Susan Sews a Mini-Wardrobe for a Pattern Review Contest


These are the 6 pieces I am making for the contest


The challenge is to create  a mini wardrobe or collection using a key piece which can be purchased or  already sewn. The other pieces must form at least 6 outfits.
The contest starts today. So today I will draft the patterns, and start cutting tomorrow.
 The Prize:
 $75.00 gift certificate for Vogue Fabrics and a free one-year subscription to Vogue Fabric Swatch service.

Why am I doing this? Well, it is fun, it  gives me a goal and a chance to win fabric, which is never a bad thing. But even better, I can wear nice clothes. Living in a resort in the tropics gets tiring in summer. And by the time the cool weather rolls around I want to trash all of my soft, cool, and shapeless gauze clothing.

 My collection is  Called Denim,Silk and Zippers.
 The Thai silk is to elevate the denim, and the denim is to add an edge to the silk.
Indigo denim, floral Thai silk with metallic resist. plum knit, cream knit
The fabrics:
 Thai silk floral
 Thai silk  rust solid
 Plum knit
 Cream knit
Indigo denim ( tropical weight)
 Here is a close-up of the silks:
Close-up of Thai silks
 
The Thai silks are part of a giant collection of silk sent to me by my so sweet and generous cousin Barb. I am not a real floral person, but these fabrics are luminous, crisp, luxurious and the colors are rich. By pairing the silk with the denim, I am adding an edge to the silk, and elevating the denim.

Coat dress, slim skirt and skort in denim
              The pieces:
 In Denim:
A coat dress, a slim denim skirt with a contrast panel of Thai silk and a denim skort.
 These are Lutterloh patterns that I will draft to my measurement for a perfect fit. All Lutterloh patterns are from their 2005 book.
 Dress : #128 Slim skirt #175 Skort #52
The slim skirt has a slit at the hem in the seam  where the contrast panel joins the skirt.
 The blouse has a zipper front. My plan is to expose the zipper and maybe combine two different colored zippers to make one. I don’t want the floral to look too traditional or sweet.
The pants will be rust silk, the skirt contrast panel & blouse in  floral
 In Silk:
 The contrast panel on the slim skirt(floral)
 The blouse ( floral)
 The pants ( rust)
  Blouse #174 , Pants #41
Look closely at the pants hem. there are zippers inserted in the front. They are completely decorative. I will expose them as well.
Knit:
 Jennifer Stern t-shirts
If time permits, a JStern tank  in cream
 This is not just  any t-shirt. This is a special design by Jenneifer Stern. Look closely at the pattern, it has a shaped yoke.
 This gives shape ans style to a basic wardrobe must-have. And for real women with breasts and flesh on their bones, this shape is flattering.
 Jennifer has a wonderful video class on how to construct this t-shirt. It can all be done on a serger.
Chambray  denim and light floral Thai silk in case I run out of fabric.
 
 Planning Ahead:
 In case I run out of indigo denim, I have these two fabrics as alternates. A lighter colored, but heavier denim ( good for chilly days in La Paz) and a lighter Thai silk floral. I will make the same Lutterloh blouse.

 The looks: 
 1. Denim dress
 2. Denim slim skirt and blouse
 3. Denim skort and plu T
 4. Denim skort and cream T
 5. Thai silk blouse and Thai silk pants
6 Thai silk pants and Silk blouse
7. Thai silk pants and cream T
8. Thai silk pants and plum T
9. Denim dress with cream tank
As I work through the process I will  post my progress, and any thing I learn ( like even better time-management) and interesting techniques.
Please help me stay motivate by leaving comments!

12 Comments

  • hmfoster

    Reply Reply September 2, 2012

    Looking forward to watching…and oohing and ahhing….

  • pegsewer

    Reply Reply September 2, 2012

    Love reading about your sewing plans. Beautiful fabrics!

  • Anonymous

    Reply Reply September 2, 2012

    Susan, I love your fabrics and your patterns. Your Mini Wardrobe is going to be terrific! nancy2001

  • Anonymous

    Reply Reply September 2, 2012

    How fun. I, too love your fabrics and your concept. I can't wait to see the results. you Insprie me. Ellen

  • sheryl

    Reply Reply September 2, 2012

    And when you're done, my wardrobe could really use a lift! (Will send measurements later) LOL!

  • Susan Fogel

    Reply Reply September 2, 2012

    Thank you for your kind words, Ellen, I'll see you in October.

  • Susan Fogel

    Reply Reply September 2, 2012

    Nancy, you are the one to beat.
    But you do inspire me.

  • Susan Fogel

    Reply Reply September 2, 2012

    I am sew looking forward to see what everyone does in this contest!

  • Susan Fogel

    Reply Reply September 2, 2012

    Helen, I'll Skype you with a fashion show…or you could come and visit and see for yourself!

  • Susan Fogel

    Reply Reply September 2, 2012

    Sheryl send over your measurements, I'll file them!!

  • Melissa

    Reply Reply September 3, 2012

    How fun! Love your concept and fabrics…you can be our Project Runway winner!!

  • BeaJay

    Reply Reply September 3, 2012

    Wow – LOVING your fabrics and colour combinations. Looking forward to seeing them made up – especially the Lutterloh. I have this system and only tried to use it once (but that was before I had successfully sewn much).

    Thanks for dropping by my blog.

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