Summer Wardrobe Plans

Hey everybody! I'm getting ready to send out the patterns to the giveaway winners but I got distracted by seeing summer sewing plans on other blogs. Typical ADD kicking in for me. lol The weather here in Maryland has been increasingly summer-like and I'm realizing that my wardrobe is not well suited for the weather. I need to make a plan for things I need to carry me through the next 3 months or so.

Here's what I'm starting with in my wardrobe already:
Lots of tops and tanks
4 cotton cardigans
3 cotton shorts that don't fit well
1 cotton blend capri pants that are a little snug
2 bathing suits that don't fit
Lots of skirts
Lots of dresses
2 bras that fit perfectly
1 pair of sandals
1 pair of flats
1 pair of sneakers that need replaced
2 pairs of dress shoes

So, considering the above I already see the plan I need to make. I will be attempting to make some bottoms as I love shorts and capris in summer. It gets pretty hot here, especially in late June through July. Less is more, for sure, during that time of year. Also, the pool at my mother in-law's is open and I haven't gone swimming yet because my suit doesn't fit! That's just a crime! I need to make a bathing suit right NOW! I also need some shoes. After I broke my foot last August I haven't been able to wear shoes with flexible soles unless I can put carbon fiber plates under the insoles. I need to figure out what exactly I want and go from there with figuring out what I can find that in to work for my feet. I also need to buy a couple more bras. I finally found one that fits me like it was custom made for me: the Panache Tango II Plunge. I figure buying one a month until I have enough would be good considering my budget.

My tentative sewing plans:

For the shorts and capris I will probably use Simplicity 3435 from the early 1960s. If I use the pattern I will be using views 1 and 3. I have some stretch cotton twill in navy and olive. The navy I have enough for the capris and maybe shorts. The olive I have enough for shorts. I'd like to get some khaki stretch poplin for the bottoms as well. The pair of capris I have are the perfect length for me. I'll be using them with the pattern to make sure the ones I make hit me where I like on my legs.

I have some olive print ITY that is perfect for bathing suits in my stash. Have you seen the AMAZING Bombshell Bathing Suit pattern by Closet Case Files? The blue version is so 1950s glam! My jaw hit the floor when I saw it. It's exactly what I've been wanting to make for myself! I bought it right then and there. I also placed an order with Sew Sassy for lining, elastic and poly laminate foam to make my own cups for support (I just can't find any big enough for my girls). Closet Case Files is also hosting a sewalong. I'll be participating.

If the olive suit turns out well I plan to make a leopard one and maybe a gold or copper lamé one.

So, that's what I think I'll be sewing for summer. Right now on the table I have my Gatsby inspired robe to finish. It just needs the sleeves hemmed and a closure added. I want to do the lingerie I planned to go with it (vintage styled knickers and a bralette or cami) but the satin I bought is a nightmare to sew and I'm not sure I'm up for dealing with it right now. Luckily I have a lacy slip that will match the robe already.

Other plans for the summer include hopefully going to the beach for a weekend with all the kiddos (step-kids, too) and I want to teach my almost 9 year old daughter to sew. I want to start with hand stitches with her then get her a very basic machine to learn on after she gets the hand stuff down. I also want to try to fix my serger. I think one of my loopers is bent. I got the serger for free so I don't want to spend anything taking it to a shop. I figure I like to tinker and figure out how things work so I'll try to fix it. It's already not working right so what do I have to lose? lol  My job is going well. In mid-July I will be switching from day shift to night shift. I've never worked nights before, so it should be interesting. Hopefully I can adapt to it ok.

Do you have any sewing or crafty plans for summer? Or maybe winter if you are in the other hemisphere? Leave me a comment and let me know what you plan to make.

100 Facebook Fans Giveaway Winners!

First, thank you everyone who entered! I appreciate your interest and support so much! I opted to draw based on who was interested in what pattern, in order to make sure everyone had a chance to get what they wanted most. If a person who won the first was interested in both they were immediately removed from the second pattern's list of potential winners. All entries were assigned a number based on the order they were received. Without any further delay let's get to announcing the winners.

The following people were interested in the first pattern (their entry number is in parenthesis) :

Alethia (1, 5)
Kimberly (2, 3, 4)
Ruth (6)
Allison (7)
Rochelle (8)
Jacqueline (9)

And the number drawn was:

 

Congratulations Rochelle New!! 

The following people were interested in the second pattern:

 

Alethia (1, 5)
Kimberly (2, 3, 4)
Beccie (6)
Ruth (7)
Allison (8)
Angela (9, 10, 11)
Pamela (12, 13, 14)

Jacqueline (15)


And the number drawn was:

 

Congratulations  Kimberly Olson!!

Winners, you have 48 hours to contact me by facebook message through the Sew Damned Creative page. If a winner does not contact me in that time I will select a new winner for the unclaimed pattern on Wednesday, June 12, 2013.

Thank you everyone for your participation and congrats again to the winners! Stay tuned to my blog and my facebook page because I plan to host another giveaway (to be announced soon).

CLOSED: 100 Facebook Fans Giveaway!

If you follow my Facebook page you'll know that I said from the very beginning that once I reached the 100 likes milestone that I would host a vintage pattern giveaway. In the wee hours of this morning my page reached, and surpassed, the 100 likes mark! I'm so excited! To celebrate that I want to offer two readers a vintage dress pattern in thanks for their interest and support.

The first pattern is a 1940's Simplicity pattern, numbered 2741, for a scooped neck shirtwaist dress in either evening/ankle length or tea length with short or 3/4 sleeves and detachable cuffs/collar. It is size 14, bust 32 inches, and is partially cut (very neatly). The envelope is in sad shape, but the pattern is in great condition. No instructions are included (sorry, they are just missing and were when I purchased the pattern) but it is a simple dress to put together from what I can tell.

Pattern 1

The second pattern in this giveaway is another Simplicity pattern, but this one is from 1958, numbered 2538. It is the perfect Marilyn Monroe halter style dress! It is a size 16, bust is 36 inches, and has skirt length variations and an optional cummerbund. The pattern is partially cut and in great shape. The envelope has some tears but is still intact.

Pattern 2

Official giveaway rules:

1. Giveaway is open internationally.
2. Must like Sew Damn Creative on Facebook and leave a comment on this post letting me know you have done so.
3. For an extra entry, tweet this post and comment with a link to your tweet.
4. For an extra entry, pin this post on Pinterest and comment with a link to your pin.
5. You can combine your links and like comments into one, but I must have the links for extra entries to give you credit.
6. Giveaway will be closed on Friday, June 7, 2013 at Midnight EST. 
7. Winners will be announced by no later than Sunday, June 9, 2013. Announcement will be done via blog post and on the Facebook page.