[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The last sewing plan I made was about 2 years ago, though admittedly it was very short term and event focused. We were headed to the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender, and I really didn’t have much vintage or vintage-esque clothing to wear while I was there. I quickly put together a group of vintage patterns and knocked out 2 dresses and two circle skirts in about a month, including grading the dress and skirt patterns. I was still hemming the morning that we were due to leave, and yes, I burnt myself out and lost my sewing mojo as a result. I literally haven’t sewed anything in two years. I even moved most of my fabric out to sit in the garage!
How to get my sewing mojo back? That is the question! I ran across the ‘We Sew Retro’ and ‘We Sew Retro Sew & Tell’ groups on Facebook a few months ago, and the parade of lovely vintage makes across my computer screen helped to ease me back in the mood to sew again. Finally.
Earlier this week I picked up a couple of British sewing magazines (my favorite!) – Sew and Simply Sewing. Sew is a staple for me when I happen to be in the bookstore. They have great free patterns, and the pattern is usually something from one of the big pattern companies.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”1161″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”right” onclick=”img_link_large”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]Simply Sewing was a new one (to me at least), and the free Daisy Dress pattern they included was the first “I’ve got to make this now” thing to catch my eye. So, it’s the first thing added to my spring/summer sewing list. Simply Sewing also had instructions and a link to a downloadable pattern for a button up A-line skirt (the Lazy Day skirt from Sunday Sews). Cute, lightweight and easy wear? Yes, please – that’s next on my list.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”1164″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes” onclick=”img_link_large”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Back to the Sew magazine. Their pattern this month is Burda 6914, and in looking over the free patterns, I see a pattern (ha ha) – the necklines on both free patterns have pleats/pin tucks in an inverted ‘v’ at the neckline. The dress version of the pattern is probably too boxy for my body shape unless wearing it involves a belt of some sort, but I see the blouse version as another pattern for my sewing plan.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”1162″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes” onclick=”img_link_large”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”1163″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”right” onclick=”img_link_large”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]I’m thinking that 5 items would be enough of a stretch to get back into the swing of things. I have a retro blouse that I had started to work on before my sewing mojo departed, and I already have the fabric in a silky teal/blue floral pattern. The last item on my list is a pencil skirt in a brown suiting fabric from my tried-and-true, Burda 8155 pattern. I actually already had the lining and fabric cut out, as well as all the notions. All that’s left for me to do is just the actual sewing.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Last item to consider – colors and fabrics. I’ve been working with a teal, brown, red and gray palette, so I think I may continue along those lines. I’ll probably focus on a solid teal fabric for the dress, a patterned fabric in teal or blue for the top, and either a gray or pale blue linen or lightweight cotton for the a-line skirt. As I mentioned, one of the blouses and the pencil skirt fabric is ready to go – the teal floral for the blouse and a darker chocolate brown for the skirt. (Actually, I think those two were maybe meant to go together, come to think of it.) Both of the materials are lightweight enough that they can be a year-round clothing item.
The only question is, since cutting fabric is one of my least-favorite parts of sewing, will the Daisy Dress be the first item through my sewing machine? Or will it be the pencil skirt that I can just jump into without having to cut out any fabric?
Watch my Spring/Summer 2016 Sewing Plan take shape over on Pinterest. Want help creating your own sewing plan? Take my free 5-day Sewing with a Plan challenge![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]