I can relate to so many of the points you made! Layering has always been a key element for me, and I do have a good collection of thrifted jackets. I hope your Jean jacket turns out well and you get lots of wear out of it. Regarding colors, yes! While I don't want a whole new wardrobe every season, my skin is quite pale in winter and black looks great, but come spring I am ready for navy, a cool olive green, etc. It is so helpful to keep notes and reflect on what worked/what we were missing at the end of the season. Trying to reiterate wardrobe workhorses has worked well for me. Trying to hone in on why some pieces work so well. I have a light denim midi skirt that I made years ago and it gets so much wear, I need to make a new version asap before the old one needs to be retired!
Hi Bri. I love your mood board. It's got a great vibe. When you were showing fabrics I was thinking the stretch denim with the embroidered denim could make a fantastic jacket together. I've spent February working on a memory quilt about my mom. I took a free motion quilting class at the beginning of the month and am almost ready to start stitching the top and batting together. I'm using all nature designs and will be stitching impromptu (although I'm drawing out the designs, which are my own, as practice). There will be hearts, matilija poppies (a California native that does not grow anywhere else), roses, violets, books, an egret and wind eddies, and dragonflies. The fabrics in the quilt are a soft watercolor floral with earthtones and pastels (an unusual combo), a batik in taupe and redwood tones with ferns, and a white batik with ghost small blue flowers that are ever so faint. You're going to have a fun spring, Antonia
Bri! You always manage to go a bit deeper and make us really think. It's wild how sticky those style 'rules' can be. Wear all the layers! Wear what makes you feel amazing! There's an Itch to Stitch denim jacket pattern with bust cup sizes that I've been eyeing. You've probably already considered it, but it looks like a good option with lots of shaping seams. Good luck on that journey! I really appreciate your approach, and I look forward to seeing whatever you make with these fabrics and with your inspiration in mind. I think you are the best advertisement for the Seamwork Design your Wardrobe Course. You make me want to join in and make an abstract, inspiring moodboard! (BTW, there were 6 ads in this video. Don't know if it's you or RU-vid, but it really broke up the flow 😬)
Thanks! And yes, I am thinking the Itch to Stitch Atenas 😉. Thanks for letting me know, six is a lot for a 30 minute video. RU-vid and I are fighting about other Adsense issues so I need to contact them anyway.
i know exactly what you mean about waistbands fitting differently depending on if you're standing or sitting. i have that same issue wearing belts over dresses--i have to tighten them when i walk around or they look low-slung but then i have to loosen them when i sit or they dig in. you can't win!
Oh it was your moodboard Seamwork shared, so lovely. I like a check or stripe in those prettier colours to lean into a less girlie vibe ! Really enjoyed this Bri, thank you. When things are dark remember we arent buried, we are planted ! Look forward to your plans 😊 Ive just finished a striped Heather blazer ...it took me 4 goes with both sleeves and I havent forgiven it yet!😂😂
Interesting to hear about this part of your process, as it's very different from my own. I've never actually done a mood board; I might try it some day. I can see how making the mood board could be a very creative and enjoyable project in itself, and yours is very pretty. I'm drawn to thinking about planning more in terms of specifics and practicality rather than mood/vibe/ feeling. I like to approach wardrobe planning from the perspective of problem solving; it doesn't sound very romantic putting it that way, but it's creatively stimulating and useful to me. I'm looking forward to your video showing how you translate the more abstract concepts to firmer ideas and options (and how it might tie in with your Make Nine menu)
It definitely will get more concrete and practical very soon! I used to skip the mood board cuz I thought it seemed silly, but I’ve found it a really fun, creative endeavour in itself.
When you were talking about the skirt and needing an elasticated waist but not necessarily wanting the look of it, it made me think about the Meriam trousers by Cashmerette, they have a really ingenious design but I'm scared to make pants and the pattern is not really my cup of tea... the waist really is, though!
Denim jacket! This topic makes me emotional because the first denim jacket that fit me in my entire life is the one I made in 2022: the thayer jacket ❤ I sewed mine without the lining, and it has great seams for fitting adjustments. I sewed 2 other thayers after that one: a shorter denim, and a linen one. I encourage you to check this pattern out 😊 Your reflections are what make your channel be my favourite. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Omg. Narrow shoulders and broad back. That's me too. I struggle to find patterns I haven't needed to adjust. What patterns have you found that you haven't had to change? I don't have a big bust though. It's not small either. I would love to know if any companies blocks work for you. I will definitely look into them❤❤
I can relate to many things you shared. I also found the style workshop to be very helpful. I enjoyed hearing your thoughts and seeing your mood board. Thank you!
I have the exact same issue with skirt waistbands. I find it SO uncomfortable wearing skirts/pants that are too tight when sitting because I sit at a desk for work and know I just won't be able to wear them if they're not comfortable (I get bloated & end up in pain if something is too tight). I've mostly made skirts that are about 1 size bigger so they're a little loose around my waist when standing because I don't like the look of a fully elastic waistband on me. You could potentially do a flat waistband at the front with an elasticated back. I haven't spent the time figuring out what those measurements would look like at this stage but that could be a good solution.
I also have cord fabric in my stash - in my case it wasn't really the colour I was expecting when it turned up. My best colour is chartreuse towards the acid green rather than mustard, and this is definitely closer to mustard than the website photo suggested. I think I can still wear it though and it should still fit in with the rest of my wardrobe, but it being so far from what I expected has really stalled me. I'm hoping to make a Pattern Scout Hana pinafore dress with it for the spring if I can get myself moving!
I have been seeing a lot of baby clothes. My daughter is having a girl after 3 boys. So I have been having fun using up scraps from other projects to make things for my new grandbaby. I also made my first bag, a bum bag with a zipper! Both on my make 9 for this year. A really cruddy mental health month has led to more time in sewing for me. I love your mood board. The colors are really pretty and exactly what I pictured when you were expose your vibe.
Cool! I have not ventured into much bag making but it seems so cool. I’m sorry this month has been a struggle, and I’m glad sewing has supported you through this time.
There is a RU-vid channel by Bliss Foster. He is a fashion lover and critic. I think you might like some of his videos. Maybe not, but I do recommend his channel.
