January Recap

Hello everyone!

Today I am recapping what I sewed last month.  As you know, I have been on this journey to sew a stylish wardrobe this year.  To aid in this journey, I have adopted a sewing template from Alison Lumbatis' Get Your Pretty On "Closet Staples Wardrobe Builder." This is a yearly plan, and it provides a list of clothing, outfit combinations, and store links for shopping.  

Since this is a plan I purchased, I will share the pieces I am sewing, though I don't think it would be right to reveal the outfit combinations and other info without ruining all the work Alison has put into her product.  However, I will continue to share my experience with you, and how sewing all the pieces is working out for me. 

That said, get ready for a "TNT fest" because here are the pieces I sewed for January:

This is the Sewaholic Renfrew pattern done in a navy brushed sweater knit.  I chose the cowl version.  I have sewn the Renfrew many times before, and each view on the envelope has been successful for me.

Here is another Sewaholic Renfrew with the scoop neck option.  I needed a striped shirt, and had a similar one in my closet that had seen better days.  I immediately knew I would recreate it, and ended up with this version.

Once again, another Sewaholic Renfrew in a scoop neck.  This time I chose a gorgeous 1" wide rib knit from Boho Fabrics in Ivory.  Where have I been with Ivory and Cream?  They are not colors I wear often but I really liked the way this one turned out.  I even had the pleasure of wearing it to a Woman's event with one of my friends!

My next top is Kwik Sew 3766.  This was my first time working with this pattern, and I was extremely pleased.  I purposely chose TNTs or simple top patterns so that I could have a chance at finishing this wardrobe before Spring.  I can't believe this, but I had a really hard time finding basic designs with the Big 4!!! Kwik Sew ended up coming to my rescue with their designs. I even found a turtleneck pattern to try too.  

Once I fill in the holes for my best Basic patterns, I plan on using them year-round.  Then, after each season's capsule is complete, I will turn my attention to the "fun" items that I have been eyeing.

For my day dress option, I chose to go with the Colette Moneta in a black cotton/lycra knit.  I only have one little black dress in my closet, but it is dressier than I like to be in real life.  This version fits much better for casual wear, and I just love it!  I will probably do another version for warmer weather since it is such a versatile piece. 

Simplicity 8393 is my go to cardigan pattern.  I love this the pattern pieces so much that they have started to wear out. I really need to copy it on tag board soon.  You know what that means-- I WILL be using it to create LOADS of cardigans this year!  This one is already a fave! I made it in a charcoal ponte knit and the structure of this style is just what I need.

Last but not least, I made these! Yes, another pair of beloved Ginger jeans.  I will warn you now...there will be more pairs in the future so I hope you don't get tired of seeing them.  These pants in particular gave me fits though because I made them out of a STRETCHY Dark Moss Twill Bengaline from Hobby Lobby. I have always wanted to use Bengaline, and was extra curious about this fabric when I saw VivMom Sews make a pair of pants from this.

While I do think it was a good choice for pants, I could have easily gone down a size in order to compensate for all the stretch.  I was definitely careful to interface everywhere I needed to, and I even had to switch out the interfacing I used because my midweight interfacing kept pulling away from the fabric. 

Overall, I love how these turned out! They are my first pair of olive pants, and I can't believe I haven't ventured into other colors before!  

Here is a view on the inside:

Doesn't that just make you smile?  There's nothing like cute little pineapples on the inside of your pants!  

So that wraps up my sewing month for January!  1 pair of pants, 1 dress, 1 topper and 4 tops, for a total of 7 items.  In order to complete my winter sewing, I will sew 2 more tops, 2 toppers, and 2 pair of pants, at least.  Since some of the pieces will transition to Spring, and the weather will be changing soon, I will transition appropriately.

Thanks for reading!  I will be back by Friday to check-in on the progress of my first Make Nine jacket.  I finished the muslin and lining, and look forward to starting on my final jacket soon.  

Stay sew filled!