I can't express how much I am looking forward to getting back to sewing from non-maternity patterns again. I've collected some lovely fabric over the summer but have had to wait to use it, even though I may be itching to get started and have it paired with a pattern already, just because I didn't want to make it into a maternity pattern and will want it to fit me after the baby comes and will have to make my size adjustments then.

However, this enforced slow-down of production has been helpful since it has made me do some thinking about what I need/want to add to my wardrobe. Thoughtfulness in planning outfits can become obsessive, but it can also be a good thing, especially if you want to look put together even on normal, busy days. Think about it ahead of time, and you don't have to think about it afterwards.

I've broken down my current sewing needs into three different categories: Simple, Useful for Prints, and Versatile.

Simple

I love accessories. But I am also drawn to buy and make up sewing patterns that use a lot of detail. Often it is hard to pair favorite accessories with an elaborate dress. You either have to plan the outfit around the dress, which calls for toned down accessories, or around the accessory which usually calls for a simple outfit. 

Of course, it's possible to throw two busy things together and look ok. (Some people are better at that than others.) But usually I've discovered that the most tasteful ensemble usually has only one. For instance, you want to wear that 1940s suit with the gorgeous detailing. First you try it on with the shoes you are hankering to wear – peep toes with flowers or bows on the toe. It looks ok. But switch out those shoes for plain leather pumps with just a bit of stitching and it will suddenly take away an element of "fussiness" you didn't even realize was there…it simply looks more tasteful. But that's bad news if you really wanted to wear those shoes!

To add some simple dresses or outfits to a wardrobe really makes it easy to pair accessories of different kinds without having just one dress that will go with a particular pair of shoes or a particular hat. Here are some of the photos that have inspired me. Not much detail (buttons or contrasting collar and cuffs are about it) but very classy. All of them would make accessorizing easy, and really set off an elaborate hat, gloves, purse, or shoes.

Note to self – simple only works if it's accessorized so it doesn't look plain, uses a nice fabric…and has to be made and fit well!

See how elegant just a simple lace collar can look!

I'm dying to do a replica of this one, in white linen with the same trim. I would have to alter it to button down the front, though. I don't usually work from pictures but I bet I could find a pattern close enough in my stash since it's such a basic shape.

Wow, this 1950s dress could be accessorized with so many colors. Brown, white, black, straw, dark red…

Useful for Prints

As I already mentioned, I have a penchant for patterns that have some fabric and construction interest. I love inserted panels and slanted gathers and unique pleating, yokes and tabs and radiating darts. But on the other hand, I also have a penchant for buying printed cottons (especially 1930s repro prints) – which do not work for such patterns! The cotton is usually too stiff to work well with details that need something limp and flowing like rayon, and the print hides the details anyway. I really need to get out some of the basic patterns that I have been passing up for the more fun ones, just to allow my favorite prints to shine!

However, prints don't have to be plain and rely only on the print for interest. Most of these inspiration photos show prints broken up with solid fabric or trim, and contrasting collar/cuffs/buttons/decorations/inserts work really well also.

Note to self – this means self control! Don't assume a basic pattern will be boring and pass it up for a more interesting one…let the fabric have center stage.

Some of these are a fairly dressy way to wear prints; others are perfect for house dresses!

Versatile

I am really toying with the notion of how useful it would be to make a matching blouse and skirt out of the same fabric, so I could wear them together like a dress or separately, for the most versatility. I could change it up even more by doing a blouse with a peplum so I could wear it tucked in or out. 

How much will I wear two pieces once I have a baby, though? Would I prefer something I can just button up and go? I won't find out until I try it!

I like the dress with a jacket idea. Get two totally different looks, and it's more season-transitional, especially for autumn where it's warm in the days and cool in the evenings. That jacket could be worn with another skirt too.

Oooh, now here's an idea! I'm not sure from the photo if this is what the actual outfit is, but it would be a neat idea to make a lightweight dress, with an overskirt and bolero from another fabric! Wear just the dress, the dress with the bolero, or add the overskirt too for a really different appearance.

Coordinating two pieces can look like a dress as well if it's matched well enough.

Another idea that might work well for fall fashion…make a matching skirt and dickey and wear it with a purchased sweater.

Speaking of purchased sweaters, especially if you don't have enough fabric for a whole outfit, let the thrift store supply a coordinating sweater. Use matching embroidery floss and embroider something on it so it looks like a set (very period correct as well) – or replace the buttons with covered ones from your skirt fabric! I'm definitely going to try that idea!

So there are a few of the images that have been catching my imagination lately. I do have my sewing queue ready and lined up to go once I can get back to sewing this fall, and I can match up my list against these three needs and ask - is it simple? is it useful to use up a print? is it versatile? Maybe that way I won't go off on rabbit trails, sewing something elaborate that I will rarely wear or have nothing to pair with.