Sew your own Capsule Wardrobe
I am a big fan of the capsule wardrobe concept. I have never had much imagination when it comes to dressing myself, so when I see these closets presented as simple math equations in which you can’t have a wrong answer I get very excited.
However, shopping for said wardrobe has usually ended up in tragedy and a drastically reduced bank account. I was lamenting this cycle I constantly find myself in of picking a capsule, hunting down all of the items and then wearing none of it even in instances in which I have thrown out all other clothing options, when inspiration struck.
Just down the hall from my failed capsule closet, I have my craft closet, positively busting with left over fabrics. I sat down with Pinterest and began to collect sewing patterns for the “essentials” of a capsule wardrobe.
Essentials of a capsule wardrobe
In the course of my research I found a lot of options for size and content of the “essential” capsule. I decided to go with the 12 article collection which consists of the following:
3 Tops
3 Bottoms
3 Dresses
3 Jackets/Sweaters
Do I know anything about sewing?
The short answer is not really. I have tried quilting for long over a decade with only a few successful outcomes, hence the closet bursting with fabric. I did find that knowing that the only thing I would be wasting on this endeavor was my time, the pressure to actually create something wearable was substantially reduced. I am also incredibly pregnant at this time so the clothes only have to look good on my mannequin.
The Three Tops
The pin that inspired the first attempt at fashion creation is here
The main take away from this project was the necessity of using a more relaxed fabric and the ties should be at the bottom edges of the fabric and not off the sides. I do plan to remake this using a knit jersey as it turned out to be very straight forward.
2. This top came from this pin and was wonderfully easy.
This one I completed in about 45 minutes and absolutely love it. Didn’t have to make any adjustments in the measurements given and even the fabric is fine for this. It will of course look better when it is washed and dried. Thinking to maybe even dye it just because I cannot keep anything white.
3. This pin was also really great to work with, but I was undone by my own laziness
I really enjoy this top and again the measurements given were just right. The fabric was fine as well and it was only in my laziness of not want to sewing the draw string properly that this piece is probably in need of a redo.
The Three Bottoms
Wrap around pants pin, not quite a success.
The piece may yet be a success. With my giant belly I am unable to try these on and my mannequin does not in fact have any legs or hips. On the dummy, I must say it really accentuates the crotch area.
2. Wrap around skirt pin and my most favorite of the capsule.
I really needed this one to work. After the pants, I was feeling a bit demoralized and when the skirt came together so quickly and looking so good I found the motivation to finish the project.
3. Going off script and working totally pin-less
I had saved so many pins for the last bottom, a variety of panel skirts, wrap shorts and drawstring pants. After numerous false starts, I just decided to go back to basics and make a drawstring skirt. It is pretty heavy and clumsy, but looks moderately cool.
The Three Dress
A pin that is just a variation on the top I already made?
I could not get this dress to photograph at all. It is a piece that needs to be remade as I need to make it a bit wider in the hips. I will also say that the slits on the sides are pretty crucial. I also think it could benefit from a more relaxed fabric.
2. A pin that isn’t quite finished, but could be a new favorite.
For some reason, I put the tie in the back and I also skimped on the fabric. So it is an interpretation of the original pin. I think that I will revisit this one, as I think I may even be able to use it with a great big belly.
3. This pin makes it look easy or maybe I just made it hard.
I admit that I made very poor fabric choices and I will be trying this again, as it looks just so very awesome. The elements are all there and generally it is a simple construction. I just don’t have enough experience yet to make it look quite like the pin.
The three Jackets or what have you.
My mother cleared out her own crafts closet and donated several great fabrics for some layering pieces. They each when together fairly well and while I may not actually use them since they are made from statement fabrics, they could make some fairly decent gifts.
Find the pin here
Kimono pin
My new capsule wardrobe
I have about three more weeks until I will be closer to my normal size, so until then I do not know if this will actually work, but it did work in building my confidence in making my own clothes.