Six-piece spring collection sew-along (February - April)

[ejvc]

I am moving up the date of the seasonal sew-alongs one month, so that everyone has a chance to have some completed garments before the season begins.  However, the winter sew-along will also be finishing up in February.  Those participating can decide if they want to curtail one collection or go for broke and sew one garment a week in February.

Everyone is welcome to join this sewalong at whatever time.  

Although there are no specific rules, the idea behind this sew-along is to created a co-ordinated collection for the season of spring.  Antipodeans might choose to follow along and make autumnal clothes.  Those with rainy seasons or dry seasons or whatever -- happy to have you.

The spring collection should consist of six garments which are part of a basic wardrobe, as follows:

Skirt or trousers (neutral)
3 blouses/tops (1 to match, 2 to complement)
Cardigan or third layer (to coordinate or match skirt/trousers)
Coat or jacket (co-ordinating neutral)

These are not necessarily show-stopping pieces, but the pieces you want to wear every day in spring.

I highly recommend a limited colour palette: I favour two neutrals (medium and light for spring) and two coordinating accent colours.

As an example, let's say my colours for spring are the newly fashionable Tuscany, Pink Champagne, Amparo Blue and Aurora (that's taupe, pinky cream, blue, and lemon to you and me -- my names come from the Pantone 2010 colour report).    Make a pair of linen trousers and a twinset in Tuscany; a knit twist top in Aurora and a gauzy blouse in in Amparo Blue; and top it off with a super jacket in Pink Champagne.  Now who feels like spring?

Or, use Dried Herb and Eucalyptus as your foundation, adding Tomato Puree and Turquoise for a retro feel (I am quoting pantone -- the colours are a drab green, a greeny grey, a slightly orangy red and a blue-green):  Go safari with a skirt and and shirt of Eucalyptus poplin, and add a Donna Karan style cozy wrap in Dried Herb; a boat neck shirt in Tomato Puree and a long folklore style tunic in turquoise; top all off with a Eucalyptus raincoat.  

A work wardrobe could be had by co-ordinating jacket and trousers/skirt for a suit (say in a drab taupe linen); making a twinset (say in cream); and adding two blouses of different accent colours (say red and gold).  Just keep it simple.  Add other pieces, by all means if you like, but try to get the central collection pulled together first.

And finally -- I urge you all to use a croquis to plan your outfits and think of little touches that will make these clothes your favourites.  

ETA: This plan looks a bit light on bottoms and doesn't include dresses.  If you want to add another bottom, go ahead, I suggest in your second neutral; if you want use a dress, make it instead of one of your tops.

[Sewshopper]

Elizabeth, thanks for getting us organized.  I plan to join in though I still have 3 pieces to finish in the winter collection.  I have no plan as of now but am sure that one will surface!

Karleene

[RuthieK]

It snowed here again today but I love the idea of clothes for Spring. I am doing two SWAPs at the moment but do like to incorporate the ideas from Elizabeth's collections into whatever I am sewing.

I am going to try and work my 'Botanical Garden SWAP' into the Six-piece spring collection sew-along. The colours I am using in this are olive, lime, warm pink and ivory.

Skirt or trousers (neutral) - olive
3 blouses/tops (1 to match, 2 to complement) - olive, ivory and pink
Cardigan or third layer (to coordinate or match skirt/trousers) - pink cardiwrap (why not? its spring)
Coat or jacket (co-ordinating neutral) - sage/coral jacket (or something else if its not nice)

Collection sewing makes so much sense. And you could always buy a few pieces if its too much sewing.
These days I try to wear (at least) one item I made (even if its only simple earrings) every day. It gives me a little happy buzz inside when I do.

[Sharon]

This Antipodean will be sewing along.  The interesting part is that both Spring/Autumn have the same pieces in them  they will just be different fabric weights

I'm still trying to finish my Summer clothes and hope that whilst DH is away for 2 1/2 weeks I might get a bit more sewing done.

I already have a plan for Autumn and it is burgundy based, even have all the bits for the Chanel Jacket.

Sharon

[DebbieY]

I think I might join in too. Although we are heading into Autumn during this time a Spring type wardrobe will be fine for our climate as it's pretty mild here and we don't get cold weather till Winter, even then it's not what most of you would call cold I have not thought about patterns or fabrics but the budget is a bit tight after birthdays, Christmas and just last week sending 3 kids back to school, so I will be using what I can find amongst the small stash I have accumulated.

