September Sewing Plans

Last month was my first time sharing a post like this and I must say, this particular method of project planning worked incredibly well for me. Normally my mind is positively overflowing with inspiration and often feels chaotic as a result. While I am still constantly coming up with new ideas, this monthly approach really helped me organize my thoughts and stay focused. If you want to see photos of my completed projects from what I planned last month, be sure to scroll down to the end of this post.

This month I am continuing my endeavor of expanding my workwear wardrobe and have mostly selected pieces I think will transition well into the cooler months. It has been so hard to let go of plans for some warm weather pieces I had hoped to make (matching dresses for Caroline and I, for instance), but I know my time will be better spent making things that I will be wearing a lot in the coming season. The list of projects I am considering for this month is much longer than I will ever be able to complete, but I do have a week off and our travel plans were derailed so who knows? Here are the things I have on deck.

*Note: I included hyperlinks to fabric whenever possible but many are things from my stash that are now out of stock.

I have had my eye on this cute top for such a long time and I am so excited to finally make it! Back when I still wore ready to wear all the time, I totally would have bought this top. I love a ruffle accent! This fabric is a bit outside of my normal color palette, but I think it will be lovely to have for fall. I’m also glad that this is one of the projects on my Make Nine 2020 plan because I have really been enjoying working my way through completing that goal.

With cold weather on the way, I definitely need to grow my collection of work pants. A basic navy pair will go great with the Saraste top above, as well as many of my existing wardrobe items. I have made two pairs of Lander shorts already this year but this time I’m planning to make pants in a cotton wool blend for warmth and comfort. I will use the zipper expansion as I did on the denim shorts because it feels great and looks truly professional.

I have had this pair of pants in mind for quite some time but I couldn’t find a pattern that was exactly what I wanted. My original plan was to tweak an existing pattern to achieve what I had imagined, but thankfully Megan Nielsen released the Opal Pants pattern and it had the same style features I was looking for. I think these will be cute and comfortable. Still pondering which tops I can style it with, or if I will need to sew something…

File this project under things I really don’t need but still really want to wear. Since we aren’t really going out and certainly aren’t traveling anywhere, I have nowhere to wear this statement floor length dress. I do not care. This is another pattern that was on my Make Nine list for the year and I have spent most of this year searching for the perfect fabric. I never found exactly what I wanted but I am very excited about this pattern + fabric pairing and am hoping if nothing else, I’ll end up with an elegant dress for our at home date nights.

Yes, I actually need pants this badly. I have very few pairs that fit me comfortably and meet my work needs (i.e. are not yoga pants). I already have a pair of these wide leg Pietra Pants in a different fabric and I definitely want more. I’m excited to make them in this off white silk noil and I think they will get a ton of wear.

I don’t know if I’ll actually get to this dress this month but if not, it will probably be pushed to October. I have had this amazing deadstock fabric on hand for a while but wanted to save it for a fall dress. I’m so excited to wear it!

I’ll let you in on a little secret – this project is already complete! After the frustrating experience of sewing up a complex shirtdress muslin only to decide it wasn’t a pattern I wanted to proceed with, I needed a quick sewing win. This project is amazing because you just use your measurements to create three pieces and it comes together in no time. I think mine probably took less than an hour to make. The V can be tied in either the front or the back. I made mine in this amazing cozy double gauze and it is so comfortable. I am probably going to make a matching pair of shorts out of the leftover fabric for some hella cute loungewear, but I’m not sure when I’ll get to that. Probably next time I need a sewing pick-me-up.

Like the top above, this project is actually already in the works. I made an amazing knit tank top recently and wanted a pretty skirt to pair it with. I pulled some lovely floral fabric that has been in my stash for a long time and decided to whip this skirt up. I’m hoping I’ll get to wear it at least a couple of times before the weather cools off too much.

I also wanted to revisit my plans from last month and show you how they turned out. I ended up completing four of the ambitious six projects I had slated. I am so happy with the four pieces I made.

I ended up with two work dresses that I have already worn multiple times, a pair of white denim shorts that I know are going to be a staple item, and an amazing red two piece bathing suit that gave me so much more confidence about sewing swimwear.

The remaining projects I had hoped to complete were two shirt dresses from one pattern. I made a muslin of the dress and ultimately decided this just isn’t the pattern for me. Hey, this is why we make muslins! I do still plan to make shirt dresses from those fabrics, but I think I will go with a pattern I have already made and know that I like. I’m not sure when I will get to those. At this point, they may be better saved for springtime. We’ll see.