can you sign off on this for the organizationally challenged among us.

Yes --

1 garment (unspecified) (orphan)
1 bottom (purchased or previously made -- previously made in this case)
1 top - to be made
1 other garment - to be made
1 accessory - to be made
----
4 garments plus one accessory, including one orphan and one previously made/purchased item

Just gone back & re-read the rules so my orphan is a necklace, which is also my accessory.  I have my black pants already made so I need to add 1 top, 1 bottom & probably another top, making 4 items.  Am I right?  Or has the late hour addled my brain?

Yes --

1 accessory - necklace (orphan)
1 black pants  (purchased or previously made - previously made in this case)
1 top
1 bottom
1 probably another top
---
4 garments plus one accessory, including one orphan and one previously made/purchased item

[scottiesews]

Thank you Elizabeth, I'm more awake now & it makes sense!

[Beebeedee]

Beebeedee, doesn't that give you two accessories? You only need one plus 4 garments. If your orphan is an accessory then you don't need to make one for the JCC.

I think the blue and lime sounds lovely and fresh.

Ah, light dawns.

So I'm going to make two tops instead of the bag. I've got one planned in the lime, so perhaps a blue and white one (don't like white on its own on me) would work as well.

Thanks!

[zora]

1 bottom: Patrones pants in brown
1 jacket: La Mia Boutique jacket in brown
1 top: Long sleeved knit top in an orange knit jersey. I haven't decided on a pattern yet, it depends on which fabric I use.

Still working on the accessory, the orphan and the previously made/bought item.

[ejvc]

Zora, you don't HAVE to have a previously made or bought item.  It's just an option.  You could make another item.

[kitnrose]

Sounds like we have some good plans coming together!

I just got some cute fabric so I've got the start of some ideas...

Orphan: Brown dress shoes
Previous:  .... (not sure)
Make:
- Blue/brown toile skirt (got the cutest fabric!)
- Brown gathered scoop neck shirt (knit)
- Black skirt with brown embroidery
(- Pink ... sweater? Wrap? got some nice, light sweater weight material) <- if previous rtw/made item can't be found

[zora]

Zora, you don't HAVE to have a previously made or bought item.  It's just an option.  You could make another item.

To be honest, the problem is not that I don't have a previously made item, it's that I can't decide between half a dozen previously made items 

I decided on my orphan, it's a linen top with a hood in bright orange and I haven't worn it for at least 3 years.

[Robin]

I sewed this last summer and I have never worn it!


If I can find a knit fabric in a coordinating color, I would like to make a dress to wear under this.  Something slip-like.
And I need a necklace to go along with this and other tops with similar necklines.

That's my plan so far!
I think it would be pretty easy to make other coordinating pieces if I can just find what I want for the dress.

The reason I have never worn it is because it is too big.  But I tried it on again and I have worked out an alteration that will take it down quite a bit.  (I will re-sew the shoulder seam to remove a lot of excess fabric).

[Karendee]

Robin,

I've remember this top and think it a gorgeous silk print fabric. The tank dress will be a great undergarment with it. Depending on the hem length of the dress, you might try your top at different lengths to see if it's the right length. To my eye, it looks about an inch too long. Of course, you'll remedy that as you take out  excess at the shoulder , I'd say. Either way, it will be a great outfit.

Karen

[MaryAnn]

Robin, I've had great success with Loes Hinses' Tank Dress Group Pattern, both as a tank dress and a tank top--underlayer, so to speak. It's quick and easy and has a very flattering appearance. The dress needs to be in a drapey fabric for the most flattering look.

I'm thinking of joining the JCC, while I'm still working through finishing the Wardrobe in a Week. I just have to finish hems, etc., but keep getting side-tracked by starting new garments that will extend the wardrobe. It's very fun. And I cannot locate my digital camera.....

Anyway, back in February, while on a trip I splurged and treated myself to a pair of grey/silver sandals that I still haven't worn except for twice with jeans. I need some garments to go with them. They need to get out of the box, so to speak. Could they count as my orphan? If so, I'm in and I'll make pants, tank top, knit top and jacket for my 4 pieces and the sandals will be my accessory.

Thanks for listening.

[Robin]

Thanks Karen, I agree the whole thing needs to shrink.
MaryAnn- that is what I was thinking, too.  In fact, maybe I should make both a tank top and a tank dress.
I do have a dark blue jersey- but this print is more dark teal, so it's not a good match.

I guess I need to scour some online shops and get out my pantone color guide.

[xtiand]

Right, I am going to try to participate having totally failed to sew any of my SWAP items this year due to a variety of problems. My orphan item is a cream cotton cardigan which was part of a suit (skirt no longer fastens at the waist) or it could be the sky blue shoes I have just finished making which I have nothing to go with because they aren't quite the colour I thought they were. I can use some of the fabrics I had for SWAP but will use different patterns.
I'll post the details by June 1st.

[mdmcgrath]

OK, i'm impressed...you made your own shoes!  Wow!

[Sharon]

I'm with mdmcrath, xtiand - you made your own shoes  , I'm very impressed.

I really want to join in and my orphan would be this floral knit skirt I purchased a couple of months ago that needs tops to go with it.

 


Sharon

[sewzyque]

Hey!
I’m Suzanne and I usually just lurk, but I would like to sew along (or in my case play along) with the JCC.  I need something to get the mojo going again and I think this might do it.  I have a purple (mostly) floral top that I made because both my kids said that I needed more color in my wardrobe and to quit dressing so grim and somber.  I think that was there words! I really need something to wear with this besides my usual black, grey, or brown.  I tentatively have planned a white mock-wrap skirt, a white sleeveless blouse, and purple trumpet skirt.  My accessory is undecided – I have some white thong sandals, but I want a purple hobo bag, or a green sweater knit shrug, or …. OK maybe the mojo is moving again, at least the planning part.  Here it is in all its glory, and looking at it now I think it definitely needs a cami or tank underneath.  Thanks for letting me play along, Suzanne

[pmcfarm]

Hi...I'm new to SG...and I'm going to venture out and express my personal opinion about "pearls". Do not wait until your in your 60's to give yourself permission to wear your beautiful pearls. Church is appropriate as are luncheon & dinner dates. If you are only comfortable wearing pearls with something "dressy", then make something "dressy" each season. Pearls are meant to be worn, not just something to be stashed away for the next generation! Thanks for the vent space.
MarilynC.