I’ve signed up to be a part of Stitcher’s Guild June Capsule Contest. The idea is to make a wardrobe capsule of four garments and one accessory during June. One item must be a top, one item must be a bottom and no black! I’ve already decided what I’m going to make:

Skirt – choc brown wool blend fabric, with a split centre front and back to show a gathered underlay of chiffon (or similar). I saw a skirt like this last year, asking $$$$$, and decided to make my own but I just haven’t gotten around to it yet.

Trousers – I need heaps more trousers for work! At this point I’m planning on making them out of a gorgeous dark olive green fabric I’ve seen at Addicted to Fabric. I’ll be using Vogue 1040 as the pattern.

Top 1 – A knock-off of a top I saw in the latest Undercoverwear catalogue. I have to draft the pattern myself for this one, a v-neck tunic style top to just under the bust, with a fitted ribbing body in a contrasting colour. I have an orange/pink/tan fabric that matches perfectly with a choc brown ribbing I have.

Top 2 – A blue/purple/cream almost-paisley patterned fabric, using a crossover top pattern Butterick 5084.

For the accessory I expect (although this could easily change!) to make a necklace using brown, olive and cream beads.

I really need more office clothes for work, so this will be a great opportunity to make some and have some fun with others sewing at the same time!

A few weeks ago I made two tops, out of cheap fabric to check the pattern fitting. The first one was a disaster, waaaay too big! (Silly me, I followed the pattern sizing!) The second one turned out well, after I ignored the pattern sizing and just made it in a size that looked right!

I had to add a ‘modesty panel’ partly to cover up and partly to keep the crossover front pieces sitting nicely. The fabric is very stretchy and drapey. I bound the edges, including the hem and sleeves with a coordinating plain purple jersey.

I quite like this top and will be making this pattern again, with a better fabric, now that I know it fits!

Found this great blog that is posting links and tutorials for handmade gifts every day in November. Sew! Mama! Sew! Brilliant!!! I want to make one of the rag rugs, just need a lot more hours in my day….