My Mini-Wardrobe Is Done!

I'm really excited that I got this finished in time to enter it into the patternreview.com contest. It's the first time I've actually finished a contest. I only had to change one garment from my storyboard, which is pretty amazing. It helps that I used all TNT patterns. I'm telling you, everyone needs to have a set of basic patterns already fitted in the pattern drawer. Then when you want to sew something in a hurry, all you have to do is cut and sew. Alterations are so tedious, but very necessary. At least for me they are.

Anyway, there are some fantastic wardrobes entries into the contest, so be sure to check them out. Also, don't forget to vote in the contest. If you like my wardrobe, you can vote for me!

The first of the two pair of pants I made were these pull-on slacks made with Burda 2569. I've made these pants half a dozen times and need to make more because I've worn them to death. This pair in a classic charcoal color is going to be a well worn pair of pants as well. They fit great and are super comfortable. I absolutely love RPL, rayon, polyester, lycra. It washes up perfectly wrinkle free and because of the poly, won't fade, but because of the rayon they have beautiful drape. The lycra gives it enough stretch so I can sit comfortably while they are cut close to my body. What's not to love?

These are my TNT jeans pattern that I've used about half a dozen times as well. Like I said, get a good fitting basic pattern and you'll never want to try a new pattern again. I'm disappointed with the way these fit. The last time I used the pattern, I had gained a lot of weight so I enlarged the pattern. Now I'm down in weight and took those alterations back out, but forgot that I was using a stretch denim. I had to take them in even further, but they are still too big. However, if I had taken them in any more, than I wouldn't have been able to put my hands into the pockets. All in all, they still do fit and I will wear them. Especially when I want to feel like I'm wearing my pajama pants. They are so comfortable!

Next up is NL6940. It such a cute top pattern, very trendy right now. My fabric choice works very well, the flower placement happened purely by accident but I like how it turned out. I got this poly/lycra jersey from Michael Levine's Loft in downtown Los Angeles. This is the store where all the fabric is $2/pound. You have to do some of what I call dumpster diving, but it's really cardboard boxes you have to dig your way through. Sometimes I even find a great piece of fabric, like this one for example. I bought enough so that I can also make a dress for the summer with even some left over for a skirt.

This last pattern is NL 6735. I spent some time in my last blog post on this top so I won't discuss it much here. I'm really loving the placement of the embellishments. The flowers make this plain charcoal t-shirt look like something special. I had to add a belt to finish the look. I think embellishments and accessories are going to be my theme song for this year. Did you notice that I managed to sneek in the animal print fabric from my reject garment? I cut a strip of the fabric, didn't even finish the edges, and turned it into a scarf. I've fallen in love with animal prints, lucky for me they are in fashion right now!

I almost forgot to mention the last piece of my wardrobe. The contest rules required you incorporate a garment already in your closet. While I haven't had this jacket long, I didn't think I had enough items to wear it with as it is made with a fancy woven poly jacquard fabric in a basic color. I couldn't decide if it was dressy or casual. Now that I have pieces to wear with it, I think it can be both. Because it's poly it is really warm, but since it's not lined, it's very lightweight. Great to take with me when I travel, it won't wrinkle either. I picked it up when Khol's was having a big sale--but when are they not? It's a size 1X and was too large so I had to take it in at the sides. I didn't take in too much because I wanted it to be a layering piece.

Up next will be a new wardrobe based on a dark navy pair of denim pants. I haven't decided what pattern to use. I think they will just be some pull-on skinny pants. I already have a TNT pattern for them, of course.