[sdBev]

I'm along for the ride!.  Really thinking I want to go with my blues, but since it is spring maybe navy and turquoise and a golden yellow.  Navy trousers with a navy jacket is a terrific basic that can be spiced up with other colors when they strike my fancy.  Ummm would still like to do my bight blues but I don't think they look as good with turquoise which seems to be the spring color this year.

I'm going to finish my winter 6pac first, or at least the coat.  It's so close now it would be a shame to leave it as a UFO. 

[stashpanache]

IF things work out for me in the next week or two, I will join too.  And, even if I don't formally join the sew-along, I will sew along anyway and get as much done as I can.  My stash is totally uncoordinated.  This would be good discipline for me to start putting more thought into my fabric instead of just buying willy nilly where nothing coordinates.

[LauraTS]

Sounds great. I have a gray jeans skirt that I bought a few months ago that I haven't worn yet - a it's been too cold, b it needs a slight alteration before wearing and c I'm not sure what to wear with it. Maybe creating some coordinates that would work well could be a great idea. I will have to rummage through my stash and see what I can come up with.

[Jacs]

Sounds great - it gets colder here so will be sewing an autumn into winter collection - which will be based around brown as my neutral.  I am still finishing my summer one - thanks to Elizabeth I now have a to die for shirt (wore it to a job interview and looked great) skirt, singlet, dress and T shirt.  I am going to modify the T shirt with some ruching up the sides to make it more wearable.  Still to make is another skirt and jacket.  Skirt is cut out - Jacket still needs to be cut out.  I am not so sure about the fabric.

Looking forward to sewing along with you all.

[ejvc]

Great everyone!  I am still working on winter pieces, I imagine I'll transition to spring towards the middle of this month.  Please everyone feel free to share your plans, we all like inspiration.  A friend of mine is going to come over and help me work on my plans.  I am a little terrified.  She is awfully picky.

[aisling]

I'm tentatively saying I'm in and hope saying so doesn't invite life throwing more curve balls. I haven't finished that montana jacket yet and it needs to be done first. I haven't touched my sewing machine since I posted pics of the mockup

So I have planned the following
Silk tweed Jacket in Mushroom (it's pink, brown, green, cream shades of mushroom). I'm hoping to make a jacket but I've never sewn with silk tweed before and I am wondering if it's the right weight.
Olivey green Trousers
Cocoa Tank
Possibly a hand-knitted top but I suspect the yarn I have will not go with the jacket. I may purchase yarn instead.
A couple of tees

I'm sewing for autumn. If I was a little more precise the summer end of autumn. I'm also sewing for unemployed student.

[sdBev]

Aisling, that sounds really lovely.  Have you got the fabrics yet? Planned patterns?  (all these questions for one who can't decide what colors to use.  sheesh!)

[Ann]

Bev, it looks like it is decision time for you. If I was making the six piece spring collection sew-along, I could use all winter fabrics. Spring doesn't come until sometime after Easter and sometimes it is a long time after Easter. I am hoping to take part in the Summer sew along as I will be almost finished teaching and could handle it. So I wait, and mark, and wait, and write report cards, and wait and ......................

Ann

[ejvc]

For spring, I think I'm going to sew my alternate colourway with brown, purple, and pink being the major colours.

I have 5.25 metres of a gorgeous lightweight wool/cotton mix in a twill weave, 135cm (53") wide.  The warp is a dark brown cotton and the weft is short fuzzy variegated wool (very short fibres, makes the fabric slightly fuzzy).  It is all washed and pre-shrunk.  Both sides are pretty - one is darker brown, one is lighter brown, and both side appear slightly striped - although unfortunately on the cross-grain since this is originally a high-end upholstery fabric.  This is going to form the basis of the collection.  I am currently thinking that I will go on a Marci Tilton binge and see how I go.  I have some brown cotton velvet and some brown denim for contrast details, and I'm thinking of:

1) bottom - long skirt V8561; with pink or purple topstitching, although I may chicken out and stick with cream.  Dark side out.
2) layering top 1 - vest V8599 with contrast inset; I'm thinking light side out and dark side out for contrast, or possibly velvet.  View B without the lace.  I'll use this beautiful plum organza I have to make the Hong Kong finishes on the inside, and maybe the armhole facings?
3) jacket - V8600 with the big collar; dark side out; velveteen hem and cuff bands; organza for the inner details.

For my three tops, I need to go out and buy some pink and plum knit; I am going to do two very simple shaped tops, long-sleeved, and maybe paint or embroider (here's where I steal Ruthie's bamboo top from her SWAP). I'll use the FSG 1960 top (with a better shoulder adjustment) as a base. Then I am going to add a drafting challenge and make one of the beautiful MSB blouses, probably in a brown plaid shirting that I have.

