Friday, March 5, 2010

Mini Wardrobe Contest plans

FIRST, thanks so much for all your wonderful comments on my Vogue 1150 dress. This is the first time I've ever received over 50 comments on a post. I'm blown away by all the feedback!

The Mini Wardrobe Contest over at Patternreview.com is set to kick off March 16th and run through April 15th. I am determined to enter and finish this one, even though I'll be out of town for part of one week. But it's only 4 garments. I should be able to do that easily, and hopefully won't get tired of my color pallet in that short amount of time.

Here are the fabrics I've chosen. I'm usually more of a vibrant color lover and pink is not my favorite. Especially this pale color pink. But somehow I've amassed a small array of coordinating fabrics and I do love pink and gray together.

As you can see I have 5 fabrics chosen and only need to make 4 garments. The three in the middle are definites and the outer two I can't decide between.

On the left is a black tweed suiting weight polyester with flecks of gray and white in it. I've got Burda's skirt 120 from the November 2009 issue paired with it.
The pink crinkled silky-type-polyester-something-or-another (augh! I never know the names of fabrics!) is going to be made from NewLook 6831, view D (top right drawing). It is low cut and I plan to wear either a black cami or white cami underneath, depending on what it's paired with.

For the middle pink printed silk - my favorite from the bunch - I'm planning to make a simple knee-length bias skirt using Simplicity 4881. BUT, I don't do elastic waisted anything, so will be drafting a waistband for it.

For the gray wool suiting I'm planning a fitted jacket. I love jacket 129 from Burda's September 2008 issue, and have been saving it for the perfect fabric. I plan to do the topstitching in thick black thread. It'll pop just a little off the gray color, but not enough to distract from what I'll be wearing underneath. Although the bow from the pink blouse and the ends of the jacket lapels might make too much fabric in one area. I'll probably make the blouse first and then decide on the jacket design.

The pink on the far right is actually a thin textured knit. Thin and see-through and delicate. I've had this fabric in my stash for several years and have struggled with what to make out of it. A church friend of mine has the cutest tiered knit skirt that I've been thinking about replicating for awhile now. Then I found a similarly spaced tiered dress on Kwik Sew's website. You may think - Oh Horror! - unflattering ruffles and no body definition!!! But I think if I make this out of the thin pink knit in a figure-hugging smaller size and sew the ruffles in the back as well as the front that it just might turn out super cute and flattering too. I think. And it would look nice under a fitted gray jacket as well.

So, do I make the black tweed skirt to pair with the pink blouse? It might look kind of bland from behind when wearing with the gray jacket. Or do I take my chances with the pink tiered dress that might go horribly wrong but would look better with the gray jacket?

***Where to find the contests at Patternreview.com***
I totally understand any confusion about upcoming contests. I found that site a bit hard to navigate at first as well. Okay, click on the "Message Board" tab at the top of the site. Sometimes you have to click it twice because the first click only shows new pattern releases and such. Click on "Contest Discussions" under the "Contests" bar. There you can find a complete list of all the contests for the year under "2010 Contests" as well as all the discussion threads for each contest. HTH!

20 comments:

  1. I think you should go for the tiered dress! It's worth the risk.

    Can I also ask how you know about this Pattern Review contest or where to find more info about it? I just looked on the site and couldn't find anything about it? Thanks!

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  2. I think you would look great in a body hugging, knit version of the tiered dress!

    I didn't know the mini wardrobe was starting March 15th, I'll have to sign up. Too much fun to miss out.

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  3. Love your fabrics! I can't wait to see them made into garments.

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  4. Burda 6/2009 had a pattern for a dress with a tiered skirt. They call it a dress, but really it is a skirt attached to a plain tank, and so it might work, just in case you are looking around for another pattern option. This is for a knit, as well.

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  5. TheAnchorBend - I had totally forgotten about that dress!!! I will have to give it another look. Thanks!

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  6. I think go for the tiered dress, take the risk! But then I've just finished watching project runway and they're always saying things about not being safe so that might have influenced my suggestion.

    The fabrics look great though, i can't wait to see the garments.

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  7. I love your color palate. I almost bought that tier dress pattern but just wasn't sure about it. Can't wait to see your version.

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  8. This is going to be a beautiful wardrobe.. I love your fabric and pattern choices..and I am such a fan of the pink and grey combination.

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  9. I love all your fabric choices! That is going to be a great collection! I vote for the pink tiered dress! I think that would be so cute! It is different and stand-out! Take the risk!

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  10. I say the tiered pink dress too. If it doesn't work out, you probably whip up that skirt pretty fast. I love pink and grey together and have lots of plans....I have about 4 pairs of pink shoes!

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  11. I like your plans! I might give this contest a whirl too, 4 garments seems manageable. Of course I don't have anything in my stash that will work so I will have to go shopping - poor me!

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  12. Anything you make Amanda would be beautiful. If it were me I would go with something less difficult to construct with less chance of it becoming a wadder. Unfortunately I tend not to take too many risks with my sewing but as I said, you sew so beautifully that I am sure you would make it a success. Given that, which would I pick if I had to buy it? Absolutely that pink tiered dress. Good luck. Will post some stuff soon, just waiting for DH to take some pics.

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  13. Loving your color scheme and can't wait to see the finished garments. I know they'll be Fabulous!!!!

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  14. I think the pink and grey colour scheme is a real winner and will suit you very well! Your fabrics are gorgeous. I'm eager to see how you get on with the New Look top pattern because I've got that one and seeing it here has just reminded me that I really want to make it. I think if you do decide on the ruffle dress it will definitely look super cute!

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  15. Loving that pink and grey color scheme. I have an idea for a mini-wardrobe, but am still trying to find the correct fabrics for it. Grrr.

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  16. I LOVE the ruffled dress pattern!! I think it will be great. Can't wait to see it!

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  17. Hi I really love your fabric selection especially the pink printed silk. Where did you purchase the 2facric and also what type of silk is it chiffon, crepe de chine I am not familiar with fabric names and would really like to get fabric like this for a dress I want to make

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