Design Your Summer Wardrobe Outfit #1

Back in... February?  March?  Oh, who knows anymore.  Anyway, back before the pandemic/lockdown/quarantine I took a class through Seamwork called Design Your Wardrobe.  The class was focused on learning to plan a seasonal wardrobe based on style, climate and life context.  This was HUGE for me as I tend to get super excited about a fabric or pattern then whip something up before really thinking through things like, "Will this go with anything I currently own?" or "Is this my style?" or "Do I really need a crop top right now in December?" which is why I have several garments that I wear once then forget about.  So I planned all of these amazing pieces that would go well with each other and created an overall theme/style for this summer.  Here's my mood board:

I was so excited to get started on all my wonderful projects and work toward having a me-made wardrobe, not just me-made pieces.  Then I got sick.  My literal first month of sewing after the class was just staring at my mood board from my bed.  Finally a couple of weeks ago I was able to sew without landing myself in bed for hours (or days) afterward.  The life contexts I had designed for were: 1) Hanging around the house 2) Out and about with the kids 3) At the lake.  Well, what better context for this particular time than hanging around the house?  That's pretty much life right now.  So I finally made my first whole outfit!  The kids helped me take some pictures to capture exactly what hanging around the house looks like for me these days.  The outfit is exactly what I planned but the routine... not so much.

Both patterns are from Seamwork (seemed fitting since they provided the class).  The pants are Seamwork Moji and the top is Seamwork Aberdeen.  The pants are a size 10 with a 1 1/2" increase in the back rise for a full-rear adjustment.  They are a true drawstring which I don't think I'll do again... I like the drawstring as a backup or even design feature rather than the entire means of holding my pants up.  Still, the fit is great and since I used leather cording for the drawstring there is no worry about the tie coming loose.  The fabric is a lightweight denim thrift store find that required some serious pattern piece maneuvering to avoid bleached and damaged spots.  I added matching leather trim to the pockets and I think it gives the pants a fun southwest feel.

The top is made out of a cotton jersey knit and I used scraps from another project for the sleeves and neckband.  I've wanted to make this top for about a year but I've been in this weird sewing funk and I was too intimidated even though it's a beginner pattern.  I love how the colors work together and I think the outfit is fantastically cool and cozy.

I am slowly regaining confidence in my sewing ability.  Honestly, I don't know what my problem has been lately.  I'll sew jeans but cower before a simple knit shirt.  Ugh.  Anyway, I'm excited to have my first outfit done and today I cut out the pattern for my next outfit.  I get to try french seams for the first time!  Yay?