Capsule Wardrobe - How Did I Get on?

Back in January I posted about my mini capsule wardrobe plan, here. Here's how I got on with my plan to make 6 items;

1. Colette Peony dress in green/blue/grey check wool.

 

2. Simplicity 3196 1950s pencil skirt in dark green wool mix fabric

Bit of a story to this one - I bought the pattern in August last year but it was only when I opened it to make for the first time this February that I realised there were pieces missing - aargh! I was able to buy another on eBay in my size, luckily, but it took a month to arrive, as the seller was away. I received it last weekend, and honestly, with the unseasonably warm weather, the last thing I feel like making is a lined, wool pencil skirt! I'm going to put it on hold til Autumn.

3. Blouse with tie collar in unknown man-made fabric with 1930s-style pattern

4. Sewaholic Crescent skirt View A in lightweight denim

 

5. Other top - Jasmine blouse, fabric undecided

I decided to make the Violet blouse instead, using fabric from my stash.

6. Knitted item - Kate Davies' Manu cardigan. 

Image from Kate Davies' Ravelry Page

Shortly after I posted about making this, my mother-in-law told me that she had already bought me some wool for my birthday, which was blue, double knitting, from New Lanark AND enough to make this cardigan - exactly what I was planning to buy, what a lucky coincidence (and a lovely mother-in-law)! However, I am not allowing myself to start this until I finish my Fairisle sweater, which I have been making progress with, honestly.

How do I feel about the project?

Well, 4 out of 6 items isn't bad, and I will definitely be making the pencil skirt later in the year and starting the cardigan fairly soon. Planning my projects made sure that I used some fabric and patterns from my stash, which I was pleased about, and already I can see that some items are getting more wear than others - my denim Crescent is a firm favourite.

Now it's done, I'm really excited to plan the next lot of items I want to make. I'm not going to put a time limit on it this time, so I can be a bit flexible, but I do like having things planned in to make.

What advice would I give to anyone planning to do a similar 'capsule wardrobe'?

• Think about where the gaps in your wardrobe are. The point of my personal challenge was to create items I would wear frequently.
• Set a realistic time limit for the project. Over last year I averaged a new item every 2 weeks so used this as a guide to set what I could achieve in 3 months. (In the end, I didn't, but meh, whatever)
• Build in flexibility - Don't decide on the fabric and pattern for every item at the beginning, you might want to change.
• Don't give yourself a hard time if you don't do everything you want - I didn't make my goal of 6 items but sometimes other stuff gets in the way. Sewing is my hobby so I'm not going to beat myself up about it.

Now I'm excited to show you what I'm planning to make next! I'll be using some of the patterns I've bought recently and some new fabric that I haven't yet shown you. Can't wait!

K x