I’ve begun the monumental task of sewing my winter wardrobe. I’m using the pattern (Simplicity 3887) that I used for summer blouses, using two versions of long sleeves. Three shirts will have loose long sleeves and five will have long sleeves gathered with elastic at my wrists. It took forever to determine the correct length for the gathered sleeves, because I’m petite and the pattern is not (which is why I have to alter the neckline, too.). I ended up taking up the long sleeve 2 inches.
Here’s how it started. I’ve noticed the air getting cooler in the morning (high 60’s). I know that once we get cold air, I won’t have anything “new” or that fits to wear to work. I knew it was time to get started on my winter wardrobe. I looked at Old Navy. The clothes were adorable, but not right for my body (or wallet).
I went to JoAnn’s. Silky fabrics were 40% off. I went crazy and picked 10, later skimming down to 8. When picking fabrics, I noticed brand new bolts, still wrapped in plastic, on shelves under the displayed silky fabrics. Needless to say, I sat on the floor and peeked at each one, opening several (tearing off the plastic), and finding awesome fabrics! I figure that what I did was helpful to the store workers, who were probably too busy to put the new fabric out, seeing the long lines at the checkout and cutting table.
What helped my wallet (besides the 40% off) was that when I went to use my 15% off teacher card (I’ll wear these at school, so they count for the teacher discount in my book), I was told that I needed a new one, because they expire every year. I got my new card, complete with a 20% off the entire order coupon. Hooray! My receipt said that I saved $85 today!! In all, I calculated that each shirt (I will make 8 if I don’t go crazy first) will cost me about $10 each. That’s quite a good deal! Plus, I’m getting fantastic patterns and fabrics, unlike the black, yucky stuff you find in retail stores.
Anyways, I’m doing an assembly line with the eight blouses. I’m currently cutting out the sleeves (3 loose around the wrist and 5 to-be-gathered at the wrist with elastic). I’ve already cut out the interfacing for the neckline. I’ve got a labeled spot on my sofa bed for each pattern piece. I’m two hours into The Sound of Music, of which I keep stopping to rest (cutting out fabric on the floor is not kind to the back), eat, or watch my favorite parts of the movie.
Five of B shirt, without the ribbon; 3 of B shirt/D sleeves
I'll make this style of blouse with long sleeves
These three will be for the long, flowing sleeves
Cutting out 3 fabrics at once
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In preparation for school starting up again, I wanted to make some warm weather skirts that were also a modest length. This skirt pattern involves a front and back panel that you sew up the sides.
