Better late than never right?! Yes, spring is two-thirds
gone and yes, there’s only four more months until Autumn (a bleak thought), but
here’s part one of my inspiration and sewing plans for the hot seasons. I’ve
been loving the seasonal sewing plans popping up and thought I’d get involved, starting with my Pinterest. I’m
also hoping that by putting my ideas and plans on here I’ll be more compelled
to try and get them finished and cross them off the list. I’m somewhat doubtful
that I’ll sew all of these garments, as I’m terrible (or good?) at bumping new ideas and patterns up
the to-sew list, but they’re certainly a good starting point and give me
something to aim for.
Without further ado .
. .
1. CONTRAST POCKET COTTON SHIRT
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I’ve recently re-discovered collared shirts and I’m loving
them. I instantly feel ten times more put together once I put one on so I’m
planning on making a few for the spring/summer. I made up a white cotton shirt
using Winifred Aldrich’s Metric Pattern Cutting book a couple of weeks ago and
it turned out really well. It was a bit more full in the sleeves than I liked
so I omitted the cuffs to save it from being too puffy (I’ll deal with
mastering cuffs later in the season).
I’m planning to use this pattern to make a cropped cotton
shirt but with contrasting pockets so it’s a little different. I have a small
amount of this purple leather stashed away which is a contender for the pockets
but I could also just use a patterned fabric depending on the weight of the
cotton I end up using. I’m planning a crisp collar and a boxy shape.
2. A-LINE CORDUROY SKIRT
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Do I even need to explain the inspiration behind this? Ever
since Alexa Chung released that collection of denim minis and A-lines, button-up skirts seem to be in the window of every high street shop I walk
past, so I guess I’m just jumping on the bandwagon. In truth, I brought this
mustard corduroy at the start of the year and earmarked it for something
70s-ish. (Obviously. What else does one use mustard corduroy for?? ). I had in
mind a plain A-line with an exposed metal zip, but I like the look of
buttons/domes so I’ll go with that.
To ensure it’s not too run-of-the-mill I might jazz it up a
bit by putting the buttons off centre or adding contrast panels to the sides (I
have some matching aubergine corduroy in my stash).
I have a self-made pattern that I could easily alter to use
for this but the release of Pauline Alice’s Rosari skirt pattern recently
seemed like a sign, and it’ll save time fiddling around trying to perfect my
one.
3. TWIN-SET WITH SKORT
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Twin-sets. Matching separates. Co-ords. Whatever you want to call them, you have to agree they are pretty good. I made my first set around a year ago and I’ve made two or three since then. This one is probably my favourite. The idea behind this outfit is more about showcasing the fabric than using the fabric as a means to realise the design’s shape and form.
When I saw this fabric at the Fabric Store I immediately fell in love with it and snapped up the last 1.3 metres. It’s lovely and textured and I decided almost as soon as I brought it to make it into a twin set because there’s not enough fabric to do too much with it. I also considered a Rigel bomber but wanted to do something a bit different. I’m intending to do the bottoms up as a skort. I often make culottes as I’m pleased with the pattern I have, but want to mix it up a bit, so I’m going to use this pattern and put a faux wrap layer on top.
4. DOTTED CROPPED BLOUSE
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This next idea was also primarily inspired by the fabric. I
saw this dotty linen/cotton at the Fabric Store and couldn’t picture it as
anything besides a collared shirt. I’m not certain how I want the hemline to be
yet, I’ll make it up and then decide, but I’m going for a boxy shape with loose
sleeves for those hot summer days!
5. HIGH-WAISTED PLEATED SHORTS
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