Gearing up for winter

Winter is not my favorite season..... It's so cold!!! But I've come to the conclusion that being prepared is a lot more useful than pouting about it.

I've been making an effort to stock up on vintage winter goodies like warm hats and coats.

So when I awoke to find the high was supposed to be 28F on Sunday, I wasn't exactly happy but my wardrobe was prepared.

I just adore the collar on this jacket! It always makes me feel glamorous!

I paired it with some other cozy winter pieces like my wool skirt and a green cardigan.

Pearls were added for a dash of class.

All and all, I kept mostly warm!

Fall and Winter Sewing Plans

I know it's the middle of summer, but fall will be on us before we know it! My husband and I have a busy fall wedding season and then we'll be moving so I'm hoping to get a head start on my chilly weather sewing! Here are some things I'm hoping to sew!

Blouses! On an unrelated note- check out the tiny watch hanging off the blue skirt on Advance 8511

 I love a slimmer skirt for fall and winter to keep your legs warm!

I could not resist this adorable 50s pull over pattern! I need one in plaid flannel!

Another great winter pattern! I've got some teal corduroy for this!

I'll be pulling out the Wearing History WWII Home Front Overall pattern to whip up some jeans! :D

I've got some great brown plaid suiting with tiny orange stripes and I want to make a matching dress and jacket!

What things are you dreaming of for fall?

Sometimes you just have to accept reality

As much as I wish I could live somewhere like southern California or Florida where I could wear pretty summer sundresses most of the year, I do not. I live in the midwest and it gets cold! And the weather is often uncooperative.

What happens in March is that the weather will be gorgeous for a few days and then go back to cold and rainy/snowy for a few weeks. At this point in time, I was so over winter especially since last winter was super mild. In an attempt to combat the winter blues, I set out to sew up a chilly weather appropriate dress and promptly purchased two lengths of corduroy from Jo-Anns (on sale too!)

This dress is the result of one of my fabric purchases! It's short sleeved so it won't be good for the dead of winter but it's going to be great for spring and fall days that are chilly in the morning and during early winter.

Fabric: 3 5/8 yd red corduroy ($4.50/yd), 2/3 yd black wool blend crepe (leftovers from another project)
Pattern:  Simplicity 2851
Year: 1949
Notions: Buttons (from Costume College $1), zipper ($2), belt is from a previously made dress
First worn: April '12
Total cost: ~$20
Wear again? Yup, I love it! It's very comfortable and much warmer than my summer dresses. I love the length and flattring late 40s silhouette. The only thing I don't like is that it's a lint magnet! 

I really want to make up this pattern in the other view in a more summery weight fabric but this dress is just perfect for posing in front of the old red storage barns!

Winter sewing palette

I am finally getting started on my last fall sewing project! I have two finished projects to show you and the Cadence sweater to finish knitting but I'm almost there! I did decided to bump the jacket I was planning on making till Christmas break when I'll actually have the time and energy to work on it properly.

I've already been dreaming about (and shopping for) winter sewing projects. I didn't set out with a particular color palette but one just sort of fell on me. (There is probably a reason for this and it has to do with a project I'm going to be starting over Christmas break as well.) But anyways, here is my winter sewing palette!

Perhaps I should have titled this post "Yes, I am still obsessed with Downton Abbey"....

Are you still in fall mode or have you already moved on-mentally or physically-to winter projects?

Sleeve-tastic!

With winter fast approaching, long sleeved shirts have been on my mind! I only have one ready to wear one! Eeep! That's probably why I lived in hoodies last winter. I've never actually made anything with long sleeves before though...

Enter two great patterns: Sewaholic Pendrell blouse (for the body) and Wearing History Sailor Playsuit (blouse long sleeves). And I threw in a self drafted collar for good measure. I was inspired by a blouse in Everyday Fashions of the 1940s.

It's pretty cute if I say so myself. And it goes great with my Audrey inspired jumper. It looks a bit odd on it's own, though. I need to play with the styling a bit. But I did make it out of upholstery fabric and it's super warm. I actually wore it to school one day and had to change out of it because it was too hot!

And look, I match the barn!