Friday, June 6, 2014

Spring Fever Sewing Plans!

Now that I'm finished with work travel until Labor Day - and boy has it been a brutal 5 months - I'm full of plans and sewing mojo. I normally know exactly what I'm sewing next as I finish a project, but finishing my McQueen jacket as I headed to London and knowing the weather was changing left me with a blank slate. I didn't get to all my winter projects, but at this time of year I tend to chuck previous sewing plans out the window anyway in a massive case of spring fever.

So here are a few of the things I want to sew in the next few months.

The Future Dress

From DaughterFish.com

I've been sort of obsessed with this Claire McCardell inspired dress since Christine of DaughterFish recreated it about two years ago. Thankfully, Christine did a thorough tutorial on how she drafted it. I have some rayon challis, which I think will be perfect for it.

A Not-A-Diaper-Bag for myself
This one was on the winter sewing list. Every year I knock out a diaper bag or two for a special friend who is expecting. Here's the one I made at this time last year for my dear friend Magenta. I think it was my best yet.


Butterick 5055, which I've made 3 times already

It always strikes me that with all the travel I do, I really don't have a fun weekender or carry-on bag that I love. So, I think it's time. I haven't decided on a fabric yet. I'm tempted to make it leather, but a little worried that leather might make the bag too heavy. We'll see.

More Wax Cloth
Pop Muse brought me three more pieces of wax cloth from his recent trip to Ghana. He had two demands: that I make a tote for Mom Muse from some of the blue and a dashiki style top for my youngest nephew (10.5 mos) out of the orange/gold one. I have no idea where I am going to find a suitable pattern, but I'll try. Holler if you have any ideas.  I may also make a caftan for my mom because, well, she' s awesome.




It's Bombshell Time
Yep. One year late to the party, I'm going to sew myself a Bombshell Swimsuit.



I plan to make it into a bikini a la Norma Kamali. There is a Muse family reunion with all aunts, uncles, cousins and the next generation of kids at a lake we used to go to as kids over the 4th of July weekend. So, it seems like a fun time to have a new suit. Maybe next year I'll sew a Nettie.

And Drape Drape



I received a copy of drape drape for Xmas this year. I think it's time to take it for a test drive.

More Generally
After all of the fitted garments I've sewn since September, I'm a little ready for change, and my recent Ralph Pink Hareem Pants have inspired me to experiment with volume a bit more than I normally do. I've been wearing them non-stop and have already sewn another pair (stay tuned for the reveal). So, expect to see some cool summer drapey items soon.

Also, in the non-drapey category, I'm currently almost finished with another version of V1314, the Tracy Reese ruched dress that I've sewn twice already and used parts of in my lace Sew Sexy dress.

So, there is a lot happening in the Craft Lounge. What seasonal garments are you working on? And, like me, do all your sewing plans change along with a change of seasons?

27 comments:

Clio said...

You have some really fun projects planned for the summer.

Clio said...

My plans definitely change with the seasons. I'd like to make that bag for myself too, though since it took some time I might put it on the back burner. Good luck with your plans! I love the Bombshell, but I really want to find a cute one-piece suit with regular straps. Every retro pattern out there seems to only offer halter straps.

Clio said...

I understand your obsession with the Daughterfish dress.

Clio said...

You have awesome plans! I have several pieces of tartan I need to turn into a winter dress and skirt, and other bits of fabric that need to be a coordinating jacket and skirt, and a nettie bodysuit pattern to play with and.... It goes on. And very subject to change!

Clio said...

Actually, I made a baby dashiki shown here:

http://badmomgoodmom.blogspot.com/2012/02/baby-dashiki.html

Do you want me to make a post/tutorial about how I altered a baby T pattern into a dashiki?

Clio said...

Have a look at Bad Mom's version of a child's dashiki, looks pretty good

http://badmomgoodmom.blogspot.ca/2012/02/baby-dashiki.html

Clio said...

