In concert with the current trend of Sewing With A Plan (SWAP), written about in Australian Stitches Magazine, August 2000, and on the Timmel Fabrics website: http://www.timmelfabrics.com/wardrobe.htm--
I started my SWAP about a year ago with the colors black, red, burgandy/wine, and gray (with a touch of leaf green and white). I have fabrics ready-to-go to complete this grouping, but I also found a number of ready-to-wear (RTW) pieces on sale to expedite the success of the project. For those that have put together a SWAP, don't you love being able to quickly put together a coordinated outfit for work, church, or other events? Having a collection that all fits together means you don't have to decide ahead of time what you will wear and make sure it's all presentable. If one is in the wash, another will do! Wow! I have never had this kind of convenience before—it really makes a difference for me. No more standing in the closet and wondering, “Well, what can I wear today?” Regarding the accessories-- shoes, jewelry, and a few scarves—I looked for sales on accessories to go with a SWAP. When this collection is finished, I plan to add additional jewel toned items to expand the colors of the collection. Being a WINTER in skin/hair coloring, jewel tones look best on me.
The only downside to the SWAP plan is not having the same level of flexibility with other wardrobe items. I started a new little musical job, part-time on Sundays, and I find myself mostly wearing my SWAP items to this job. I really do have other clothes, but I just enjoy my SWAP wardrobe.
I have made one Park Bench pattern (see photo above--click on photo for larger image), the #5 Griffith Park Swirl Skirt http://www.parkbenchpatterns.com/5.html. If you are not familiar with this independent pattern company, the patterns are all the same size—designed for women between the sizes of 12 – 18 or so. This particular pattern is a paneled skirt that is similar to other company's patterns. It contains just one pattern piece that is repeated to form the paneled skirt. You can add or subtract panels to increase or decrease the size. This panel skirt has a scalloped or swirled edge at the hem line (not very obvious in the photo). While I probably won't make another skirt from this pattern, I like having this novelty in my SWAP collection as an occasional extra. By using a varigated set of fabrics for the skirt panels, you can experiment with different effects when you slide the panels around your waist, since the skirt fits the same with any placement of the panels. Not pictured here is a dolman sleeved blouse I made that matches the floral print in the skirt.
C Marie (Carolyn) of “Diary of a Sewing Fanatic” blog had a poll recently about what is one of your sewing trademarks. I commented that mine is probably that I frequently make some kind of design change to a pattern. With this swirl skirt, I added red crepe and yellow/white gingham swirl patches to the design of the skirt to allow for more SWAP items to be worn with the skirt.
The only downside to the SWAP plan is not having the same level of flexibility with other wardrobe items. I started a new little musical job, part-time on Sundays, and I find myself mostly wearing my SWAP items to this job. I really do have other clothes, but I just enjoy my SWAP wardrobe.
I have made one Park Bench pattern (see photo above--click on photo for larger image), the #5 Griffith Park Swirl Skirt http://www.parkbenchpatterns.com/5.html. If you are not familiar with this independent pattern company, the patterns are all the same size—designed for women between the sizes of 12 – 18 or so. This particular pattern is a paneled skirt that is similar to other company's patterns. It contains just one pattern piece that is repeated to form the paneled skirt. You can add or subtract panels to increase or decrease the size. This panel skirt has a scalloped or swirled edge at the hem line (not very obvious in the photo). While I probably won't make another skirt from this pattern, I like having this novelty in my SWAP collection as an occasional extra. By using a varigated set of fabrics for the skirt panels, you can experiment with different effects when you slide the panels around your waist, since the skirt fits the same with any placement of the panels. Not pictured here is a dolman sleeved blouse I made that matches the floral print in the skirt.
C Marie (Carolyn) of “Diary of a Sewing Fanatic” blog had a poll recently about what is one of your sewing trademarks. I commented that mine is probably that I frequently make some kind of design change to a pattern. With this swirl skirt, I added red crepe and yellow/white gingham swirl patches to the design of the skirt to allow for more SWAP items to be worn with the skirt.
1 comments:
I like the idea of being able to wear the skirt in different positions with different colors in front.
I like your color choices - we have the same coloring, so I'm drawn to the same colors.
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