Capsule wardrobes seem to be a big topic of conversation on sewing blogs these days. It makes sense, it is very appealing to think you could open your closet and only pull out items that coordinated with each other. Dressing would be easy and you wouldn't stare at an item of clothing wondering what it went with. I like this concept but find I love clothes way too much to do this. I have so many clothes and I love crazy, tacky thrift store finds. I also find I dress differently for different things so I have different wardrobes for different parts of my life. Everything in my closet does not need to match and I like the creativity of mixing aspects of my wardrobe that don't.
That said, pregnancy is a very set amount of time with a very specific lifestyle (now that I'm on leave from work). I decided to tackle the last few months with the mindset of the capsule wardrobe. I looked at the fall and winter as a time where I will need a limited number of new coordinating items to get me through the end of my pregnancy and the beginning of nursing/still changing body.
So I set out with my sister on a mission to the fabric store. I had a list of maternity patterns and fabric requirements. It was the most organized I've been at the fabric store outside of Hallowe'en. We looked for fall/ winter fabrics that coordinated well and would work well with the items I wanted to sew. Here are the first few items that resulted from that trip.
So I set out with my sister on a mission to the fabric store. I had a list of maternity patterns and fabric requirements. It was the most organized I've been at the fabric store outside of Hallowe'en. We looked for fall/ winter fabrics that coordinated well and would work well with the items I wanted to sew. Here are the first few items that resulted from that trip.
The first is the Alissa maternity top from Megan Nielsen patterns. Another part of the maternity survival bundle I purchased. I must say, I really got my bang for my buck with this bundle. It makes a nice little capsule wardrobe in itself and there are lots of options for each pattern so that you get quite a few different looks. This top is a good example. The first views are of a wrapped top which is also on my "to sew" list but this is the cropped version. It makes a great sweater to pair with empire waist skirts and dresses. It gives room for the "bump" and is also breast feeding friendly.
I chose the size L, going up one size from the recommended M because I wanted a looser fit for a sweater layer. It looks like I could have gone up one more size as you can see a bit of pulling around the bust and back. This makes sense as that area continues to grow. I imagine it will be fine though and it's quite comfortable. the pattern was easy to follow and this version uses very little yardage. The only change I made was to add clear elastic to the neckline to aid recovery of that area and prevent gapage. I've noticed a lot of breast feeding friends have some seriously saggy necklines...makes sense. This top you could also just pull up from the bottom too.
The fabric is a medium weight merino wool sweater knit. I love this teal colour. I picked this up at Atex Designer Fabrics across from Dressew. I think it was about $15/m and I probably ended up using only a metre for this sweater. Pretty good for merino, I think.
This sweater, was actually unplanned as part of the capsule wardrobe. You might recognize the fabric from the sweater I made my partner recently. I had tons of yardage leftover after making his sweater. I find fabric recommendations so tricky as I don't want to end up with too little but sometimes, like in this case, I end up with double what I need. This sweater knit is the olive colour-way of the same sweater above. I don't typically lean towards olive but I think it's a nice change and goes well with other colours I've got so I made up a second identical version.
I really like the colour in the end and think I will get just as much use out of this sweater. I also feel like it was free because it was made of "scraps" even though it really wasn't. Let me have this.
As for the dress, this is yet another Megan Nielsen pattern. It's the Amber Nursing and Maternity Top. I overlooked this pattern at first as it wasn't part of the bundle and I didn't feel like I needed more top patterns. However, I believe it recently came out as a PDF AND it has a dress option. I'm all about the dress option these days. Any excuse not to wear pants, especially these days. I was also intrigued by the design of the nursing modesty panel so went for it.
I cut this out in a M for bust and waist (rib cage at this point) and graded out to a L for the hips based on my pre-pregnancy measurements as suggested. I think the fit is great but it's really long. I'm 5'10" and it is a few inches below my knees. After looking at these pictures, I've decided to go back and cut about 4-5" off the hem so it sits above the knee. There might be more length to accommodate for the belly but even so. Also, this is just a preference in length for me. I feel at this length, I'm ALL BELLY.
The other fit issue I notice is that I can see I need a "sway back" adjustment, however my back is getting more swayed every day and I think this will resolve with child birth and I truly can't be bothered for something like this. I wonder if it would even work as my body is not a standard shape at this time.
The instructions were clear and construction was easy. I added clear elastic to the hems on the modesty panel to help with recovery as well as the the neckline of the bodice pieces. I followed the construction order this time but would sew it in a different order next time so I could sew the sleeves in flat. I think it makes for a neater finish and is easier to do on a serger.
I found making pleats in this slinky fabric difficult and would recommend gathers for lighter weight or more fluid fabrics.
I decided to add knit interfacing to the waist band because I have just discovered it and thought it would provide stability to the waist band. It does...but that's awful. At this point with an expanding rib cage, it's nice to have stretch. Would not do that again.
The other fit issue I notice is that I can see I need a "sway back" adjustment, however my back is getting more swayed every day and I think this will resolve with child birth and I truly can't be bothered for something like this. I wonder if it would even work as my body is not a standard shape at this time.
The instructions were clear and construction was easy. I added clear elastic to the hems on the modesty panel to help with recovery as well as the the neckline of the bodice pieces. I followed the construction order this time but would sew it in a different order next time so I could sew the sleeves in flat. I think it makes for a neater finish and is easier to do on a serger.
I found making pleats in this slinky fabric difficult and would recommend gathers for lighter weight or more fluid fabrics.
I decided to add knit interfacing to the waist band because I have just discovered it and thought it would provide stability to the waist band. It does...but that's awful. At this point with an expanding rib cage, it's nice to have stretch. Would not do that again.
The fabric is an organic cotton jersey with printed polka dots. It's on the lighter side but is substantial enough for this dress. I think it's a nice neutral (polka dots are neutral in my book) that will mix easily with other pieces. It's also really soft and comfortable.
I like the neckline and modesty panel. I think it's quite clever.
Overall, I'm very happy with the start of my "capsule wardrobe." I've got a few more things cut out and ready to go and having this plan is keeping me a bit more on task than usual.
How do you feel about capsule wardrobes?
I like the neckline and modesty panel. I think it's quite clever.
Overall, I'm very happy with the start of my "capsule wardrobe." I've got a few more things cut out and ready to go and having this plan is keeping me a bit more on task than usual.
How do you feel about capsule wardrobes?