Partially Me-Made Fall Wardrobe
I can't believe it's almost Fall! As a school teacher, my mind is half screaming "Nooooooo, don't let the summer end!" and half thinking "I can't wait to get back in the classroom!"🤗
Fall is my absolute favorite season. Sweater weather and hot beverages is where it's at for me. I also love Fall colors and getting to wear cute boots😊. Speaking of boots, I need to go shopping lol.
Question: How do you decide which articles of clothing to make for yourself, and which to buy?
I thought a lot about that as I was thinking ahead toward Fall clothing. At first, I wanted to make an all-new Fall wardrobe made up entirely of me-made pieces... and then I came back down to reality 🤣. When it comes to sewing, I'm not the fastest, so I needed a more realistic plan. I ultimately decided on creating 5 looks, and each look would feature at least 1 item made (or altered) by me. To keep it economical, the rest of the items could be either thrifted or already in my closet.
So, how did I decide what to make vs. what to buy? Well, I decided to make those pieces that often don't fit me well in ready to wear. For example, I knew I could find decent fitting RTW pants. Most thrift stores have rows upon rows of jeans and slacks (many in excellent condition) and thanks to the invention of stretch denim, it's often just a simple alteration that's needed to get a perfect fit. I'm short so generally have to hem any pants that I buy, and I sometimes get gaping in the back, but adding an elastic is an easy way to fix that. On the other hand, finding a well fitting cardigan or jacket can be much more of a challenge (especially when thrifting). Most RTW blazers and cardigans sit all wrong on my body. My shoulders are narrower than average, my waist is short and my hips are wide, so I end up with all sorts of fit issues. Picture a jacket that's unnecessarily baggy at the waist (particularly in the back) and then suuuuuper tight across the hips and butt🤦🏾♀️ In this case, it's totally worth it for me to sew for myself. That way I can at least try to nail the fit. Altering jackets and blazers is of course possible, but they are often lined, which means LOTS of unpicking and I'm not about that life lol. Plus, well fitting, good quality jackets and blazers are often quite expensive, so this is one area where it might be more cost effective to make your own. Dresses is another area where I sometimes struggle. You've heard the saying, business in the front, party in the back? Well, mine are sometimes party in the front, and a whole mess in the back 😂
Anyway, for each look, I'm providing an estimated cost breakdown (in U.S. dollars). This is so that those of you who are also looking to create a custom wardrobe on a budget can maybe get some ideas and hopefully some inspiration.
Note: I don't provide the cost for the items I already owned (simply because I've had most of them so long that I don't remember what I paid for them). I will, however, provide brand names wherever possible. I also don't include the cost of notions (thread, buttons, etc.) unless I didn't have them on hand and had to specifically purchase them for the project.
Items made or altered by me have a star ⭐️next to them.
Ok so without further ado...
Look #1: A Refashion
Jacket⭐️: Refashioned from a sweater I purchased at a yard sale ($2). I also purchased a separating zipper from JoAnns with a coupon ($3.50)
Here is a link to the So Sew Easy video tutorial that I followed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RafX3W0RYhQ
Tan colored knit top: Thrifted for less than $1 from Goodwill. Brand: Mossimo
Blue Jeans: Already owned. Brand: refuge
Off-White Flats: Thrifted for $3.99 from Savers. Btw I love these shoes! Brand: croft & barrow
Total estimated cost: approximately $10.99
What I love about this look: This sweater-jacket is EVERYTHING. It is SO warm and cozy! Ironically, that's what I didn't like about it as a pullover sweater. I was overheating and it was too cumbersome to take on and off all the time. It serves nicely as a coat, and the zipper makes it easy to make adjustments for temperature changes.
Look #2: Bibi and Mimi
You may recognize this pinafore dress from my previous blog post where I styled it up with heels. I've dressed it down here for a more practical everyday look.
Pink Pinafore Dress⭐️: Made from 2 yards of stretch corduroy purchased at Savers. I got three yards for $5.00, so we'll say I spent $3.33 on this dress (don't quote me on anything related to math, but I think I did that right 🤣)
Pattern Used: Tilly and the Buttons: Bibi Pinafore (Sewing book: Stretch)
Sleeveless Knit Top⭐️: I'm calling this one "already owned" even though it's me-made. I made it such a long time ago that I honestly can't recall how much I paid for the fabric. I do remember getting it on clearance from JoAnn's though.
Pattern Used: Mimi G for Simplicity 8334 - I shortened it to a top and eliminated the button placket. This is a TNT pattern for me. I love the way it fits.
White Denim Jacket: Already owned, (brand is Baccini) but if you're looking for a similar jacket pattern, check out Mimi G and Norris' new pattern: Simplicity 8845. It comes with a detailed video tutorial and I'm currently working on one for my husband.
