Fall Essentials Sew Along – My Plan

So, I meant to post this a couple weeks ago, then I got whatever it is that’s been going around here. Yuck. I’m finally catching up.

What can I say? I’m a sucker for big projects, so when I fell across the 2014 Fall Essentials Sew Along, I thought “I should do that!” Because, you know, constructing a wardrobe from scratch isn’t enough or something.

I started by making a mock-up “Fall capsule wardrobe” idea board using Polyvore.

Naturally, I probably won’t make all of this! 😛 But it helped me to put together my ideas for projects for the Fall Essentials Sew Along.

1. Fashionable Foundations for Frosty Weather 

Trousers, skirts, leg warmers and more! Anything that keeps your lower portion fashionably cozy fits perfectly here! The chilly weather necessitates the donning of bifurcated bottoms and sassy skirts!

Vogue 8749 – the lightweight wool maxi skirt

For this skirt, I don’t exactly have a fabric in mind. If I can pull it off though, I’d love to use something like this:

It’s a wool crepe from Mood Fabrics. I think it would be rocking. This plaid is also quite nice:

We’ll see what I come up with in terms of making this skirt. I have a fabulous plaid – but I don’t think I have enough of it for this pattern. If I don’t find anything for it, I’ll probably just put it on the back burner until next fall. i want to try to use up my stash of fabric I already have before buying too much more fabric (easier said than done, I found some great stuff while thrifting today).

Then we have Butterick 4686:

I have a brown broadcloth I think would work great for this one for fall.

Simplicity 9825 – View E

D

I think this one will be a lot of fun. I have a tan flannel fabric and some fun fabric scraps that would work great with it.

McCall’s 6654

I came across an awesome knit fabric that will work great with this one. It’s magenta, black, and white.

McCall’s 6654 View G

I have a great argyle (black, grey and white) knit that will be amazing with this. I used it on another, similar skirt, and loved it…but that skirt somehow got lost among my many moves. So, it’s time to make a new and improved version!

You may remember this pattern, McCall’s 7022 from a few weeks ago when I took a look at the fall patterns. I haven’t decided if I will use it or Simplicity 2154 for this amazing orange tweed yardage I found at the Salvation Army a few weeks ago. I’m sort of torn between the two. To be honest, I think the Simplicity pattern is winning that battle.

I also am thinking about some pants. I just purchased Vogue 9032.

I’m thinking a chocolate brown would be great for this.

I also have Vogue 8836 that I’d LOVE to do in a fall color – a deep rich jewel tone.

LOVE it!

I want to do up some leggings to wear under tunics, skirts, and dresses as well, so I picked up McCall’s 6173.

I plan on using solid colors in fall colors – probably red, brown, cream, and a jewel tone plus black. Yep, that’s a lot of leggings…but legs get cold!

2. Chic Chemises for Cool Climates 

Blouses, tops, vests, cardigans, and sweaters! These wardrobe essentials can carry you from day to night, not to mention provide necessary layering to keep out the chill.

I’ve been doing so much thinking about bottoms, especially skirts. It’s only natural that I should focus on shirts too!

McCall’s 7018

I think I want to do this in a brown and a burgundy/deep red. I currently have some red knit fabric, which may work.

Vogue 1412

I have some great golden/champagne colored fabric that would look great with this pattern.

McCall’s 6035

I have some fun fall-themed vintage fabrics that would work great for this shirt. I’m thinking I’ll probably do it in the cream and leave the brown to Simplicity 6373 view 4

I want to do some knitting, but I haven’t yet done a sweater. I was thinking I’d take Craftsy’s “My First Sweater” Class and see how that goes for me. Speaking of sweaters, I need to finish Crocheting baby girl’s sweater! So many projects!

3. Fabulous Frocks

Dresses of all styles; mini, midi, or long! Keep yourself warm in your modish designs, layering with tights and boots!

You knew it was coming…Butterick 6094 I want to do this one in gray.. I LOVE this dress. I think it will get a lot of use.

McCall’s 7014 in this great brown flannel I have will be a nice addition to my closet as well.

McCall’s 6612 – I’ve gotta do a maxi-dress. I just have to decide on a fabric for it.

Butterick 5950 – This is a fun one, and I think I’ll be able to do a lot with it, emaciated supermodel put aside. Hello, this dress was made for curves!!!!

Finally, even though it’s a bit late, I want to get in on the wrap dress train for the Curvy Sewing Collective Wrapalong.

So I’ll do Vogue 8784 for it. I have a few fabrics in mind that I think might work…I’ll have to make final decisions about it 🙂

I’ll probably work on at least one or two dresses to start with, since it’s also Frocktober with The Monthly Stitch.

4. Underneath It All

When you’re spending months covered from the neck down, a glamorous underpinning of your choice adds a secret, luxurious touch that chases the cold away!

I want to make at least one or two slips to wear under dresses and skirts and a couple of camisoles for wearing under shirts.

5. Tender Tootsies

Let’s not forget your frosty feet! Socks, slippers and the like are the order of the day. Keep those tootsies warm and dry!

I’m probably not going to bother with this. I am tempted by the sock knitting class at Craftsy…so we’ll see.

6. Those Cozy Nights

Is there anything better than snuggling up in a cozy pair of pajamas with a hot drink and a book whilst Jack Frost works his magic outside? I think not! Sleepwear of all types are the way to go here!

I’d love to make some pjs from some of the fabrics I see on Spoonflower…but I think I’m going to hold off on this at the moment. I really need clothes to wear so I can get out of my pjs. 🙂

7. Baby It’s Cold Outside

Coats, hats, and mittens donned to keep the cold at bay, especially when out enjoying the spectacular fall colours!

I really want to make Butterick 5927 – but it may wait until later.

I will do Butterick 5926 in a maroon knit.

If I find myself in need of something else to do, I want to do Vogue 8346 in a brown tweed as well.

I think I have my work cut out for myself. I’m not going to be too disappointed if I don’t get to everything on here. There’s  a lot going on at the moment. I do think it will be fun to try my hand at doing this though!

Are you taking the challenge?

Now…as I mentioned, I’m heading to the fabric store this weekend. I’m grabbing the notions I’ll need for things I’m going to make where I already have the fabric. I’m excited!