Author Topic: August Wardrobe in a week? (Read 36047 times)

clambaby · « **on:** July 19, 2009, 07:05:51 AM »

Good morning fellow optimists. The May WIAW was the only contest I finished this year and I am wondering if we are still up for that next month some time. If so I will start planning and thinking, because for sure I am going to change my mind many times before I start to sew.

RuthieK · « **Reply #1 on:** July 19, 2009, 08:19:39 AM »

Hi Barbara glad you are excited. Are you wearing your WiaW pieces?

Right now I am without a sewing room and exhausted from work so I've not really been thinking sensibly about WiaW.
My DH made an interesting observation that when I sew to meet a contest, the garments are not always things I then wear - e.g. lots of skirts when I am a pants wearing person mostly.
I am wondering about commuting it to be an outfit in a week, instead of 4 pieces.

I am on holiday the first two weeks of September - someplace warm and sunny and will therefore be wearing my summer clothes. I don't think I shall be wanting to sew Autumn clothing until I come back from that to be honest. It might be really warm in August.

Anyway I don't mean to bring a downer on anyone, but just now there is no way I can commit to August for anything, maybe I will feel differently about all this if my workload slackens a bit, I get my sewing room back and the tiredness which has been following me for weeks starts to lift off a little.

MaryOK · « **Reply #2 on:** July 19, 2009, 03:46:14 PM »

I would love to do this -- I am a little behind on summer sewing, but hope that my family issues will settle down now that we have gotten my parents moved and their house MOSTLY emptied.

clambaby · « **Reply #3 on:** July 19, 2009, 04:16:54 PM »

Ruthie, I understand completely and I think the best thing you could and should do in August is take it easy and look forward to and enjoy your September vacation.

But in honour of your inspiration and leadership in May and in honour of this good idea of yours, I would like this time to be the launcher of the August wardrobe-in-a-week (or outfit in a week.)

The dates and time are:

Prep week: Friday August 14th from 7:00 am wherever you are to Thursday August 20th 11:00 p.m.- Cut, mark and interface any of your garment fabric - any activity that in fact does not involve actual needle piercing fabric sewing.

Sewing week: Friday 7:00 a.m. August 21st wherever you are and ending 11:00 p.m. (really we shouldn't be sewing till midnight) August 30, which is a Sunday.

I think your original rules Ruthie are good ones, amended to four pieces that match of any combination, for example three tops and one bottom are fine, as are three bottoms and a purse - all that matters is four things that if you wore the two of them on the same day together would not be upsetting.

No rules on pictures or posting, but if you can put up pictures on this site that would be good because we are noisy.

The prize is that if you complete four compatible pieces by the deadline you get to go out and buy for yourself a yard (or meter) of fabric you really want - one for each garment completed, so that means that every finisher wins four meters (or yards) of fabric that they really love. If anyone in the family asks why you are buying more fabric you can quite truthfully say that it is because you have won a contest. Personally I think this clause is bullet proof.

OK and I am the first person to sign up.

Sewshopper · « **Reply #4 on:** July 19, 2009, 04:45:03 PM »

I am doing the July sew-along, and do not plan to quit at the end of the month, so will gladly join in. I have several color ways in mind and will need to get my thinking in order to decide which way I am headed. My goal is to get more stash sewed up, This month has been finishing UFO's and is that ever a good feeling. I have cleared out 3 plastic boxes from the sewing room...not big ones, mind you, just boxes containing UFO's.
Karleene

DebbieY · « **Reply #5 on:** July 19, 2009, 04:47:54 PM »

This is a huge leap for me as I haven't sewn any clothing for myself since the early 90's, but you can count me in.

MaryOK · « **Reply #6 on:** July 19, 2009, 06:49:54 PM »

I'm in! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the prize AND the fact that we can ALL win!

MrsBean · « **Reply #7 on:** July 19, 2009, 10:01:39 PM »

I am de-lurking to say that I am in too! I promised myself that next time there is a challenge, I would join in. I hope it will cure my endless procrastination! I really need some new clothes.

