Seasonal Sew Wardrobe Sewalong

One of the Facebook groups I belong to is a Sewalong group. They have previously done a monthly sewalong of a specific pattern, but earlier this year put forward a wardrobe sewalong.

The start date and format were similar to a Pattern review contest, but rather than the 2 month time frame over there, this sewalong had a more sensible (to me) four month time frame.

The general premise was that in the time period you sew up 8 pieces that can be worn with each other. No orphan garments here please!

I started with a big list of patterns that wanted to make, and then loosely decided that I would follow a 2 dresses, 2 tops, 2 bottoms, 2 toppers plan to make up my wardrobe.
I also decided I would like to try and make it all from stashed patterns and fabric.

Style Arc Toni Designer Dress

Maven French Dart Shift Dress

Itch to Stitch Hepburn Turtleneck

Hot Patterns Breton Tee

Sewing Rabbit Cowl Sweatshirt

Swoon Scarf Neck Cardigan

Style Arc Allison Skirt

Trousers from my trouser block

 With a few patterns swapped in and out over the course of the sewalong, I finished up my 8 piece wardrobe and kept to the plan!
All of the fabric is from my stash, and only one of the patterns, the French Dart Shift, was purchased after the sewalong began, so I'm calling that a win!!

This has been a fun experience, and these pieces are already getting a good workout in my wardrobe.

Style Arc Allison Skirt

I recently made up the Allison skirt by Style Arc, a pattern I've had in my stash for a while. I was intrigued by how the pleats were made so they weren't bulky.

When I finally got to printing out the pattern, I have to say the pattern pieces are odd looking!
While it wasn't at all difficult, it did require some fabric origami to achieve. Once I had that figured out, it was reasonably quick and painless.

I used a royal blue merino I've used previously, and am happy with how it came out.

Worn here with my turtleneck to create a faux dress

The only alterations I made were to lengthen the back and shorten the front, which seem to be standard alterations for me with my prominent bottom and tilted waist.

I would like to try this again in something a little weightier, perhaps a ponte.

Style Arc Mindi Skirt

Waayyy back, last winter, on our Sewing Retreat I tested out a bunch of patterns, including the Style Arc Mindi Skirt.

I went with the longer length, and decided not to insert the pocket zips, but otherwise as drafted.

As has been my experience with all the Style Arc patterns I have made, this went together beautifully. The instructions were brief, but certainly sufficient for making a successful garment.

 This is a skirt I would wear with tights in the winter, but would need to add a little length to the back to account for my prominent bottom, as it isn't sitting very level at the moment. None the less, a successful test run.

Hot Patterns 2003 Weekender Breton Tee

This is a pattern I first tried a really long time ago, and then never got around to making again with the slight adjustments I decided would benefit it.

I pulled it again recently, after having found a nice striped fabric that I thought suited it.

The adjustments I made were to go down a size in the neck and shoulders, and then blend out to the previous size from the bottom of the armscye. This meant I made the sleeves a size smaller too.
I also added a small round back adjustment.

I love it! and have worn it loads already.

Women's Cowl Neck Sweatshirt

Is it just me, or does everyone have a sewing unicorn? - you know, that elusive sewing pattern where you kind of know what you want, but can't quite find the exact right thing you imagined.

For me it was a sweatshirt / jersey that had the potential to be slouchy and comfy, or more dressy casual depending on the fabric used.

I have tried out A LOT of patterns in search of this elusive garment, and followed many links to many more links.

And so it was that I found a free pattern on a website for a Cowl Neck Sweatshirt. It looked like it had potential, and hey it was free!, so why not give it a go.

I found some minky backed sweatshirting in deep stash, and cut it out. The pattern went together well, and the instructions were clear and had good photos to back them up.

I wasn't expecting too much, as it looked quite boxy, but OMG, I really like it!!