How I planned my capsule wardrobe

Hey sewcialists!  I don’t know if you have heard but there are two different wardrobe contests starting on February 1st!  I am so excited about these and knew I had to join in.  The first is hosted by Pattern Review and runs from February 1st until March 31st.  The requirement is to have 10 total pieces in your wardrobe with rules about what type of garments need to be included, but there is room for free choice pieces.  The second is being hosted on the Sew-A-Longs & Sewing Contests Facebook group and it runs from February 1st until May 31st.  This one is inspired by the Pattern Review version but meant to be a little more flexible in terms of time deadlines and no requirements for specific type of garments.  I am going to use the same collection for both contests and this is how I planned it.

For me the planning starts with the patterns!  The Pattern Review contest requires 2 bottoms, 2 tops, 1 topper, 5 free choice for a total of 10 pieces.  I decided my breakdown would be 2 bottoms, 4 tops, 2 toppers, and 2 dresses.  I had a pretty good start to picking out patterns for each of these pieces since most had been on my must make list for months now.  I started with bottoms, since they will be the base for everything, then I moved to tops in styles that worked for the bottoms I choose.  Then I went to toppers to coordinate with each top and bottom combination.  With all those picked, I moved on to dresses. I left them last since they only have to coordinate with the toppers.  I laid each of the patterns I picked out, so I could see what they would all look like together. It was great to see them all together and to identify any gaps in my capsule wardrobe.   I then pulled several others that I thought might work with what I had already chosen and picked the last few garments.

Once I had the patterns I went shopping in my fabric stash.  I am so grateful that it is large enough for me to be able to do that at 8:30 pm while in my pajamas!  Much like how I picked the patterns, I went in the same order for fabrics; bottoms first, then tops, followed by toppers, and finally dresses.  I also laid all of these out next to each other with the intended pattern on top.  This allowed me to easily visualize what the wardrobe would look like sewn up.  I played around with the different combinations and other fabrics from my stash while continuously asking myself “Does this look like it came from the same person’s closest?” In the end I think I came up with a great collection that I will enjoy wearing and will mix well into my current wardrobe.

So, what did I pick?

Going in order of choice, for bottoms, I choose the Ginger Jeans from Closet Case Files. I wanted to keep my choice of bottoms pretty neutral since that is what I am comfortable wearing and it allows me to be more creative with my tops.   I am going to use the dusty pink stretch denim to make the skinny pattern version.  I have been getting more into colored denim over the last few years and I really am loving it.  It adds a little fun into what could easily be too boring of a neutral.  I am also going to make the flared version of these jeans with the dark stretch denim.  I want to make these with a little more of a seventies vibe, which means a deep cuff at the hem.  I haven’t purchased the flare expansion yet because I am still trying to decide if purchasing the ebook would be worth it for me.  Unfortunately, I haven’t found anyone yet who has used it to know how helpful it will be.  If you have it, let me know your thoughts on it!

Next up, tops!  This is the one I loved picking the most since it is the thing I sew the most.   I wanted this to be the category that made the boldest statement, so I choose lots of fun prints.  While they are all different prints and patterns, combined they all look like they could come from the same closet.  Starting with the bottom left is McCall’s 7093 version D, which I will be using the black and white abstract peach skin combined with black georgette.  Above that is Simplicity 2690 view C (OOP) in a plum lace printed chiffon.  While I haven’t made this pattern before, this style is one of my favorites on me.  Next to this pattern is Simplicity 1062, in a rose print polka dot chiffon with a black  knit back.  I am going to heavily modify this pattern, so it will not look like the envelope.  I want it to be short sleeved and a bit longer in length.  Finally, at the bottom right is McCall’s 7095 view D,  in a graphic black, gray, and white tree print silky solid. This is one that has been on my must make list since I saw it when it was first released.  I am now on the hunt for the perfect white lace for the yoke of this version.

Oh jackets, this was a surprising hard category for me to finalize.  I was certain that I wanted to make the Grainline Morris Blazer in a black solid sequin with a georgette lining.  This has been on my must make list since August.  August!!  Well now it is time to stop putting it off and get it sewn.  The other topper I want to make is Butterick 5616.  Originally, I was thinking of making a white denim version, to which I do not have the fabric for that.  Then I remember that fantastic lightweight army green wool I picked up last year.  That green wool looks great with all of the prints I picked for my tops too.

Finally, the dresses.  I originally thought I was going to use some bold prints I have stashed away for these, but when I put those prints next to all the other garments they just didn’t work for this capsule.  They were very fall inspired and I want this collection to be a little more of a transition into spring. The Cashmerette Appleton was another garment on my must make list.  I am going to make the 3/4 sleeve version in a heathered dark lilac jersey because I think that will work well with both jackets and still be strong on it’s own.  The final piece in the collection is Simplicity 1808 verions B in a coral jersey.  I love that this pattern is basic enough to wear with the two jackets I picked for this capsule, but also fit in with several other toppers currently in my wardrobe.

That is my plan for the garments to make.  Now on to plan out my sewing time to get it all accomplished within the two month time frame.  Of course, none of these are patterns I have sewn previously, so I still need to cut out the paper patterns and make muslins of the jackets and jeans before cutting into my fabrics.  I guess I know what I will be doing for the next few nights!

Are you joining in for the contest?  What is your plan?