Here are the pictures of the Marci Tilton patterns:

[Carole]

I'm in on this one with a little twist.  Some girlfriends and I have decided to go on a cruise together and I don't have a lot of clothes for it.  I just tried out Burda 3197 (basic tee) and it was so delightfully easy that I am using it for a basis for my SWAP.  Rather than trousers I'll be sewing shorts and elastic waisted pants out of knits or linen, along with knit short sleeved tops.  The colors are turquoise and fuchsia based on a great piece of linen in my stash.  I probably won't sew a jacket but may make a cardigan and a pair of silk tweed pants out of gorgeous stuff in my stash that doesn't match any of the above, but is a kind of straw color, which I'll call a neutral.

[Remnant]

I'm in! I was doing my own wee SWAP and this fits my plans! I plan to visit mom in Florida mid-March - our relationship is difficult but she has asked me for help, so off I will go. I'd like to look nice.

I have 4 skirts planned:
brown silk noil: I don't have a pattern yet. I'd like to do something with interesting, raw seams so that there's a bit of fringe
green/black/white faces with purple lips. Knit. Cute and whimsical.
rusty/orangy tweed: probably a-line or pencil
eggshell knit - something plain

Two lightweight jackets (if I can get to both)
a bright white
an eggshell

One vest: brown linen

One Cardigan: eggshell

Several Tops
Eggshell silky knit, sleeveless, cowl
Eggshell knit, 3/4 sleeves
White cotton woven (I'm having a difficult time with woven tops due to large bust and smallish waist - I'll need to seek help)
brown/white/black patterned silky stretch of some sort: two tops (sleeveless and either short or 3/4)

That's 12 items (if I counted correctly). I have already made a navy knit skirt which will coordinate with the white jacket and several tops. I have a purple knit top cut out and waiting to be sewn as a "wearable" muslin for the cowl neck I hope to make.

I've been a bit under the weather and unable to sew for several days due to meds - trying to figure out whether I'm being besieged by a stress/anxiety attack or gallbladder or heart. My vote is anxiety as my husband has been ill a year and I think putting on a happy face has finally worn me down. However, I hope to start sewing again later today as I'm beginning to feel real again.

Anyway, I'm glad to have a purpose, plan and someone to sew along with. It'll be nice having a new spring wardrobe, too!

[ejvc]

Remnant, how excellent!  Can I urge you, in your sewing plans, to pick six that will go together as a core and sew them first?  The plan I outlined above has 1 bottom, 3 tops, and 2 layering tops (your vest/jacket/cardigan).  It is top-heavy because, apparently, no one notices if you wear the same pair of black trousers three days in a row, while the same shirt will certainly be noticeable.  If I added one more piece to that list for seven pieces, it would be another bottom.  You have 4 bottoms, four layering tops, and four tops.  WIth 2 of each you have  a six-piece collection that is maybe a little warm for Florida? I don't know how much you will be layering.  Just food for thought.

Carole, I'd say the same to you, think about what you want to be pulling out of your suitcase day after day on your cruise.  You mention 3 bottoms (straw silk, linen, and knit) and a bunch of knit tops, plus I guess the inspiration linen?  I took a cruise on the Amazon some years ago and wore two pairs of trousers, white linen and baby pink drawstring linen, nearly every day -- they dried quickly and were lovely to wear.  We didn't need much in the way of layers but a wrap or sarong-type thing was useful.

[Remnant]

AH, I just KNEW you'd be saying this - and I am prepared to agree with your assessment. I will certainly take your advice and come up with an order of sewing that makes best sense. (Especially if I don't finish everything I have planned by mid-March). Thanks for the input.

BTW: I get chilly in airconditioning and that's why the need for the layers.

Thanks!

[Ann]

Elizabeth, I love the Marcy Tilton vest. It is on my list to buy  I plan on making myself one and one for DD. It is so classic but with a unique twist. I just love how Marcy Tilton did the Hong Kong seam finish and the vent at the back. Sooooooo cool. I can hardly wait to see yours.

Ann

[aisling]

Aisling, that sounds really lovely.  Have you got the fabrics yet? Planned patterns?  (all these questions for one who can't decide what colors to use.  sheesh!)

I've decide to have varying shades of olive green as my base neutral. I was going to do grey but I'm not suppose to be in the sun much anymore so I need the colour pickup from olive. The only reason I don't like sewing with olive is finding enough of it in basic fabrics to make basic items and find dark brown shoes and the like is also difficult

I would like to find an olive cotton to make some jeans but if not a dark indigo will suffice. I'm thinking of the jean jeanius pattern from hotpatterns. I'm unsure if that is a bootcut or whether I will need to do that.

