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August Sewing Inspiration

Since August is a transitional month, I tried to plan projects for this month that fit the season.

Fall is definitely my favorite season for clothing, so I don’t mind diving in, but I did want to work on things I can wear right away.

For reference, see the last Wardrobe Architect post, in which I listed out my fall sewing plans and process. It really helped me focus on what to make.

Floral shirtdress shift

shirtdress-moodboard

I’ve been wearing a wine-colored sleeveless shirtdress all summer long, and thought it would be a perfect use for this big, dark peony-patterned rayon that I have. I can wear it with tights and boots, put a sweater over it, and wear it basically all year round.

Rust silk camisole

cami-moodboard

I have this gorgeous rusty-wine colored silk that’s been in my stash for months. I’m going to make a Savannah camisole, trimmed in lace. I have some crazy ideas for incorporating an antique lace trim I have, so we’ll see how it goes.

What’s inspiring you guys this month?

Sarai Mitnick

Founder

Sarai started Colette back in 2009. She believes the primary role of a business should be to help people. She loves good books, sewing with wool, her charming cats, working in her garden, and eating salsa.

Comments

Regan

August 11, 2015 #

Oh my gosh, I have that exact rayon. It’s currently undergoing transformation into a sleeveless dress (surprise surprise) but one with a circle skirt.
And silk camisoles sound wonderful !

Van

August 11, 2015 #

What a great idea! I need to start a sewing inspiration booklet.

Robin

August 12, 2015 #

I too am inspired this month by a rayon challis. Sprays of muted blue cornflowers on a gray and white watercolor background. I bought it at the big box fabric store, where I rarely buy fabric, but I just needed a lining for a blue/gray worsted wool, and found nothing inspiring in the cottons, and couldn’t bear the thought of a non-natural fabric for the lining. When I got home with it, I promptly decided it was much too pretty to hide away as a lining (and maybe not the best fabric for lining anyway). When I was younger, a big circle skirt would have been grand, but now I think palazzo pants or maybe a straight leg summer pant would work well. Perhaps I’ll start with a tank top and see what’s left…

Kim

August 12, 2015 #

Peonies! God, do I love peonies.

SJ Kurtz

August 12, 2015 #

I just can’t face sewing for fall right now. It’s been so hot and dry in the NW, and I despair of it ever being cool enough for a tshirt, much less a pair of pants or a shirt with sleeves. The 50’s vintage dress pattern on the mood board has been traced and resized, but not even a muslin for now.

Gretchen Potts

August 12, 2015 #

You wear florals so well! I have some pink roses on black satin that I would love to incorporate into my wardrobe at some point….but what Im excited about right now is blue and green plaid Pendleton wool! Our winters come early and stay late and I want to be ready for those first hard frosts in late September. Have a look! https://sizemode.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=370&action=edit&postpost=v2

Gretchen Potts

August 12, 2015 #

Oops…..wrong link! Give this one a try…. https://sizemode.wordpress.com

Piper

August 13, 2015 #

Mmm, lovely. I am currently working on navy rayon wide leg pants. I love to sew more interesting pieces, but I love to wear practical separates!

Camilla

August 18, 2015 #

Gorgeous fabric, peonies are my favourite flowers. Your shift dress is going to be stunning. Can’t wait to see both when they are finished.

Karen

August 19, 2015 #

I’m new to this site and was wondering where to get the patterns for the sleeveless shirt dress and the camisole top.

Sarai

August 19, 2015 #

For the camisole, I am using the Savannah pattern from Seamwork, which you can buy here: https://www.seamwork.com/projects/savannah

For the dress, I’m modifying a vintage shirt pattern from the 80s that I already had, but I think the Grainline Alder would also be perfect! http://shop.grainlinestudio.com/products/alder-shirtdress