I don't normally "do" New Year's Resolutions, after all, they never stick. But this one just has to be done. I'm replacing my wardrobe essentially. I'm going to huck out all the ill-fitting, old and worn out clothes and replace them with stuff that fits, is my taste and hopefully is cheaper than just going out and buying a new load of clothes. Certainly less trouble than trying on a thousand tops and dresses and shorts and pants just to get three that fit or look good.
So below is my first lot. I've gone shopping at the Spotlight After-Christmas sales and gotten a certain percentage off. My original thought was to make a nice hankerchief singlet top with wide straps for comfort (and to cover up bra straps, thereby increasing the number of bras that can be worn with because you don't have to worry about matching colour to thin spaghetti straps.
I couldn't find the exact pattern that I wanted (you know when you get that idea in your head that is just clear as day, you know what you're looking for?), so I got the closest couple of things. Below is a McCall's pattern for hankerchief tops. I'll be making pattern A for both materials.
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| Spotlight bargains for McCall's pattern M6121 |
The leafy material is a soft spandex, which I will use a pink thread matched to the darker pink frond leafs for contrasting pop, and I have bought matte charcoal grey metallic beads that I will hand bead a'la the first grey pictured pattern A top. I have slightly larger beads and smaller beads for a nice contrasting size. I decided against clear bling-like beads due to the pattern of the material. It would likely have been a bit too busy with sparkly beads, the matte and darker colouring of them will help to tone down the fabric and thread.
The red and white, almost American-patriotic material is a Jersey-Cotton mix, soft and stretchy in one direction. I think I'll try and use the stripes vertically, but it will depend on the width of the material vs how much the pattern demands (the pattern needs 150cm width and I think the material was only about 130cm). White thread so as not to detract from the overall pattern.
The second sets of tops are just a pattern that caught my eye when I was looking for the hankerchief singlet tops. I have bought two comfortable cotton materials that I think will look nice with my colouring and work well with the patterns. At a later date I might investigate using the patterns for the flowing pants as well, I must admit that I'm running short on comfortable pairs of pants that fit and can be worn out of the apartment (other than yoga pants, and there are some events that you just can't wear those to!).
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| Spotlight bargains for Butterick pattern B4238 |
First is a nice deep blue paisley material with a matching thread. I immediately thought of a paisely when I saw the pattern for the top D. What a plus that it was easy to imagine what the top would look like when the pattern example is blue too! I just have to work out how to make the tie for the side. I thought of just buying a cord but was carrying four bolts of cloth at the time and just wanted to get out of the shop, so put it off to a later date to investigate.
The last material that I bought was rather geometric with softer colours. I picked a darker thread so that it wouldn't stand out as much and ruin the pattern as a lighter one. If I sew straight across or diagonally it should just blend in with the already marked lines delineating the different triangles. This material is matched to the pattern for top A.
So there you have it. First project commenced for the year. I will update the progress by posts, let me know what you think in a comment below!
M xo
