My Summer Essentials

Thanks to all the wonderful sewists who have signed up for the Summer Essentials Sew-Along! Folks are already posting their lists of essentials and photos in the Flickr group and seeing everyone’s plans not only fills me with inspiration, but it’s stirring that little bundle of desire inside of me. My internal dialogue goes something like this:

Oooh, pretty print!
And a playsuit!
Look at the collar on these blouses!
Focus. You already have your own list of essentials.
Ah, but this dress!
Focus, Ali. Seriously.
Maybe I can alter the leg on those capris.

Sigh. So I decided I’d post my essentials list or I’d be ready to scrap everything all together and just sew whatever I can’t resist at the moment. Strangely, it’s the weather that’s keeping me focused. It’s been very hot here, and it’s only going to be reaching closer and closer to 100 degrees, and I can only bear to wear the few things I own that are cool and most are a little blah style-wise. It definitely reiterates the fact that I’ll need more to get me through the summer stylishly.

I know I’ve talked about my space- and fabric-issues elsewhere on this blog, but I chose my essentials with these thoughts vaguely in mind:

• The garment meets the “rule of three”: It will match with three things I already own, no orphans here. Dresses don’t count, but I should at least foresee wearing it at least three times. I’ve made two dresses and only worn them each once. I don’t go that many places that require prettiness.
• The patterns are classic yet versatile and so have high re-make potential.
• Brownie points if I can make it using fabric from my stash.
• Extra brownie points if, upon placing the new handmade item in the closet, I donate something from it that I don’t really love and probably never wear.

To the list!

Clam Diggers & Co.


BurdaStyle Ruby Shorts in cream gabardine and shiny, black(?) buttons. These are very near completion, hallelujah. I’m finishing the back waistband and need to do the cuffs.

Sweet & Sassy Skirt, The Sun Dress





These are both a direct nod to my MMM compatriots. The skirt, McCalls 5803, has been sewn by Tasia at least three times. And I was introduced to the dress pattern (Burda 7829, Version C) through Jodi’s blog; she's sewn an army of them.

There are many more skirt and dress patterns I’m coveting, but these are both full-skirted, which means breezy walking! No restrictions while sitting! To me, both of these patterns have classic appeal. They’re feminine without being frilly. Skirt in blue, perhaps a very dark navy, and dress in a maroon batik, inspired by this dress from The Sew Weekly.

Tees, Tunics & Blouses



As soon as I found this 1950s pattern in an antique shop in Boulder Creek, Calif., I knew it was just what I needed. I plan on sewing version 3 in white, and I’ll try version 4 in a print if I have time. I think this’ll be so, so versatile. It’ll go with all my existing bottoms and my full skirt.



Part of Cecili’s Sew-Along, this Japanese top will be nice and airy. Once I draw the pattern tomorrow, I'll have a better idea of what this might look like and the fit. But so far I like the clean lines and the charcoal gray fabric (from the boy’s stash; he sews a bit too) is drape-y.

Poolside Pretty



I can’t believe I’m going to attempt this, but I really have no swimsuit I’ve ever really loved. If I’m going to be that exposed, I want to feel confident. This swimsuit is a one-piece but with nice design elements that make it look stylish. I’m still deciding on the fabric, probably stripes or dots.

Those Summer Nights

I’m going to attempt to self-draft a pattern for a red cardigan with big black (or white, something high-contrast) buttons using two patterns from the Sew U series, but this 1960s pattern (top left image, pattern available on Etsy) reflects a bit of what I have in mind with a raglan sleeve. A 3/4 length sleeve, body length falling between the waist and the hip.



Whew! I feel back on track. I’m excited about all of these and I know I’ll use them lots. I'm sure I'll veer away from this list and then find my way back. I'm already getting exposed to wonderful patterns, color combinations, and prints (I’m still shy in this area!) on the Flickr group. So I may swap one out, but we'll wait 'til we get there!

So yes, feel free to change your lists as we go along. This is all about five things YOU need this summer.

Stay tuned, I'll whip up a list of our fabulous participants. Happy sewing!