A few years ago, I filmed a DVD (How to Sew a Travel Wardrobe) about creating a wardrobe for Threads Magazine, and we followed up on that idea with an article in the magazine (Feb/March, 2016). As I was writing the article, I quickly set up some outfits on a mannequin in my studio and took photos. I thought you might like to see those photos, so I'm posting them here.
In these first photos, I'm showing you how one top can coordinate with different pairs of pants (or skirts). It's helpful to begin with a couple of neutral colors, then branch out.
This is the Ebb top from the Ebb and Flow pattern. It's made in an off-white rayon, so it's soft and drapes beautifully on the body. Here, it's shown with One-Seam Pants in black and white houndstooth check. The top's color is versatile, so I'll show you how it can be worn with other pants. Note the necklace to bring black up to the top of the outfit, making the whole look coordinated. Also, the buttons match the color of the top, adding to its versatility.
Staying with the black and white idea, here's Ebb again with a neutral pant and the Artist in Motion vest in black. This vest was made in a soft wool, but rayon or another drapey fabric would also work well. It's so much fun to make and wear, as it is one-size-fits-all and only 2 pieces to assemble. And, of course, this vest would also pair with the Ebb top and the black and white houndstooth check pants in the previous photo.
Here's the Ebb top once again with My Swing Set pants made in a gold-glazed linen. Note that I changed the necklace. This one looks good but was quite inexpensive; it is just that "third piece" that completes the look.
Here are the same gold-glazed linen pants. This time they are paired with a top in a printed linen. It's a modified version of the top from Anything but Ordinary. Louise calls it her "go-to" top. You can find out how she makes it on our Facebook Forum. Notice that the background of the print is a neutral color, but the print contains blue, green, red, and yellow--all colors that could show up in coordinating garments.
And here's the Ebb top again with a pair of blue linen One-Seam Pants. The "go-to" top from Anything but Ordinary in the previous photo could also be worn with these pants.
Let's see where we can go from here.
I made a shirt/jacket from the Take Me Anywhere pattern in the same blue linen. Now I have a 3-piece outfit. Remember that the printed "go-to" top could also work here--so 2 outfits.
Where can we go from here?
Well, we can pair the shirt/jacket with the pants and wear those 2 pieces as an outfit. A scarf in a print that contains some blue would accent this beautifully. Scarves make great vacation souvenirs!
Can we take this a step further? YES.
The same outfit (shirt/jacket and pants) with the "third piece", which is now a vest from the Discover Something Novel pattern. The vest makes this a more casual but coordinated outfit.
Plus, the vest contains both off-white and black. It could be the "third piece" when combined with the off-white Ebb top and the black and white houndstooth check pants. It could also work well with the off-white Ebb top and the blue linen pants.
We had some white linen in the warehouse, so . . . . . .
I made a top from the Just My Style pattern in white linen, with blue buttons on the pockets to coordinate with the pants and shirt/jacket. The Discover Something Novel vest could go over this white top, since its printed fabric also contains white.
I hope I've given you some ideas for beginning with a couple of garments in neutral colors that work together, then finding a print that contains both your neutrals as well as some accent colors, allowing you to branch out. Quick, go dig around in your stash and see what you can come up with!!
If you have questions or suggestions for topics, please contact me at sandy@cuttinglinedesigns.com. I'd love to hear from you.
