Planning a Capsule Wardrobe for Girls
Part One
Every year when the temperature begins to warm up, I dream about how I could create my girls’ entire summer wardrobe. I imagine the girls running around in adorable, yet wearable clothing and know it is going to hold up because I made it. I think about my fabric stash and how I could buy more if I would make use of the piles that are breaking the shelves in different areas of my house. So, why take the time to put together a capsule you ask…
- Less Laundry!! Praise the Lord
- Kids can dress themselves and still look like they are put together!
- Save Money. Less clothing (whether sewing or buying) saves you money! Ka-ching… you can by more fabric with the money you saved. Woot!
- Clothing will fit your child better. (if you are sewing custom made pieces.)
I’m tired of all the laundry and my children walking out the door looking as if they are color blind. I seriously wish you could see what one of them wore to school today. Her thought process was that if a shirt didn’t have bottoms to match, and bottoms didn’t have a top to match, then non-matchers match because they both don’t have matches. Are you following that at all?! #hotmess #chooseyourbattles
If you still aren’t sure what a capsule wardrobe is, it is basically a collection of interchangeable pieces that make a wardrobe. Tops, bottoms, layering pieces, and accessories can all be swapped around to create different looks. So let’s talk about planning a capsule. There are a few things that I’ve found to be helpful when starting this journey. I’ve also created a planning guide that you can print an use to help you layout a plan for your own capsule.
Click to Download your Printable Version of my Girl Capsule Planning Guide.
Create a Timeline
I’ve found every year when I get to thinking about tackling a capsule I spend a ton of time searching the web for patterns and fabric, but never actually accomplish the goal I have in my mind. This year I’m setting a timeline. I’ve found that I will hold myself accountable when I give myself timelines and due dates. I hope you will set a timeline and share that with me as well. This will help us all hold each other accountable. Leave your timeline in the comments below, AND post them to Instagram and tag me and include #capsulesewcial
Here is my personal timeline for that capsule I’m hoping to create.
Choose Your Patterns
Some would suggest choosing a color scheme next, but I think patterns are the next logical step because I need to keep in mind the types of fabrics they call for. This is especially important since I am sewing a wardrobe from my fabric stash. If you want to choose your fabrics first, do it. It’s your project! I’m keeping in mind I want mostly everyday wear, but also want to include some pieces that can be paired to go out for a nice dinner too. My intention is to choose patterns that I already own, know, and trust for the main portion of my plan. I’m going to be sure to include some posts about my favorite patterns in case you are curious. I am not planning to make complicated pieces since this is a summer wardrobe.
Choose a Color Scheme
Choose a color scheme so that you know ahead of time your pieces will be interchangeable. We want the bottoms and tops to be able to swap around and still create a good look. The planning guide includes swatch circles for main prints, accents, and neutrals. Tops and bottoms don’t have to match each other, but we want all the tops to go with each bottom.
I’ll go ahead and share my color scheme is going to be “Summer Sailor” as I’m making use of some of the awesome fabrics I won from Project Run and Play a few weeks ago. It’s going to include a lot of Navy, Red, White, Yellow and some Greens too. I’ll be sharing my theme swatches on Instagram later this week.
After you choose your scheme… Think about what pieces you already have that work with this. If you have pieces that already go, that’s less you have to sew! I know I’m going to be using pieces from my final week on Project Run and Play to help me get started.
Print and Tape Patterns
I have to break my Printing, Taping, Cutting, and Sewing into different time frames or I won’t complete some of my goals. If I can get everything printed and cut, then sewing is the fun part. I have to get to the fun part as quickly as possible or fabric will sit in piles un-touched.
Cut
Just do it. Take a few days to cut EVERYTHING out. Organize your pieces by utilizing gallon size ziplock bags or have a set table where you can lay things out in an organized fashion. I would like to think if I go ahead an cut everything at once I will be more motivated to finish sewing it. I hate the cutting process, so if the worst is over then I’ll be more motivated to follow through.
Sew, Sew, Sew
Yay! This is the fun part. This is where to start to see it all come together and maybe geek out a little bit because you didn’t have to go to Old Navy or Crazy 8 to buy all your kids clothes. I’m going to try to share my works-in-progress to help keep us all motivated, and I hope you all will do the same too!
Photograph and Share
I want us all to be able to share and celebrate our successes. I can’t wait to see all the creations and how we will really see the benefits of putting together these capsules. Don’t forget to share all your progress and creations using the tag #capsulesewcial so we can watch and encourage anyone following along.