Thanks Clambaby.

Michele

JennyAnne · « **Reply #8 on:** July 19, 2009, 11:05:57 PM »

I'll join in. I have a LOT of sewing I want to get done before the end of summer, so this will be a good way to knock out some of the easier ones with a deadline. Which week is the sewing one?

SewingLibrarian · « **Reply #9 on:** July 19, 2009, 11:19:11 PM »

Barbara, I love the prize!!

Not sure I can do this as it's right when my kids and I go back to school, but we shall see.
Linda

Lisanne · « **Reply #10 on:** July 20, 2009, 12:01:25 AM »

Barbara - I'm so glad you are taking this on ! It is such fun to follow along, and who knows, one day I might join in

(If we make one item, can we buy I yard of fabric

, a lovely rule)

Could I suggest a slight adjustment to the rules ? Ruthie had a preparation week and a sewing week. That would mean preparation (cutting, marking, fusing interfacing, collecting notions, etc) from 6 pm local time Friday August 14..

What do you think ? Did other people find this helpful ?

In the UK Monday 31st is a holiday, so it will be really tempting to cheat

RuthieK · « **Reply #11 on:** July 20, 2009, 12:56:54 AM »

Hope you all have fun, and you never know when the time comes around I may have a bit more time and join in after all.

Barbara once the dates are agreed you can edit the title of your first post to include them so its easier for people to find them.

clambaby · « **Reply #12 on:** July 20, 2009, 03:39:16 AM »

Thanks for the advice Ruthie and I have amended the rules and changed the headline in the earlier post.

Of course I woke up myself in the middle of the night and realized I hadn't mentioned the prep week, a brilliant idea and the only reason I finished at all last time, so that has been added too. I changed the start time to 7:00 a.m. as I realize not everyone works or finishes work at 5:00 on Fridays, although I do most of the time.

I am now off to consider. I had pattern fever last week and purchased a bunch of fall Vogues and might think about sewing some of those up. How's that for a novel idea, actually sewing a new fall pattern for fall, the same fall in which they are released? I am not sure I have done that before. And I will need to do some test sewing before the middle of August.

Thanks to all of those who have signed up so far!

vtmartha · « **Reply #13 on:** July 20, 2009, 04:05:08 AM »

I think I'd like to play as well. I know I'd like to play, just not sure what other obligations will appear that week but I guess that's true with each of us. The prize is so clever, Barbara. I'm trying to 'file' the fabric I've bought recently so that I can use my sewing room for guests, but having permission to purchase more would feel really great.

bessiecrocker · « **Reply #14 on:** July 20, 2009, 04:20:42 AM »

I'm in on this, my first contest!! Dates work great for me, and I sure will need the prep week, too, if this is going to get done. Kids will be back in school. I'm even going to write this in my calendar, so it's official. (Woops, looks like I lose one weekend due to previous plans , will have to factor that in...)

I know the project, too. Good summer to fall transition outfit: Brown linen-looking cotton pants, brown-burgundy-pink tweedy-looking knit jacket, woodrose colored knit tee-top (maybe with short sleeves, rather than sleeveless as in pattern below).

Need one more piece for the contest. (WiaW is four pieces, right?) Suggestions?? Maybe a tote? Maybe an easy dress/skirt? Pattern and fabric ideas, anyone? It's got to be easy due to time constraints. Maybe another top...in burgundy? What do you think about putting a long sleeve top under the short sleeve jacket, to extend this for more wear when it gets cooler in the fall?

Here's the pattern, super simple, which means I might actually get it done! (How can you copy and post picture of the pattern?)

http://www.butterick.com/item/B5311.htm?search=B5311&page=1

If I can get my 12 year old DD to do tech support I will try to post photos of fabric. Best part of this (beyond actually have new clothes to wear) is the prize.

fzxdoc · « **Reply #15 on:** July 20, 2009, 05:13:48 AM »

Quote from: clambaby on July 19, 2009, 04:16:54 PM

The prize is that if you complete four compatible pieces by the deadline you get to go out and buy for yourself a yard (or meter) of fabric you really want - one for each garment completed, so that means that every finisher wins four meters (or yards) of fabric that they really love. If anyone in the family asks why you are buying more fabric you can quite truthfully say that it is because you have won a contest. Personally I think this clause is bullet proof.

