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Wednesday 2 November 2011

SWAP 2012 thoughts & Party outfits advice wanted

The SWAP thread on Stitchers Guild is still undergoing questions, including various exceptions which confuse me as they appear counter to the main rule set, but perhaps these will be incorporated into a final rule set before sewing actually starts and this will address the current apparent contradictions.

I must say I'm not hugely enamoured of the 'new' rules as they seem a long way from the wardrobing approach of 6 tops, 4 bottoms and a jacket which was the orginal SWAP, but hey its not all about me, and I'll eventually find a way to sew a new SWAP plus some extras to fill things out (especially more knit tops).

I had already planned a colour scheme and theme for SWAP before the rules were published and still like it a lot, however I'm not going to share that here or on SG until much later. That's because I've had experiences of people being so inspired by my mood boards they copied it directly before I had time to sew things up which was rather a shame and rather took the wind out of my sails. Sorry about that folks, but you will get to see it at the end of SWAP when you can judge for yourself how closely I stuck to my original inspiration.

I had my powerpoint slide of the mood board printed off, and one key fabric which seems to sum up the whole collection nearby and then have been through most of my fabric stash  deciding what would work and what would not work. This was not quite everything as there's some fabric I recall owning which I have not yet found, presumably still in a moving box someplace. As ever this is enough fabric for about 3 collections but since its every piece which might work, and of course could be too short yardage, wrong weight/fibre etc when examined more closely etc I'm happy enough with that and it gives me a starting point.
When sewing capsules, wardrobes or collections I like to have a few alternatives for when things just do not work out as expected. And pretty much each time I have a few things which work better than I expected and a few other things which didn't quite live up to the original vision. I see this as part of the creative process and don't beat myself up about it too much, but it does mean I need some extra options for when things go a bit a pear shaped.

I still need to think what I am going to do in terms of more Autumn/Winter sewing, as well as what I should do for dressy events over Christmas.
I already have one week with 3 Christmas events on consecutive evenings (Wed, Thu, Fri of the same week) which blows my usual '1 outfit for all events' approach out of the water as not enough time to launder. I have one sleeveless dressy dress which is red and I tend to wear for both weddings and Christmas things as well as various sparkly blouses/tops and plain trousers, so I probably need to get it all out and try on to see what works and what doesn't. Because the sparkly stuff gets so much less wear I tend to keep it for a lot longer and it may have dated rather.

Remember I am a not too slender pear, with long wavy hair and newly single.... what do you suggest?
(Edited to add make that 4 on 4 consecutive nights, the date of the Church Youth Ball (I help as a youth leader so kinda need to go to this) is now confirmed and is the Saturday after all the others!)

12 comments:

Sherril said...

I've been giving this contest some thought as well and have decided that I like the pattern stash contest on PR better for where I am right now. It's a new season and I have tons of patterns for fall and winter that I've been waiting to sew and I can do a wardrobe from them without following any rules. Except, of course, that I use patterns from the stash.

pdiddly said...

Ruthie - I have only just looked at the SWAP - I would like to say I will enter, but I need to be far more organised like you with a mood board etc I guess.... I haven't read the pattern stash contest on PR - I seem to have as many patterns and fabrics I could do either.

I can't believe that people steal your complete idea I don't understand that.

As for suggestions for your Xmas outfits - you could always do a black bottom (skirt or trousers) and then a few different tops - unless of course you prefer dresses for Christmas - be slightly quicker

SewRuthie said...

I dont think it was deliberately stealing, just someone so liked the colour combos and patterns I chose in my plan (this was a PR contest) that they decided to use a lot of them for their entry. I didn't actually use that plan because of that, and was less happy therefore with my entry which used my second choice plan to be different. So here I am going to be a bit more cautious and share after the event. At that point people are welcome to be as inspired as they like!
I know I am inspired by things others write, sew and share so don't want to be daft about it.

pdiddly said...

Ruth - take a look at this black lace cardigan - I have some stretch black lace so will definitely see if I can do a knock-off of this - might be one for your Xmas outfits

http://www.madeleine-fashion.co.uk/Search/Your-Search-5473420/Page-1/Cardigan-Lace-top-Trousers-Necklace-144825/Cardigan-105072/index.html

SewRuthie said...

Very nice cardigan, and I even have suitable fabric. A modified cardiwrap (perhaps just the short version would do it I should think).

pdiddly said...

you could wear this like they have done with a pair of trousers or look great with a little dress too. Be really quick to make.

Ann said...

For Christmas, I think making that lace top would be great. Do it in your neutral (dark brown) along with your pants or skirt and add a nice coloured knit top under it. Do you have a red that you wear? It would be really nice done up like that. Then take the skirt or pants and add other tops for Christmas. Add some crystals or beads or a signature necklace and you will be ready.

Audrey said...

I always love your SWAP's because they are so uniquely you; colors and styles that look great on you. I can understand your reluctance to reveal all your plans at once. I think I understand the reason behind this year’s SWAP rules but they seem a bit restrictive for me and though designed to inspire participation are actually scaring me off. 4 holiday events in a week. yikes! I get stressed deciding what to wear for one. You have so many lovely solid color knit tops. I would think about dressing up with sparkly jewelry, or wear them with a black skirt or pants made of a fabric with a little bit of metallic shine or tone on tone sequins. I like the lace cardigan idea too.

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