Sewing plans for 2011

I'm a big planner and list maker. It helps me remember to get things done. Unfortunately, once plans are made there are always new tangents I choose to follow, which mean that some projects never make it to the machine.

I thought I'd let you see some of my immediate plans for sewing for me. This is for me only and doesn't includes sewing for the kids, home or making money. Hopefully be putting them here it might help get them done.

First up Simplicity 2360. I've already made one failed garment from this pattern, but that was more about poor fabric choice. This time I have enough fabric to make it with the flounces and the fabric itself is quite 'me' - grey, patterned poly charmeuse - unlike the last time.

This should be on the machine today. So stayed tuned for photo progress.

Next is New Look 6002. I'm planning on making the far right view of this frock. I have a wedding to attend in mid February and this is what I'll hopefully be wearing. I'm making it from a satin backed shantung. The reason I purchased this fabric is that I wanted a textured, matt dress fabric and while I'd love to be able to afford silk dupion, it's not really in my budget right now. I'm going to make this in black and hoping to use one of the many quilting cottons I own on the waist band, possibly something from Innocent Crush by Anna Maria Horner. I think this is a nice way to feature one of these stunning, vibrant fabrics in a dress without making a dress from them.

After reading this review on Green Apples of Vogue 8028, I decided that I needed a shirt dress or my own. There's another great one here on the Tessuti blog. This one might sit around for a little while though, while I pick the right fabric, but it's also more of a cooler weather frock. I'll also probably be making this dress with long sleeves for my mother in law. My father in law cares for her full time after a massive stroke in 2009. He really wants her to have some new clothes that button down the front, as that's the easiest style to dress her in. Again, I just need to find a fabric for him and time!

I've had these black, stretch linen pants on the list for a while now. They are Simplicity 3850, a Built By Wendy pattern that I've made before. They are cut and ready to go. As I'm hoping to get a casual job this year, probably night work in hospitality, these will probably be functional work pants. Boring, but necessary.

This next project is a salvage attempt. I got a little caught up on Grosgrain's Frock by Friday in August and while I never intended to make her dress, I was quite intrigued by the Alexander Blouse on BurdaStyle. I snapped up the pattern, made modifications as noted here by the Slapdash Sewist, cut and sewed. Unfortunately, I forgot to make fitting modifications! Namely grading the pattern to accommodate my massive waist! (joke).
So while it looks OK, there is no ease in the waist, meaning I can't eat, breathe or move when I wear this blouse.

In an effort to salvage this fabric that I adore (yes it's Anna Maria Horner voile), I'm going to make OOP Simplicity 5500. It has buttons down the back, which is the only reason why I should have enough fabric to make it. Hopefully this project will also get made quickly, so I can wear it soon.

Lastly, here's a stash of lovely vintage patterns that I've received lately that I'd love to make. No concrete plans for any of them, but I like them. The bottom three patterns were actually from my husband's Nana, who lives not far from me. She's made them for her girls, my Aunty and Mother in Law, which is just so nice to think about.

So there you are. My plans for now, which are likely to change on a whim. Already I have spied Simplicity 2444 that I love and am dying to make! Now the husband is back at work, kids at daycare, so I must go hit the machine!