And if I do do an order from hotpatterns then I will probably order the tack and field cargos as an extension. to the six-pieces I have a heavy green linen that might be suitable and would be lovely for hot days.

I have a piece of silk tweed I'm planning to make into a jacket
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vintagealternative/4325989973/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vintagealternative/4325995645/
(My brain has been addled by the heat and I can't remember how to upload photos and the strong light outside is making photography interesting)

I'll make up in the now OOP New look 6519 . It's a raglan sleeved oriental styled jacket. I may do piping  and if so it will be in a dusty green.

The woven tank pattern is OOP Simplicity 4500. I'll probably make it in linen for day and maybe a satin one (either cocoa or green silk shown in the first pic) if I get the original six-pieces done for a more dressy look.

The tees will be from an OOP Jalie pattern. I'm not sure how long I'll make the sleeves and what colours. I don't stash knits. I do have one knit fabric a paisley floral knit fabric (it's actually quite nice against a dark backing) that I would like to use but we shall see.

The knitted top I haven't decided on what I'm doing yet.

And if I get all this done then I'll have an excuse to make up the strand of mossy-bronze dyed pearls. And can think about extending it for late autumn. I'll probably extend this 6-piece for the end of autumn by making a jacket in British Army green wool and a couple of shirts.

[Lisanne]

Congratulations  -  you all have such delicious and inspiring plans
I'm excited to see what you make 

[RuthieK]

aisling - sounds lovely!
and very much would love to see the pearls.

[aisling]

My sewing room is half packed for moving including my gemstones but I do have some pictures of the pearls from when I was contemplating SWAP. The flash has thrown the colours out from where they should be.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vintagealternative/4328918462/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vintagealternative/4328187705/
I also have some smokey quartz chips.

This photo shows the paisley knit and how it changes according to background. I bought it online and of course it was doubled up on itself so I didn't realise what it was like till I got it.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vintagealternative/4328921340/
As for the rest of the stuff in that photo, well that orange yarn is actually a muted brick red yarn and is for a knitted corset tank. The rest of the stuff is for late autumn/winter. The white is a warm off-white proper viyellla. The coating is the British Army green I mentioned in my  last post. and not that dark and not that olive. It matches linen thread I have from the 1940s for army uniforms. The light olive herringbone wool suiting is a great colour for summer but the fabric too heavy for summer. The donkey brown fabric is lovely but only if I can get the smell of mothballs out of it.

[ejvc]

Aisling, to include your photos, just click the "all sizes" button above the photo in flicker, get the size you want, and then right-click or control-click (Mac) to get the address of the photo.  Use the image button (next to the link button above) and insert the address between the "img" tags.  Hey presto, image included.

[Sewshopper]

I spent some time 'shopping' my stash and have the following plan:

1.- Black textured knit sweater/jacket
2.- Black LH Cruise pant
3.- Black floral knit LH Tango skirt
4.- Red knit tee
5.- White knit tee
6.- White Bergman top

For variety, I hope to add later:

1.- Multicolor Purple knit sweater/jacket
2.- Purple tensel L H Cruise pant and top (pattern to be decided later)
3.- Purple knit tee
4.- Lavender knit tee

That is my plan, now to see how well it works out!!

Karleene

[aisling]

Aisling, to include your photos, ...

Thank you. I just couldn't remember yesterday or today. It's too hot again and I've had a touch of heatstroke this week already. I've saved the info to a word doc on my desktop so hopefully that helps.

[ejvc]

Karleene, looks good -  you'll have even more variety if you include another top - I'd suggest black - into your major sewing.  That way you could have a smart black dress look by combining your skirt and top, helpful for formal events.  Maybe from the yardage for the pants or skirt.

Off to work on more winter sewing!

[LauraTS]

Intriguing plans from everybody! I picked up some remnants from the thrift store the other day, and one piece, a blue/cream microstripe knit, got me rummaging around the stash corner and found some fabrics that look really good together with it - denim blue, dark cream, and a medium green - light bayleaf is the best way I can think of it. Not sure of patterns yet, but I'm definitely thinking of a skirt from some denim and then some tops and cardigans. I'll try to get a picture of my pile o' fabrics.

But before I get officially started with this I want to finish up some lingering UFOs for the PR UFO contest this month.

[rratstarr]

In light of recent news that I'm expecting, I'm joining.  I really need to add to my wardrobe since I got rid of nearly all my old maternity clothes.

