Tag: sewing plans

Changing Up RTW and Wardrobe Planning

Lately I’ve been planning on (or at least thinking about) what I want for the upcoming Fall/Autumn season. summer sewing is now complete. Not all the things I wanted to make got done, but I’m ok with that. Several tops did get made this season. So this post is about how I’m changing up some RTW and how I’m wardrobe planning.

Some tops I made this summer

Plans

Now I want to focus on making some pants. One pattern that I’m about to start is this one from Seamwork (you can sign up for the online magazine using my link, if you like).

Seamwork Ani line drawings
Seamwork Ani pants

These are a tapered pant which is a little different style for me. But I’ve already gotten the PDF put together, so now it’s time to make the mock-up and take it from there.

I’ll decide on some other types/styles of pants as time goes on. And I really want to make a classic black dress.

Changing up RTW pjs

As for changing up some ready-to-wear (RTW), I made some changes to some short pjs I bought from the Nordstrom anniversary sale.

Here is the original I bought:

Moonlight shorts pajamas

Because they were so short , but so comfortable, I wanted to keep them. I needed to make them a bit longer for my own comfort level. So, I added about a 4″ insert into the shorts. Here’s what I did:

  • I cut the bottom hem/band off of each leg with a bit of seam allowance (1/2″)
  • I cut 4-4″ strips of the fabric I wanted insert
  • Using a narrow seam allowance, I attached those to each leg
  • I had to “remake” the crotch because the shorts were so short, there wasn’t much room
  • Then I reattached the bottom hem

The original shorts are knit fabric. The insert is a woven fabric.

Here is the result:

Altered Moonlight pj shorts

Now I have a truly unique pair of pajamas! And they fit the way I want. Sometimes we have to use our sewing powers to make RTW fit the way we want! 😂 ✂️

You can keep this process in mind to change up something you might have in your own closets.

Until next time…

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My 2021 Sewing Plans

Happy New Year (it’s not too late to say that. It’s still January-LOL)! Although I did a video about my 2021 sewing plans (here), I really wanted to write a blog post about it too. I want to share some sewing goals/ideas with you and the best way to hold myself accountable is to write it out.

I wrote a list, in no particular order, of what I want to do or work on this year. This will be the year I make a jumpsuit or “aviator” style jumpsuit. Over the past few years I have talked myself out of it. But maybe, this is the year – I hope! I actually just bought a McCall’s pattern (M8046-Trudy) that has a long and short version.

This pattern I recently purchased features a biker jacket.

M8121 pattern envelope front

I have a BurdaStyle pattern that I’ve made before that I really love. That blog post is here. So that’s another great option. One thing I realize is that I love making things like jackets and jeans. They can take more time to fit, but it’s such a great feeling once I’ve completed a project like this.

woman wearing BurdaStyle moto jacket

At this time, most of my project thinking is going into cold winter days and into Spring. Since I never know how long it’s going to take me to get to a particular project, I like to think ahead.

I have plans for another shirtdress as well. Since it’s is such a versatile garment, I’ll add one to my wardrobe. There are many patterns (and I have more than a few), so I have endless options. And I hope to make a maxi dress at some point this year as well.

As always, my goal is to improve garment fit. That’s an ongoing process as bodies change. I learn so much with studying how different things are made. Paying attention to the construction can really help.

This is just a quick look at what I plan to do this year. I will share with you throughout the year what specifically I’m sewing.

Do you have any sewing plans or goals you’re working on this year?

Let me know in the comments. I always love to know what others are working on!