Spring Sewing (and Shopping) Inspiration

Every year, right around this time, there’s a lull in my sewing. Often, its because there are SO MANY fall sales and I’m trying to stock up on cardigans, shoes, and essentials for next winter. Sometimes, its because I’m taking inventory of what the kids have that will fit into March/April. Other times its because I am all over the place and haven’t yet nailed down a plan for the season.

At the moment, I’m all over the place. A plan is definitely in order. I like to look for inspiration for a week or so and then sit down to make a list of what I’ll be making for the kids and what I’ll be buying. Making all the kids clothes would be wonderful, but realistically, there’s not enough time for that. Or enough time to iron all of that once it’s made.

In the following blog post you will find a list of the ways I find inspiration for a season’s worth of garments. Listed are the various color palettes, fabrics, and ready-to-wear garments that are speaking to me right now. I’m currently in the inspiration stage of the plan-making :).

COLOR PALETTE

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Often I choose a color palette for a season, mainly so that I can buy shoes, bows, cardigans, and tights that are appropriate for multiple outfits. It will also help me choose ready-to-wear garments that need to purchased. Above you will see some color combinations that I’m loving. In reality I’ll probably choose some colors from each of these palettes but its so fun to see them laid out like this. Once colors are chosen, I’ll write them down at the top of my “plan.” By writing down exactly which colors I’ll be using for a season it helps me refrain from buying fabric that “is such a good deal” or “is so pretty, with such unique colors” but often just sits in my stash. If the kids don’t have any shoes, bows or sweaters to match it, I will not end up sewing anything from it, so its best to just save my money and refrain.

Fabric as Inspiration

Occasionally I will run across a fabric to base all of my color choices for a season around. I recently ordered this Liberty of London Lawn, seen to the right, from Farmhouse Fabrics….it could be that fabric for me this season. Its got navy, which is one of my favorite neutrals, a couple shades of green, red and white. They’re all colors that can be muted for the end of winter, or brightenned as we near Fourth of July. Its also a fabric that can easily be matched to tons of ginghams, seersuckers, and solid fabrics, which makes it perfect for brother/sister matches.

When in doubt, do as Kate does.

One of the fail-safe approaches I use for inspiration is to look at what Princess Charlotte has worn. Often I’ll choose a couple of her dresses (or dresses made to mimic hers) to make and then base the rest of Maria’s (and then Robby’s wardrobe) around them. Here are a few that are adorable.

Her dresses are almost always one of Children’s Corrner Patterns. In the above examples they are the Lee and the Victoria. Its not a surprise that these are some of my most used, most worn out patterns.

Ready-to-wear as Inspiration

Another approach is to look at brands that have their Spring lines out. If a garment is exactly what I want, reasonably priced, and an every-week staple, I’ll usually just buy it. I find that to be the case with Beaufort Bonnet a lot. Most of my kids play clothes end up being from there. Often, in more dressy/Sunday clothes there will be something I want to tweak about a ready-to-wear garment and I end up making it myself. Here are some spring garments that I’m loving and can see myself tweaking for my kids.

I’m loving the Children’s Corner Katina for Spring and Summer for Maria. She only had one last year and it was hands down, her most worn dress. I’ll be making a few this year for every-day and dressier wear. I love the added pocket and gathered hem on the two above from The Proper Peony. The dresses aren’t exactly Katina’s but I’m thinking either that, Hannah’s Sundress from Collars Etc, or a sleeveless Lee, will give me the look I want.

Occasionally, with ready-to-wear garments I cannot help but try to figure out what pattern(s) to use to make it. That is definitely the case with the light blue dress above on the right…I’m currently in the middle of figuring it out…so stay tuned!

This Spring and Summer will be my major chance to put Robby in as many bubbles as humanly possible. So you can bet I’ll be scouring the internet for boy bubble ideas. I see tons of Children’s Corner Taylors, My favorite Sunsuits, and Michie Playsuits in his future. Paired with these keds in the spring, and these sandals in the summer, bubbles are little boy perfection. Period.

Patterns as Inspiration

There are a few patterns that I have that I have not used or have not mastered. I really enjoy doing a pattern until I feel like I can do it without reading the directions. Because of that, there are a few patterns that are must-do’s for my Spring and Summer sewing.

• The Museum Dress: I’ve recently made this in an heirloom version. I’m thinking it can be done for much less money and in a less formal way. Check back to follow my progress. I’m thinking this fabric.
• The Harper: I’ve never made this pattern! Can you even believe that! It’s time.
• Collars Etc Hannah’s Sundress: I’ve had this pattern for at least a year. I have NO idea why I haven’t made it. It’s happening.

Don’t Forget the Accessories!

Last but not least, I’ll list the accessories that need purchased or made. Each child will get a couple of pairs of footmate sandals that go with as many of the outfits as possible. I love the footmate sandals because they have a faux buckle on the top strap-its really attached with velcro.

They’ll also get fresh Keds as needed (their current pairs are still fitting…and because they’re keds they still look brand new).

Also, I just ran across these sweaters on Amazon…I may be giving them a try this year. The colors are adorable and the price is amazing. If anyone has tried them and liked them, let me know. The reviews seem great.

Then of course there are the bathing suits, I’m not sure I’ll look for those just yet, but I suspect they’ll be showing up in my feed and email soon.

As you can tell, a lot of these sources of inspiration overlap and are all over the place. As they’re written down, it becomes very clear what should be on my sewing and shopping list in the next month or two. I’m so glad you’ve followed me down this rabbit-hole. Hopefully it gave you some good ideas for your next sewing project :).