FALL MAKE AGENDA

I've been in a bit of a funk for the last month. After taking a few weeks off from sewing to enjoy the last warm rays of fleeting summer sun, I'm having a hard time motivating myself to start working on the ideas I have for the fall.

I knew I needed a kick in the ass so last week I went fabric shopping to gather supplies for my next round of projects. I am calling Autumn 2012 The Season of Separates. Cleaning out my closet last week made it abundently clear that while I could sleep on a 12 foot high pile of dresses, I have very little in the way of practical tops, pants and skirts. I'm a working girl (NOT THAT KIND,  jeez you guys, get your minds out of the gutter) and I am in dire need of easy, breezy things I can mix and match (or throw on in the brain dead fugue state I inhabit the hour after crawling out of bed).

So let's do this thing.

First up on the docket... Perhaps my most ambitious make yet. I wanted to challenge myself with outerwear, so I am making an animal print cape using Vogue 8776. I looked high and low for a believable fake fur but everything I found was cheap and costumey. I ended up stumbling on a tiny, abstract print upholstery with a very short pile. It's got enough drape to work (I hope!) and since animal prints are practically a neutral I think it will work with everything I've got in my closet. I'm lining it with a heavy emerald satin, adding welt pockets in a cotton sateen and perhaps using a fine wool knit as a warm interlayer. I think I may be dragging my feet a little because I know this project is going to be a challenge but I'm forcing myself to get started this weekend. Knowing Montreal weather, I may only get to wear it for another month or so before it's parka time.

Next up is the Rachel Comey mini skirt from Vogue 1247. I made this last winter for my sister, and I loved the shape. I have a TO DIE FOR metallic brocade I bought in New York that will be perfect. It softened quite a bit when I washed it so I may get fancy ass and interline with silk organiza for additional structure. I can't wait to wear this with thick tights, boots and my black cashmere turtleneck.

Here is a project I am super excited for.... the gorgeous and original and ambitious ladies at By Hand London are releasing two AWESOME patterns this fall. I literally squealed and fanned my face when I saw this skirt. I have a super cozy B&W houndstooth that needs to be made into the sex on a sexy sex stick that is this skirt. Check out their teaser images here. Now all I need is a flight to London so Elisalex, Charlotte and I can wiggle all over town in them....

On to some basics. I have pined for this white silk Equipment blouse for years. PINING BE GONE. It's time to make this lady mine. LITERALLY. McCalls 6436 is a dead ringer and I have a lovely white crepe de chine that wants to be all over my upper body. Take that $300 blouse! HA HA HA! Retail - NEVER AGAIN.

I would like to use up the rest of my B&W striped jersey from my maxi dress to knock off this adorable peplum top.  May use this tutorial from Scared Stitchless.

Additionally I would like to knock out a few t-shirts. I have some patterns I'm going to try out but I would also like to use Sunni's rub-off method and recreate one of my favourites. I picked up some buttery soft black & white jersey for just this purpose. 

Shit just got real. I'm making me some jeans. Please ignore the fugtastic styling of the above Vogue 8774 - please imagine instead perfectly fitted indigo skinnies that I will wear so much people will worry about my hygiene. Imagine also me internet stalking Sallie of the Most Perfect Handmande Jeans and Carolyn of the Jeans Made by Actual Angels to tell me all of their secrets. Also their tips on how to make fantastic jeans.

If all goes well on the jeans front I would love to remind my boss that I am a professional who has actual pants instead of the neon skinny jeans I've been wearing to work all summer. Look at these beauts! I love a a high waisted wide leg, lemme tell you. For these I am thinking of splurging on some Mood wool crepe in a fun colour. Or I may chicken out and do black. But still! Professional pants!

Aye yai yai.... please do not let the woefully unfortunate colour blocking of this picture to distract you from what is (beneath all that horrific blue satin) a really dope jacket pattern. Looks super easy and in the right (to be determined) fabric will be a great work basic.

I am still not 100% sure but I think this is the sweater I am going to work on this winter. It looks so freaking cozy. A dolman sleeved angora sweater in off white will take your Seasonal Affective Disorder and swaddle it in a yarn hug.

On top of all this I would like to get around to sewing some new undies (I've been putting off buying new ones for just this reason and the situation is borderline embarassing) and perhaps a bra or two. All of the lingerie obsessed sewists in my blog roll are making me want to change my life.

Lastly, I'm cooking up a super fun little bonus project with one of our blog budz that I am super excited about (details to come!) And look what just happened.... all of this listing and planning has made me geeked and anxious to get started. I just have to stop watching Honey Boo Boo and get back to work.