Fall Wardrobe Planning

I know it feels like we've just only begun summer, but fall will quickly be upon us.  I can pretty much tell that autumn is imminent when I can't turn around without hearing something about "Back to School" :P.

In any case, I can't get thoughts of lovely fall wardrobe pieces out of my head.  And a recent trip to the fabric store and a perusal of the new Fall 2013 Catalogs left me dizzy with inspiration and itching to start planning for the fall.

McCall's 6800

First off, I think I'll want a winter coat.  I live in a part of the US that has quite brutal winters with lots and lots of snow, so a nice warm coat is important.  Plus, readers, I've got this kind of "thing" about winter coats:  I just can't get enough of them (wearing them, making them, just plain looking at them!).  McCall's 6800 caught my eye because of the "high-low" hemline and the detachable faux fur collar.  View D even includes a detachable hood.  I'm smitten, guys!  I can imagine making this coat in a thick wool coating with an interlining (for warmth) based on the technique I learned during Gertie's Lady Grey Sew-Along waaay back in 2010.

Simplicity 2154

I am hoping, also, to make Simplicity 2154 this fall.  And in the navy and white houndstooth suiting fabric I acquired at a local thrift store, I think it will look quite "1960s Stewardess" (a look I don't hate :P).  I guess I'll only know if I try it out.

Advance 9453

One of the holes in my wardrobe that I've noticed is a lack of fall/winter work-appropriate dresses.  I hope that Advance 9453 can fix this issue.  It is a fitted dress with a kick pleat that buttons down the front and has the option for short or three-quarter length sleeves.  My best guess is that it dates from the early 1960s.  The bow tie detail on the neckline caught my eye when browsing through my pattern stash.  

I may also feel the need for a few full and fluffy dresses because they're so comfortable and easy to wear at work (and of course, require a poufy crinoline, my favorite!).

Do you have any plans for fall sewing, garment or otherwise?  Please comment below!

The Dress.

Many say that the clothes make the man.  Well, I like to think that clothes make the woman too.  In this case it's the dress.  That signature dress that everyone will remember.  Or at least makes someone say "Wow!"

That dress (for a special occasion coming up in October) was destined to be Butterick 4918, a Retro Butterick reprint of a 1952 design.

I'm planning on making View B with the over-the-shoulder wrap.  I absolutely love the gather details on the bodice and the wrap.  At the moment I'm planning on using a beautiful deep blueberry silk taffeta from Fabric Mart Fabrics and underlining it with crisp silk organza.  The envelope art shows the skirt a tad droopy for my taste, don't you think?  A nice poufy crinoline is definitely in order. 

Simplicity 5006 will fit the bill.  View C with the flat waistband and the View A corset will keep things nice and smooth at the waist.

 The corset muslin is currently under construction.  More on that later!