Clambaby, that is the best idea for a prize that I've heard in a long time! It made me start my day with a delighted laugh. I wish every day started that way!

Kathryn

blue mooney · « **Reply #16 on:** July 20, 2009, 06:07:06 AM »

This sounded like such a good idea the first time when I couldn't join. Barbara, that's a great idea for a prize!
Sign me up.

ElaineMC · « **Reply #17 on:** July 20, 2009, 06:51:35 AM »

Quote from: SewingLibrarian on July 19, 2009, 11:19:11 PM

Barbara, I love the prize!!
Not sure I can do this as it's right when my kids and I go back to school, but we shall see.
Linda

Ditto! I do love the prize!!

Taupe pants, taupe vest, knit top, knit tunic . . . For that transition time when fall colors are in, but it's still 80+ degrees F.

-EMC

sdBev · « **Reply #18 on:** July 20, 2009, 07:23:54 AM »

Quote from: clambaby on July 20, 2009, 03:39:16 AM

...
I had pattern fever last week and purchased a bunch of fall Vogues and might think about sewing some of those up. How's that for a novel idea, actually sewing a new fall pattern for fall, the same fall in which they are released?...

It's a great idea, but (always have to have a but $:-\$ ) it's usually more successful to work with TNT patterns. When working with new patterns you can get bogged down in fitting issues making multiple muslims that eat up your time, even if they are necessary and valuable. Don't skip Ruthie's DH's valuable insight. He observed that Ruthie tended to sew easy skirts but not wear them. I think it was a time-saving thing. Skirts have fewer fitting issues and are faster to sew, but if you don't wear them, why are you making them for yourself?

I'm on the fence about joining in. I want to do this, but right now, middle of July hot-mid-western USA weather, I'm not ready to think about cool weather clothing.

Karendee · « **Reply #19 on:** July 20, 2009, 10:49:20 AM »

Sounds really fun, Barbara! Thanks for organizing.

Karen

I love that Butterick easy to sew pattern. Looks sharp!

andib · « **Reply #20 on:** July 20, 2009, 05:07:21 PM »

May I play too? I am hoping my DH goes out of town that week, and then I can sew guilt free!

My biggest problem is planning, so maybe this will be good for me.

blue mooney · « **Reply #21 on:** July 20, 2009, 05:15:21 PM »

bessiecrocker, sounds like you've got a good plan already.

andib, four pieces will be SO much easier to plan than a full SWAP, don't you think?

I'm leaning towards a couple pair of TNT pants and then two shell-type tops. That will be a good core for a fall wardrobe. I'm a jacket girl, but will save them for later...no need to make myself crazy.

I'm off to browse the photos from the previous WIAW for ideas....

Sharon · « **Reply #22 on:** July 20, 2009, 05:25:17 PM »

Clambaby thank you for organising this as well as the absolutely wonderful prize

Okay I have a TNT pattern for my pants and am working on a blouse pattern which I hope will become a TNT so count me in.

Like blue mooney I'm off to the previous WIAW for inspiration.

Sharon

JenSA · « **Reply #23 on:** July 20, 2009, 06:29:01 PM »

Yes, I'm in too. I finally have my sewing room workable after the move. I have been planning a lot, but have only really tackled a huge pile of mending/ shortening. So I will go through my list and see which planned items go together and which can be reasonably accomplished in a week.

I think I need to put a gate between my sewing room and the play room so that I can sew while littlest plays. He has this knack for finding stray pins and almost pulling my machine down on himself. Crazy kids....gotta love 'em.