As usual, I'm sewing a season or two ahead of what season it actually is, and sewing for the little ones in the family. Baby niece is getting several new bibs and a quilt, grandson and nephew's pjs are waiting on the cutting mat, I have some gorgeous felted wool, patent leather, and ostrich-embossed leather waiting to be made into handbags, and I picked up a few yards of deep, dark, brick red worsted wool for a Vogue suit pattern I've been meaning to get around to sewing! At the moment, I'm making my second Amy Butler Weekender bag (this one's actually for me).

Clio said...

Oh, I should make my sewing plans! I want some summer dresses and topS! And something from Drape-Drape too%)

Clio said...

But I cannot sew for next season%) I prefer the current one%)

Clio said...

Omg - You are awesome!!

Clio said...

Oooh! Ostrich leather! Sounds like you've got some awesome plans!

Clio said...

Good luck with the plaid matching!

Clio said...

IT'S ORANGE!!! :D

Clio said...

Look like some fun projects coming up for you! Would fake leather be lighter than real leather? I have aversion to leather bags for similar reason - weight. I should also join you in sewing less fitted garments. Fitting is driving me crazy!

As for sewing for the season, I'm so slow that any seasonal planning is useless. Things get finished when they get finished. Unless I'm sewing for Summer 2015, I'm unlikely to have summer wardrobe done any time soon! Sometimes I think maybe I should get a head start on Fall sewing at the beginning of Summer. Then I might have a realistic chance of finishing in time!

Clio said...

Love this list of goals! Can't wait to see what you do!

Clio said...

cannot wait to see ALL OF THESE but especially the bombshell, which i think you will rock. after seeing your travel kit i agree that you need a great cute bag! :-) (like i should talk, but, whatever...)

Clio said...

Hmm, I'm not sure about faux leather vs real when it comes to weight.


Yeah, I'm usually with you when it comes to seasonal sewing - I tend to miss the boat, too.

Clio said...

Even better!

Clio said...

Yeah, my travel kit is so utilitarian

Clio said...

Sometime in the 1990s, McCall's (I think) had a whole series of African-themed garments. Some of them look really authentic ... well, to a middle-aged White woman from the Bible Belt they look authentic. I bought all I could find; because the silhouettes were interesting, and some of the accessories packages had massive amounts of hard-to-find patterns for hats, bags, and vests. At least one of the patterns was for young teens, both boy and girl. I'll likely never use it. Shoot me an e-mail with contact info and I'll slip it in the mail.

Clio said...

Thanks so much Lin! You are the best. But the nephew in question is just 10 1/2 months (not years)! Even though he's a chunky monkey, I think young teen would still be a bit big. ;-)

I did manage to find a Made by Rae tunic top for toddlers to kids that I think will work - he should fit the smallest size. http://www.made-by-rae.com/2011/05/charlie-tunic-pdf-sewing-pattern-is-here/

Clio said...

I read "10.5" and assumed years, not months. Forgive me! The pattern is McCall's 6872, an Emeabe/Emeabe African Fashion from 1993. It is based on Nigerian traditional garb, so far as I can tell. You just know that baby needs some hammer pants and a loose man's robe!

Clio said...

Well, the hammer pants would go over the diaper well, wouldn't they? LOL And thanks for the offer, I shall take you up on it in 10 years or so....

Clio said...

Can't wait to see your Future Dress and more pairs of RP Hareem Pants. I have a pair I got off of Amazon, I love them despite the tragic fabric. I hope to rock them this summer.

Clio said...

The RP ones were a cinch to sew! I highly recommend them if you like the style.

Clio said...

So, I did see RP version and I opted not to get them because i didn't want to have to grade, so I figured would draft my own pair, since it's in my drafting book. I am aware that might sound odd. I also want less of a drop crotch, if that makes sense.

Clio said...

Dayum, some pretty cool projects here!

Torsten @ MightyTravels