Sewing Plans & Eagerness

Since Davy's birth, I have been itching to get back to sewing (not that I have a lot of time to sew now...). I sorted through my closet, taking the opportunity both to switch out my summer clothes for fall/winter clothes, and to store all the things I can't nurse in and the too-huge things I picked up for the last few months of pregnancy. I was surprised to realize that only a few of the dresses I've made during all my sewing of the past year or two open down the front, so my handmade section of wardrobe is suddenly quite small. 

My other dilemma is that the pregnancy took me up a dress size (which makes my wardrobe even smaller since my latest sewing projects pre-pregnancy won't fit), so now I'm left wondering if I should wait to sew anything until I see if I can lose the 10 extra lbs I gained (thankfully only 10!). I mean, do I really want to sew something this fall that will be too big by this winter? On the bright side, the clothes from a few years ago that were too big, now fit me again. I guess I will just have to keep different sizes in my closet and get to wear them occasionally as I change sizes. But I still am not sure if I want to sew something I am excited about to fit me now if I will only wear it a short time.

But meanwhile, I can go ahead and plan for when I can sew! 

In my sewing inspiration post a few weeks ago, I talked about wardrobe goals and the 3 categories my future sewing projects should fit in to fill a need: Simple, Useful for Prints, and Versatile. It was interesting matching up my current sewing queue to those goals and seeing how they worked together. 

To-Do List

I found this bold, large-print, vintage cotton on eBay, and while it is a color scheme I don't normally wear, I think with a white collar next to my face it may work. It will certainly be interesting, out of the norm and make a cheery house dress. The simplicity of the pattern makes this project Useful for Prints. I wanted to make it this year yet but think since it is more of a spring dress I'll have to wait and make it to fit me then.

 

I really like this simple 1930s dress (beltless dresses are nice for everyday), and have a bunch of 1930s print fabrics I could pair it with. So far it is tentatively paired with this gray and coral print. White collar and buttons, but I'm thinking of doing 3/4 sleeves so it's more season-transitional. The simplicity of the design makes it Useful for Prints. (Incidentally, wouldn't it look great in a plaid with the side panels on the bias???)

 

This project has been paired and on my list for a long, long time and it's time to make it real. The blue/black rayon is very drapey and will work perfectly with an early '40s dress like this. I've wanted a simple navy 1940s dress with a white collar for a while - it's one of those basics that see a lot of use and is always becoming and suitable for many occasions. White collars are such a common fashion element from that era, always making the outfit look so finished and chic. This pattern has more interest going on with the dress design, but I think with a white collar as its only contrast it will still work under Simple. If I have enough fabric, I may do a matching jacket...

 

Another long-paired project is this pinstriped cherry red and white fabric, with a 1940s 2 piece outfit. It will have to wait for next spring or summer, but I really want to get it done this year. It will be a Versatile project, since I can wear the pieces together or separately. 

 

I snapped up some 1930s repro prints from Hancock's on clearance sale this spring, and really can't wait to make this project, especially after seeing Gina's 1930s dress in a similar color scheme. Come to think of it, this pattern is one of Gina's I borrowed and copied, so I guess this will be Gina Dress II. :-) I love how the print is similar to the pattern illustration - I'm going to stick with following the image for inspiration on this one, except for lengthening the front opening down almost to the waist. As is obvious from the fabric, this is another Useful for Prints project.

 

This pattern I want to make the short sleeve version of, so it will have to wait until next year since autumn is coming early in the Pacific Northwest this year. The vintage dotted swiss, snagged from eBay, is lovely and delicate and hopefully will be becoming. This will be a Simple project.

 

Another Simple project which just may be my Christmas dress this year, will be a remake of one of my most-worn dresses, this time with raspberry-and-black checked rayon suiting. I used a length of this suiting last winter for a 1940s dress with detachable peplum, but since it doesn't open down the front, when the suiting went back on sale at fashionfabricsclub.com I got more so I can make a dress in it that I can wear now. I'll do the skirt side panels on the bias again, and add just a black velvet collar for contrast. It will be simple but dressy, and I expect it will get worn a lot if my green version is any barometer.

 

A Versatile project I have in mind will use this length of gold gingham linen-rayon suiting. I was inspired by the image below and want to use the gingham as a dress with matching jacket, the dress to have a contrasting white "blouse" for the most versatility just like the inspiration image. I haven't quite decided on the patterns yet (so far the dress runner-up is the one shown, only with short sleeves), but I'm definitely going 1930s for this one.

 

This is destined to be a 1930s/1940s blouse with blue buttons! I'll probably choose a basic pattern that can cross eras, either the one shown or a similar one - something Useful for Prints, and hopefully one that can be worn tucked in or out.

 

I have this heavier plaid suiting which seems ideal for cold weather wearing. It could make a nice suit, but I have more need for warm house dresses. I'm thinking of doing this one Simple in a princess style dress with contrasting collar & covered buttons. Come to think of it, a princess seam dress might be a good answer to my sewing dilemma since I could make it to fit me now, and easily take in the seams when necessary without compromising the appearance and construction.

 

This late '40s dress is plain but still has charming elements with its overlapped collar and sleeve vents. I would like to make View 1 in this blue abstract-teardrop print. It would be simple, but I probably will put it in the Useful for Prints category. 

 

This bold plaid rayon suiting just seemed to say "1950s" all over it. I want to make it as a 2 piece with white contrast, and if I have enough left, do another style of 1950s jacket with 3/4 or long sleeves so I can mix and match. Definitely a Versatile project!

 

I have a few others in mind that may make the list yet, but these are the ones I'm most excited about. Everything from the stash if possible, which is certainly another goal, and a nice mixture of styles and decades. It's invigorating to actually have a need to sew for, instead of simply adding to my closet.

I may need to add a few more house dresses to the queue since a lot of these are dressier options. And these patterns below are more I'm excited to try that aren't paired with fabric yet. But after looking at my full sewing room shelves, I should be able to find something!

Comments

[Debra]

Thank you for all those lovely maternity dresses you've made.It certainly has been inspiring to see. I am expecting my 7th baby, and feminine, modest maternity dresses can't be found in stores. It will be interesting to see what you do for nursing. I've stuck with blouse and skirt, as my babies don't wait for buttons! (Screaming baby: "FEED ME NOW!!" Me: "wait, I've got three more buttons to go!)
Cherish your baby, they're small such a short time!

[Sarah - Sew Characteristically You]

I love hearing about your project plans, and it is so nice to know I am not the only one with a large stash of fabric that I have plans for! Most everything I buy already has a project planned for it. Which means I have a very long to do list. :)

Sarah

[Kristen Stoltzfus Clay]

Debra - I've already found that zippers for the front work better than buttons many times, and are easier to manage with one hand. For everyday so far I am finding that knit tops and sweaters work well, but since I do still want to sew and wear vintage dresses, I'll figure out how to manage the buttons. :-)

Sarah - I am the same way! I will have a ton of fabric and a long list of items to make, but if I see a fabric sale often I end up getting some and half of it is paired and at the top of my list before I even place the order. But I really am trying to refocus and do my fabric "shopping" on my own shelves.

[Cate]

These are all such wonderful projects to be getting on with. I, of course, love the 1930s ones but my favourite has to be the third one, the Advance 1940s dress that you're going to make in navy rayon. It looks so cute and I'm a sucker for white collars on dresses. I have a few original collars I have plans for, I just need to find some time to make them! xx

[Dee]

All these patterns look lovely!! I look forward to seeing whatever you make next.

[Gina White]

Oooooh! I am loving all those early 1930s patterns! You will look darling!
Blessings!
g