White Lace Sneakers: Thrifted from Savers ($3.99)
Total estimated cost: approx. $7.32
What I love about this look: I'm in love with the color. I've always been a fan of pink, but I think this particular shade really suits me.
Look #3: Faux Suede Freya
Olive Faux Suede Top⭐️: Fabric was purchased from FabricMart Fabrics on clearance for 3.20 per yard. I used about 1.5 yards, so $4.80.
Pattern Used: Tilly and the Buttons: Freya Sweater (Sewing book: Stretch) I opted not to do the mock turtleneck on this because the fabric isn't very breathable, and I'd rather not overheat. Also, the fabric didn't have the amount of stretch needed for the pattern, which is why the neckband is causing all those puckers around the neckline. I actually like the way they look, and I know some patterns are designed to be gathered like that up at the neckline, so I decided to leave it. What I'm discovering I really don't like about the top though, is that you can see all my fingerprints and handprints on the fabric. (That's my bad for choosing a fabric with nap lol, but it's all good because tbh, it's unlikely that I'll ever wear this top without a cardigan.
Blue Jeans⭐️: Thrifted from Goodwill for $1.00. I hemmed them to fit me. Brand is Riders by Lee.
Black Knit Cardigan: Thrifted from Goodwill for about $1.00.
Black Sneakers: Already owned. Brand: Drash (from Payless)
Total estimated cost: approximately $6.80
What I love about this look: I think the whole look, particularly with the cardigan, is very slimming! That's a win in my book.
Look #4: Another Freya
Tan and Black Checked Top⭐️: Made from two different jersey knits, both purchased for $1 per yard at Walmart. I'm really a Target girl myself, but someone tell me why they don't carry fabric?!!!
Pattern Used: Tilly and the Buttons: Freya Sweater (Sewing book: Stretch)
Blue Jeans⭐️: Same as Look #3 above ($1).
Black Knit Cardigan: Same as Look #3 above ($1).
Black Sneakers: Already owned (same as Look #3)
Total estimated cost: approx. $3.50
What I love about this look: It's easy. It's a throw it on, and head out the door kind of look. I prefer it with the cardigan because the vertical lines draw the eye upward, and I think it looks more slimming that way. I'm also not in love with the fit at the shoulders on this one. Overall though, I do like the look, and I sure do love the price!
Look #5: My FAVE
Navy Cardigan⭐️: Made from 2 yards of navy sweater knit purchased at Savers. I got about 4 yards for $8, so we'll estimate $4.
Pattern Used: Mccall's 7254
FYI: If you're not familiar with Lifting Pins and Needles on YouTube, I highly recommend checking it out! Link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kz_1XCMI8Vo&t=266s
As part of her "Up Close and Sew Personal" series, Karina walks you through how she put this pattern together, and she also explains how she tackled some fit issues. I found it extremely helpful, and I took her advice to do both under-stitching and topstitching for a nicer fit and finish. Thanks Karina!!! 💕
The only real fit issue I really had with this pattern was with the length. I shortened the bodice quite a bit. The pattern is designed to have a slightly dropped shoulder, but I think next time I'll bring them in just a smidge.
Sleeveless Top: Thrifted from Goodwill for $1. Brand: White House Black Market
Blue Jeans⭐️: Same as Look #3 above ($1).
Black Sneakers: Already owned (same as Look #3)
Total estimated cost: approx. $6
What I love about this look: The fit! And it's so cozy! This is definitely an instance where it paid off for me to make my own. It's not perfect, but it's a whole 99% better than what I would've found off the rack. And the design of this Mccall's cardigan is extremely clever: it's essentially a huge donut that gets stitched around the entire bodice, forming the shawl collar and back peplum all at once. I also love the color combination of the navy cardigan with the tan and white from the RTW top. Oh, and as a bonus, this cardigan was one of my "Make Nine" for 2019, so I get to check another one off the list! 6 down, 3 to go!
And that's it! 5 Fall looks that I know I'll wear for less than 35 dollars! And while it's not a fully interchangeable (like a true capsule wardrobe), some of the pieces can be mixed and matched (and traded out with other me-made and thrifted items in my closet) so I'm pleased as punch😊. Matter of fact, after I finished taking the photos for this blog post, I scored a super cute pair of black stretch jeans for $3 that I just know will look awesome with look #4. So many possibilities!
If you've read this far, thank you so much! I'd love to know which of these looks speak to you, so feel free to drop me a comment below! Have you made any of these patterns? If so, how did you like them? I'd also love to hear any suggestions you have for accessories that might be cute with any of these looks😊💗