Yesterday was the first day Iβve worn a coat since March! I was not happy about the situation! And then when I stepped outside in the evening to drive home it smelt like autumn.
Iβm not ready for autumn yet!
I must admit that my favourite season is summer without a doubt! I love the sunshine it makes me happy.
This year I feel like summer has passed me by. I know weβve had some lovely weather here in the UK, but because weβve been in this weird semi-lockdown for most of it and havenβt done a lot of our normal things we do, it almost feels like we havenβt had a summer.
But this cooler weather has made me stop and take a wardrobe audit, remind myself what Iβve got and what combinations I want to wear this season. And what wardrobe gaps Iβve got and what I can make to fill them.
I have a definite colour scheme to my autumn/winter wear with teal, rust and russet tones prevailing.
One of my key pieces is this dress made from my favourite Vogue pattern (V9328) and this is a good example of my autumn colour palette. Layered up here with the Itch to Stitch Hepburn turtleneck, of which Iβve made a few as theyβre perfect for layering.
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Iβve got some teal suede boots which are just perfect, which I bought just as lockdown started and never got the chance to wear that will be perfect for the 70βs vibe of this outfit.
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Iβm thinking of wearing pinafore dresses this season layered up with long sleeve jersey tees and jumpers. This is a self drafted pinafore dress which I made about 4 years ago and I love it! I even made one to match my coat!
Also how perfect is this little mohair beret that I found at a craft fair a few years ago.
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And my Made my Wardrobe Olivia Dress and the Amaya Shirts are the perfect combo, layering up with some fabulous coloured Snag Tights and my leopard print boots, will turn these summer favourites autumnally appropriate. (Both of these patterns are available to purchase from me, just send me a message to buy.)
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I made this Chalk and Notch Orchid Dress in January so it hasnβt seen much wear yet. I plan to wear it with my teal boots and the teal ribbed Hepburn turtleneck (pictured above) underneath or my linen Paper Theory LB Pullover layered over the top.
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I did discover some wardrobe gaps that I will look to fill over the next couple of months, ensuring I stay warm and cosy whatever Iβm doing!
I remembered an old favourite, the Patterns for Pirates Cocoon Cardigan that sadly was relegated to rags last year after being loved threadbare. I am going to make myself at least another one of these during autumn/winter, fabric yet to be decided but might need a trip to Waltonβs Fabrics to see what cosy knit fabrics they have at the minute.
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I also plan to make a Helenβs Closet Blackwood Cardigan in this lovely rust sweatshirting from Fabric Godmother, I have ordered both today. This will be a relatively quick make and will be fab for layering over other stuff especially as when Iβm teaching the door/windows will be open to allow for more airflow and ventilation and will fit perfectly into my colour palette.
My Closet Core Ginger Jeans are a little snug due to some extra lockdown pounds, but now that that weβre getting back to some kind of normality I should be back into them again soon. However I have a seriously lack of warmer trousers in my wardrobe, so I also plan to complete my True Bias Lander Pants that I started last year. My fabric is virtually the same as on the pattern envelope so they should coordinate perfectly with the rest of my wardrobe. (Lander Pants pattern is available to buy, just send me a message to order.)
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I have made some progress over the weekend on my slow sewing upcycling project of the Sew Liberated Lichen Duster and have completed the back pieces β now to start on the front! I canβt wait to get it finished and start wearing it!
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And lastly for my A/W 2020 wardrobe I plan to make the Charm Patterns Princess Coat. I realised last winter, that I didnβt have a smart coat and bought the Princess coat pattern on pre-release, I was so eager to make it. There are 9 sheets of A0 pattern printed out and ready for my attention, but I need to take my time with this one too, so I will wait until the Lichen Duster is completed before starting on this one. Iβm planning on making the longer version with the notch shawl collar and the lantern sleeves. I also need to source the perfect fabric for this one – I want it to last for many years.
Having done this wardrobe audit and having thought about what’s really missing I know that my sewing plans for the rest of the year are considered and thought through and not just spur of the moment impulse makes that won’t fit in with my current style and colurs. Iβm really happy with what Iβve got in my wardrobe already and with just a few new key pieces Iβll really be ready to face the change in seasons.
What about you? Are you ready for Autumn? What are your Autumn/Winter sewing plans? Do you love cosy winter warmer styles?
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Love & stitches
Alison xx
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