CarolTrendall · « **Reply #24 on:** July 20, 2009, 10:16:48 PM »

Count me in! I was about to start a leisurely plan of a short holiday wardrobe, so this is perfect. I'm going to Thailand for a week to celebrate a friend's 40th birthday, so I need some new clothes.

clambaby · « **Reply #25 on:** July 21, 2009, 04:27:46 AM »

I am so pleased that so many of you are joining in. As a champion drop out of sewing contests in the past I found this one worked for me when Ruthie organized the first contest in May because of the limited number of pieces and because the short time frame was just about right for letting everything else in my life slide so I could just sew.

I anticipate changing my mind many times before prep week but right now I am leaning towards a formal suit thing, I am going to need at least one of those this fall to supplement my comfortable teaching wardrobe. I have a black white grey tweed, black wool crepe, black and white light weight silk that I think I can make this suit from plus one black skirt. This would be an outfit I would be glad to have out of the way before fall hits. I am planning on my TNT straight skirt, perfected last WiaW, and both the jacket and blouse in this pattern look easy enough for fast muslins before August.

This would fall into the category of things I am glad I did, rather than fun to sew, but would be good to have on hand for the odd event coming up when I am supposed to look a little chic, rather than just my usual comfortable. And the crazy week, I know from the last time, is fun in its own way too.

I have doubts about the wearability over time of a tweed skirt, but figure if I fuse tricot to the fabric it will help and even if I only get say two seasons out of it, it should be out of style about then too, but as this pattern is not very complicated that is fine.

edited by Liana to add the photos as direct links instead of attachments so they'll stick around a while.

(It takes less bandwidth from SG, too.)

clambaby · « **Reply #26 on:** July 21, 2009, 04:35:40 AM »

Oh Besssiecrocker I wanted to add I really like your pattern choice, the jacket is especially nice, very similar to some of the designer patterns and easy to sew in a week. Good choice.

bessiecrocker · « **Reply #27 on:** July 21, 2009, 09:58:27 AM »

Well, this is forcing me to pull this together quick! We're going on vacation Aug. 1, so i have 9 days to figure out the fourth piece. I like this dress:

http://www.voguepatterns.com/item/V8575.htm?tab=list/dresses_includes_designer&page=all

View D, long set in sleeves. Only problem is that I will probably need to order the pattern, so need to decide pdq, if it's to get here in time. Can you see this under the jacket which has shorter sleeves?

I also don't have lots of fabric sources nearby...went by the two closest today to see what I might find. The tweedy stuff - which is woven and not a knit, now that I've looked at it again- is still available. It could be an A line skirt, but I probably wouldn't wear it much, too much matching tweed for me!

I found this nice raisin colored (sort of reddish brown) knit which would be ok for a long sleeve top, if that's the best I can come up with. It could work for the dress, too, but it wouldn't be a good all over color on me. I could also make it into another pair of pants. Would be more dressy than the other fabric. Oh, so many choices and so little time...

Would like a dress, but only if I can quickly find a good fabric. Sigh, wish I didn't live in such a non-fabric outpost. Got one more place that I can check tomorrow. Think I better nail this down by the end of the week, or I won't have time to order stuff before our vacation. Thanks for the support, this is fun to share our projects!

I'll check the WiaW thread to see what you all made last time.

Carol, I'd love to be off to Thailand! You can just sew a bunch of sarongs...

edited by Liana to add the photo.

CarolTrendall · « **Reply #28 on:** July 21, 2009, 09:50:18 PM »

clambaby, I'm really looking forward to seeing how that suit works for you. I've just bought the pattern and I can't wait for it to arrive! I made a suit from a very loose tweed for my SWAP recently. I fused the jacket and I underlined the skirt with cotton batiste. The jacket will last a while, but I suspect I will only get two seasons out of the skirt.

I realised, with some horror, that August is very close, so tonight is my planning night!

pmcfarm · « **Reply #29 on:** July 21, 2009, 10:03:22 PM »

Hi, I've been lurking for a while...but count me in ! I need the motivation to get sewing again for myself (it's only been 30 yrs. & many sizes ago).
MarilynC.