I'm going to make the maternity pants from BWOF 8/2007, (now available as envelope pattern 7763).  I made a muslin of the pants during my last pregnancy, but it was too near the end for me to get around to finishing.  Maybe the tunic, too. I'm not sure. Seen here:



Also, the Duro-style top from BWOF 3/2007, in a stretchy knit instead of the woven it calls for.  I can't decide if the style is too out of date, though.  I might still like it enough not to care.



Then I want some closer-fitting tops with mabe a bit of alteration for a growing belly, and made of a stretchy knit.  I need to take a look at the patterns I have to see what I can alter.  I saw Butterick has a maternity twist top, but I think I can alter an existing pattern easily enough by maybe adding some width near the bottom and adding some length.  I also have some empire-waist dress patterns I could shorten to tunic length that might work well.

For the layering piece I'll probably sew a cardi-wrap; I have a Kwik Sew pattern for one.

I don't know about the jacket/coat yet.  Anyone have suggestions for a nice maternity coat or jacket?

I need to mull over color choices.  My neutral will probably be black or charcoal for the pants.

[Lisanne]

rratstarr  -  McCall's 6033 is a new-this-month version of the banded top, so they're not out of date at all !

Are you attracted by vintage jackets ?  The swing styles have lots of extra room. . .

Best Wishes for your pregnancy.

[LynnH]

I've been lurking for a while and decided to at least try to complete the spring collection sew-along.  Much easier to complete than the SWAP and this provides motivation to get a cohesive plan in place.  Having declared my intentions, I need to go plan what I will do for the items.

I'm an experienced sewer who is just getting back into sewing after a multi-year absence.

Looking forward to sharing ideas and seeing the results.
Lynn

[sdBev]

LynnH  Welcome to list.  I find that sewing small coordinated capsules is my best.  I often combine new sewing with existing pieces so that I can wear all my clothes.  Did you read Elizabeths original post on the 6piece capsules?  Any idea what colors and fabrics you want tot use?

[fzxdoc]

LynnH, welcome to Stitcher's Guild!  We have lots of members here who are reintroducing themselves to sewing after a long hiatus, so you will fit right in!

Since you've been lurking for a while, you may already know much of this, but just in case you don't, here is some info that we like to pass along to our new posters, to help you get around the site a bit more easily:


1.   Visit the “Are You New?” topic by clicking here:  Are you new? 

2.   Learn about the forum rules by clicking here: Forum decorum...FAQs

3.   Play in the Sandbox by clicking here : Sandbox .  There you can play around with a lot of the features of the site to your heart's delight (like posting photos or creating your avatar) without affecting any of the other active topics.  It’s truly a “no worries” place to play and learn.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask one of us four site administrators or the site moderator.  One or the other of us is almost always around.  On the opening page, at the bottom, where it lists who is online, our names show up in bright red or bright blue.  You can always send us a private message at any time if you need help.


 Again, LynnH, welcome. Have fun working on that Spring sewalong!

Kathryn

[Remnant]

Hi LynnH. Great to see a new face in the crowd. Welcome!

I'm currently working on my hardest piece: the jacket. Someone suggested (during a SWAP, perhaps?) that she starts with the most difficult piece first. I like that idea and am truly enjoying the process. If I had left this jacket for last, I may have grown weary of the group and never tackled it. (This is my first jacket.)

Anyway, I'm on my way! I posted a bit of a storyboard to my blog.....whittling my ideas into to two separate phases. The first phase has 6 or 7 items which our fearless "leader" encouraged me to do, rather than the 12 or so I had originally planned.

[LynnH]

Thank you for the warm welcome.  I got hooked on this topic when I found Elizabeth's original post for the fall 6 piece.  Of course - I didn't find it till late December.  But reading all the wonderful comments is what kept me coming back.  So I was already following the winter sew along when she announced the spring.

I live in jeans when I'm home, so this will be focused on refreshing my work wardrobe.

I've been following the style of a capsule wardrobe for several years.  My core colors are red, blue, green and purple.  Of course, having stated that I have to confess - it doesn't always work out well.  I've injected other colors into the collection and overall I'm happy with the options.  I'm just tired of the poor fitting RTW.

I'm thinking it will be blue wool pants and cardigan jacket based Butterick 5192 and a cream double-sided fleece jacket using Vogue 1145.  I selected the patterns for two of the tops (Vogue 8534 and a book from Sandra Betzina - No Time to Sew for the t-shirt).  I already have the wool and fleece in house.  I need to get out with my two fabric swatches to select fabrics for the tops.  I also need to select my third pattern so I have variety in the top styling.  This is giving me something to do during these blizzard conditions on the east coast.

Kathryn - thank you for the links - It saved me from having to back track thru the thread to locate them.