Spring Sleep wear - tonight!

Was meant to be going out tonight but the weather has ruined plans.

So will be sewing tonight... need to get t-shirts finished asap as I want to finish the jacket I’ve been working on for a few weeks over the weekend, it is very flowery & very Spring!

Spring Work wear - I’ve been looking for Spring fabrics

I’ve found this fabric in two bright colours & think that both would make lovely jackets for the Spring. I also want to get some yellow into my clothing at some point even though I’ve never really liked the colour I think this is a great time to experiment!

What do you think of the colours? I think both would go well with a bright yellow skirt or dress.

Spring Sleep wear - today I have been experimenting with decoration

I’ve used ribbon & embroidery thread to put a bow on the shoulder of one of the t-shits, this is quite time consuming but easy to do in front of the telly!

Spring Sleep wear - what have I been doing for the last few days?

I have cut & sewn the main parts of the 5 t-shirts for the Spring Sleep wear collection over the last few days.  I’m quite happy with the results & they fit great!

Just have final finishing touches to do hems & decoration.

Spring Sleep wear - producing a simple pattern for t-shirts

For Spring sleep wear I have to produce 5x t-shirts & 5x bottoms.

I am going to start by producing 5 simple t-shirts.

As in the past with t-shirt type projects I’ve chosen t-shirts that have fitted me well & cut them up.

With this long sleeve t-shirt I cut away the seams leaving with just the “worn part” of the fabric, but before I cut up I mark on the fabric with stitches where the various pieces match up (& where there are gathers) so its easier to reproduce with the new fabric.

See the below pictures - before cutting & after cutting.

The grey thread on the sleeve matches up with the grey thread on the front &  back sections of the t-shirt (the extra grey thread shows that this is the back) The orange thread is on the seam of the front & back of the body of the t-shirt.

Let me know if this doesn't make sense! 

Spring Sleep wear - can't just be grey (just looked in my wardrobe... a sea of grey!)

I need to add some colour to my Spring sleep wear. I am thinking ribbons... what do you think? See below colours...

Need to start to think about patterns - thinking shorts & long sleeve t-shirts - will start thinking about this tomorrow.

Spring Sleep wear - research & fabric

Sleep wear can be trend less, it does however have to be very comfortable & for Spring it need to be warm.

At the moment I like Jack Wills & Abercrombie & Fitch stylie (A&C especially after my NY visit - or was it just because they made us queue I got soooo excited about their clothing?!?).

I have some rather nice grey thermal type fabric which I was thinking I could tart up with the bows & velvet ribbons currently being use by the above two lovely fashion houses!

Note: I have said I DON'T want to look like everyone else, however I want to remain "on trend" & not out on a limb with my clothing! As I am taking the time & effort to make my own clothes rest assured that I will

NOT want to look like I am wearing clothes from an international brand!

Thermal cloth...

What do you think? Comments below please :)

The plan

For each season & each set of clothes I will need to do the following:
(1) Choose a name for the set of clothes (label).
(2) Research & find out what is "on trend".
(3) Decide how many clothes & what types of clothing I will need (already done for Spring).
(4) Find some patterns to make the clothes from.
(5) Choose some colours (so the clothes go together!).
(6) Buy some fabric (plus ribbons, thread etc).
(7) Make cut the patterns & make the clothes.
(8) Take some pictures so you can see the final product!

& then hopefully you will give me some feedback :)

Today I start to seriously think about what I am to do

So I can work through the project in an organised way, I have divided 2011 into the 4 seasons.

Spring will be the first season I will make clothes for which means I now have 3 months to make clothes for this Spring.

I believe I will need the following sets of clothes:
Sleep wear:
5x t-shirts
5x bottoms (shorts/ long track pants)

Casual:
5x t-shirts
3x track pants
3x sweat tops

Work wear:
2x dresses
4x trousers/ skirts
4x tops (long & short sleeve)
3x jumpers/ jackets

Golf wear:
2x skirts
3x trousers
3x tops (long sleeve)
2x tops (short sleeve)
3x jumpers/ fleeces
　
Going out:
1x dressy dress
1x dress
1x skirt
3x tops
2x cardigans
(jeans might need to be bought or use what currently have)

Outer wear:
1x long coat
1x jacket

This is what I've made so far

Today I've uploaded a slideshow of photos of the clothes I've already made.

Please let me know what you think of them (comments box below).

In November I got inspired

I have just got back from New York & have seen the movie Julie & Julia which is part set in New York & have become inspired to blog.

I didn't really know much about blogging but could relate my love of making clothes to Julie's love of cookery and like Julie I decided to blog about something I love!

　
PS - I've uploaded a slideshow of my photos from NY on the right hand side of this blog.

Where did the "Capsule Wardrobe Project" idea come from?

I love clothes shopping, but I have got soooo tired of looking the same as everyone else.

In 2008 I went on a 10 day pattern cutting course at the London College of Fashion and in 2009 I went on a 10 day tailoring course at St Martins College of Fashion.

Finally in 2009 I started making my own clothes.
　

Link to London College of Fashion: http://www.csm.arts.ac.uk/
Link to Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design: http://www.fashion.arts.ac.uk/