Jafael · « **Reply #30 on:** July 21, 2009, 11:43:39 PM »

Barbara (clambaby), that is a brilliant prize!! I love it! I'm totally in for this. I have been eager for this Wardrobe in a Week since I missed the last one! And that suit looks gorgeous!

I'm not nearly so ambitious for this contest. My plan is to sew pajamas. I really need pajamas! (I might change my mind, and sew the plan I had for the JCC which I dropped out of!

) I could really use a small capsule of exercise wear, too. Hmmm. Decisions, decisions! Either way, I learned my lesson from the JCC failure to finish. I need some TNT patterns! It never occurred to me that I could do the muslins and fittings BEFORE the contest started!

I better mark my calendar now, so I don't book too many other things that week!

Edit: I just looked at the dates, and I see that our "week" of sewing is actually nine days!

DebbieY · « **Reply #31 on:** July 22, 2009, 12:52:20 AM »

Quote from: pmcfarm on July 21, 2009, 10:03:22 PM

Hi, I've been lurking for a while...but count me in ! I need the motivation to get sewing again for myself (it's only been 30 yrs. & many sizes ago).
MarilynC.

You're not alone! I have sewed for the kids over the past 15 years or so but it was some time before that when I actually made anything for myself, and I too was a different size (and shape) back then. It will be nice to do something for ourselves again and although a little daunting it should be fun!

kiltsnquilts · « **Reply #32 on:** July 22, 2009, 02:19:32 AM »

I love the prize too

I signed up for the June Capsule Contest last year (was it really that long ago???) and also SWAP this year. Unfortunately, despite my best intentions, I didn't manage to finish either of them! Like others, I can see that this would be much more achieveable. I have a muslin cut out for a pair of pants so I will try to make that up before then.

A pair of pants I can wear with my new heels, a denim skirt with deconstructed seams and a couple of tops - one of them a new Simplicity wrap pattern I have just received and possibly the tank to go under it.

Sounds very 'doable' to me - especially with a prep week too.

Oooh - off to my sewing room to plan! Will try not to look at the muslin (half ready for a fitting!) for the school ball dress I am making for my young friend!

blue mooney · « **Reply #33 on:** July 22, 2009, 06:27:06 PM »

Barbara, that suit looks very elegant, and yet do-able for the WIAW. Quite classy.

Flattering dress, Bessie!

Carol, I guess you'll be sewing cool clothes for Thailand! sounds like a dream trip!

My plan is firming up. Charcoal & Taupe pants from a TNT pattern, but a little narrower.
Then I have two pretty simple BWOF blouses that fit nicely that I'll change up a little. One has princess seams and a convertible collar, and the other is shaped with darts & has a standing collar.

The darted one I'll make in a raspberry rayon jacquard, adding a bias ruffle instead of the collar. Maybe finish off the sleeves with a ruffle, too.
The other one will be in some superfine wool, kind of black & taupe tweed. That pattern I'll make up without the collar. It will look great with some horn buttons that I've been saving for too long. I'll make both blouses longer, too.

The prep week will be key to making this a success - I feel like I need to choreograph all my moves for the prep week.

kiltsnquilts · « **Reply #34 on:** July 22, 2009, 08:36:10 PM »

blue mooney, I agree with you about the prep week. I think it will take almost as much planning as the planning!!

I don't usually have a marathon cutting out session and then a marathon sewing session - who knows, maybe it will become a new way for me to work??!! $:-\$

One of the reasons I think I didnt' make a success of the SWAP this year was because I really wasn't happy with my body - and one of the rules was to sew for the body you have now! I know I could have made sure the clothes I made could easily be adjusted, but I just didn't feel like doing that. However, I am feeling much more positive about things now, have started back on a sensible weight loss journey and feel great! Making myself lovely clothes is one of my motivation/inspiration techniques!

Also, making only 4 garments, is much less work if they don't fit in a few months - or if they do need altering. And, making them in the space of 2 weeks (prep week and sewing week), means they are for now, not 4 months time!

Looking forward to it, planning almost complete

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Author Topic: August Wardrobe in a week? (Read 36047 times)