How I Plan a Seasonal Wardrobe #3

This was a real workhorse outfit during the last late winter/early  spring season.  The fabric is from emmaonesock (#40900), a poly/cotton/elastane combo that promises to wear quite well.  I had actually made the pants in 2015, using Vogue 8929, which I love for the pockets in the front.  I wore them with the Italian animal print laminated linen (which I blogged about 5/31/16) at the American Sewing Guild 2015 National Conference Fashion Show.

The jacket pattern is Butterick 6258, with some changes.  I shortened it to mid-thigh length, a style I first saw in the shop windows in Florence in the fall of 2014.  I widened the band which forms a collar of sorts and continues down the front, as the proportions looked better.  And I added pockets, well, because a girl just can't have too many pockets.  I'm going to use this pattern again, as it went together very quickly and has been a pleasure to wear.

I made this top from a TNT pattern, Vogue 8636, in a cotton jersey from Mood Fabrics.  It's superb quality and still available--#305972.  Good quality cotton jersey is increasingly hard to find, so if the colors fit into your wardrobe, I highly recommend getting some.  What has been your "workhorse" outfit this spring?

Capsule Wardrobe, Italy 2015, #8

This top was made from a cotton/lycra knit, from Mood Fabrics.  It travels well, and has held up through several machine washings.

The pattern is Simplicity 1463.  Fortunately I consulted PatternReview.com, and basted up the sides first.  The width across the neckline and bustline was huge, so I took the sides in about 4" total.  I had to make a tuck in the neckline, which kinda works with the stripe.  The sleeve bands were way too tight, and they had to be cut about 2" bigger. 

This is the type of top I like to wear out and about during the day in Italy.  If the temperature soars it can stand alone, although most of the time I wear it with the jacket in Capsule Wardrobe, Italy, 2014, #1. 

Another Vogue 8636 in a Silk/cotton Knit

Here's another great fabric from emmaonesock.com.  It's a silk/cotton/lycra mix and behaved beautifully on my 2015 trip to Italy. You can read about it by putting the fabric number (47292) in the search box on the fabric web-site.  

I used Vogue 8636 again, adding black jet beads to hold the tucks down.  When it came time to finish the edges with the twin-needle hem, I made certain to get a new very fine point needle.  This fabric is surprisingly warm for being so lightweight.  

I wash it by hand, because of the fiber content and the beading.  "Washability" is another factor I consider when choosing what goes into the suitcase, as everything gets worn three or four times.  This top is another that goes with the jacket in my original Capsule Wardrobe.

How I buy patterns

Here's another top made from Vogue 8636, a Marcy Tilton design.  I like that the neckline can be "snugged up" with the tucks.  I generally cut a size 10 at the shoulder and neck, and then grade up to a 14-16 at the hips, to fit my "petite-pear" body type.  I also cut it a bit longer than the pattern calls for and wear it more like a tunic, generally under a "boyfriend" style cashmere sweater.

Unfortunately the pattern is now OOP (out of print), but you can still buy it here (at a hefty price!) or from Amazon, at a somewhat lesser price.  I try to buy patterns when they first come out, watching for the periodic sales at Joann's or through Club BMV.

The fabric is another wonderful cotton knit from Italy, sold by emmaonesock.com.  Good cotton knits are hard to come by these days, so when I see a piece in one of my color families, I snatch it up. 

Welcome to my home in Italy!

Here's what I wear out and about during the fall.  Days are crisp in the mornings, warming up in the middle of the day.  I wear layers, and carry a bag big enough to stash the top layer in when I take it off.  Here's the animal print sweater coat I made from emmaonesock's online-fabric store.  It's lightweight and fits well into a suitcase.