'Til Next Year, Plaids!

Despite it being literally 16 degrees outside, I put away for the year the winter woolens that I did not get a chance to sew.

I am tired of wearing plaids and dark tweedy knits when fall is over and the new year begins.  Deep brown, dark green, maroon feel so very autumnal, and while Jan., Feb., and March are obvs winter months, I'm ready for lighter colors.  But because of the arctic temps, the garments still have to be in heavy fabrics. 

I'm really inspired by J Crew's color combos.  I generally dislike wearing pastels - I'm definitely a neutrals kinda gal. But I am so drawn to this outfit of blush pastels in JCrew's recent mailer. I want a creamy peach, or barely pink pencil skirt NOW.

Isn't the color combo here genius?

Michelle Obama's outfits in this InStyle feature would also be perfect - the colorful skirts topped with warm sweaters:

I left out this woolen that I picked up at Paron's Annex in the summer.

I need help deciding what jacket to make with it: I'm leaning towards the DKNY jacket Vogue 1067 because of the peter pan collar.  At first I was going to make a classic Chanel-style,  but I'd have to add trim, which I fear would compete with the colorful weave. 

Do you also struggle with what to wear in these in-between months?  What colors do you wear?

My New Years Sewing Resolution is to begin sewing clothes earlier in the season, so that I have items to wear when that season's weather arrives.  So don't be suprised to see floaty dresses in the upcoming months!  Hold me to this!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

There's just no time to sew!  I've been following your blogs, and I don't know how you all are finding the time.  I've spent the past few weekends baking cookies with my mother-in-law (she makes close to one hundred different kinds each year - it's crazy!).  The weeknights have been filled with shopping, holiday strolls... and watching Christmas movies while drinking eggnog and bourbon (discovered that combo this year... so bad).

I've actually worked on a few projects - ripping apart the unflattering black skirt, starting another one, and beginning a DIY knock-off of a Michael Kors coat (can't wait to finish it and post the styled pics!).  I simply haven't had time to sit down and finish the hand sewing.

In the past three weeks since returning from vacation, I've finished one project: placemats for my mother-in-law for Christmas.  I used instructions from Martha Stewart, but used thin batting instead of interfacing, and did a double row of top stitching.

I have next week off, but am going home to Pennsylvania for Christmas, so the placemats will probably be the last sewing I'll do this year.  Much more planned once life is back to normal.  Enjoy the holidays, and happy sewing... even if it's only in your dreams....