Too much happened last year for me to sum it up in one blog post (quittingmyjobandmovingtoanothercountrytostudy sort of stuff). Instead, I’m looking ahead.
Come January, I will have gone a whole year without buying any RTW clothes. I took the seamless pledge in August in order to make it official, so I have no intention of stopping now. I’m p.r.e.t.t.y darn pleased with myself, as I never thought I’d be able to do it. But if I’m honest, my wardrobe has suffered. Despite making 35 pieces of clothing last year, there are still a lot of gaps.
I’ve realised that when you’re making all your own clothes, you need a plan (I know, I’m late to the party). My strategy has so far been ‘ooh that’s a pretty dress pattern’ or ‘ooh that’s a pretty flowery fabric’ and not thought much about wearability. Therefore, my wardrobe is suffering of a lack of nice everyday casual clothes. I now have a plan to fix this…
This Christmas was spent in Shropshire at my in-laws, where thanks to a lot of sofa time, I started doing some some research and planning. It’s far from over, but I’ve started gathering ideas for useful things that I need on Pintrest. The collection is focused around casual items that I know I like and wear, such as oversized tees, sweatshirts and shirts.
Click to view on Pintrest
I also want to make a few skirts that can work both as casual and going-out wear. I’ve got a few patterns in store that I want to make, including Colette’s Zinnia skirt (below left) and Sewaholic’s Hollyburn skirt (below right).
Click to view on Pintrest
The big project I’m planning to undertake is making a pair of Ginger Jeans. I pretty much live in jeans, and if I want to go memade all the way I better learn how to make them. I’ve already got fabric and notions lined up – a little bit scared, but I’m sure it will be fine (please tell me it will be fine!!).
So, I’ve got a general idea of what kind of shapes and garments I want to go for. Keywords are oversized, comfortable and relaxed. I’m going to do my darndest to stay away from pretty dresses, which despite being so much FUN to make, doesn’t exactly get loads of wear when you’re a poor student who spends money of fabric rather than going to glam parties. Priorities people!*
Now, what fabrics to buy? Last January when Sarai launched her Wardrobe Architect series, I wasn’t confident enough a sewer to take part, but now it’s looking like it’s going to come massively in handy. I’ll be working through this over the next week or so to nail colour and fabric choices. My aim is to come out at the other end with detailed plan in place for what fabrics to buy for what garments.
I’m the kind of person who needs shit written down before I go shopping, or I’ll end up standing there in front of rows and rows of fabric, having completely forgotten what I planned to buy. List, I gotta have lists.
Wish me luck peeps! And Happy New Year! Hope you all have an excellent year ahead of you :)
*Yes, I feel old. We went to a cool and hip Copenhagen nightclub on New Years Eve. What happens? I run into my very merry 20 year old nephew…
We The Sewing 
Good luck with your sewing and studying adventures this year! Hope your lists help you construct your perfect wardrobe ; )
Thanks love – you too :) Am looking forward to seeing how your coat turns out!
Looks like you have some great plans!
Thanks! Now let’s hope I stick to it. Always the tricky bit, isn’t it?!
I love your sewing resolutions, you have such great style! I did the Wardrobe Architect series too a few months ago and it was a real eye-opener!
I have never heard of the wardrobe architect. Really pleased you have introduced it to me. Lots of interesting reading. Love the way you have planned things out to fill the gaps. You have made me realise that I should do something similar, instead of my normal haphazard way. Far too much of what I sew rarely gets worn on a regular basis.
Such stylish plans you have. I’ve been thinking about the Wardrobe Architect ideas too, and looking at strange colour analysis websites to figure out what shades I “should” wear… Now I need to actually sew something! Happy New Year!
This is basically the opposite of my plan for the year! I am in desperate need of pretty dresses and never have any luck finding what I want in RTW. For me, this is the year of fitting and pretty, though maybe I’ll squeeze a Linden in there somewhere too :)
I can’t wait to see what you choose!
So nice! As much as I have a ‘plan’, I’d still love to make more pretty stuff. Have fun :)