Just like many sewists out there, I have a fabric stash in my closet (and a yarn stash!)　Because I didn’t sew much last year, that pile is only getting bigger and bigger.

So I thought it’ll be good to organize my thoughts on how I want to use them.

I took photos of my springy fabric and did quick sketches of patterns to come up with perfect matches. The scale of prints are a bit off, but you can still get an idea!

I don’t think I can actually make all of them listed here, but at least I can come back to this post next year and will be able to remember what I’m planning on making.

This one is going to be a long post, so grab a drink and read on!

Gingham shirt

Fabric: Light weight cotton from Eweknit (Check & Stripe Gingham Check Pistachio)

Pattern: Archer Button Up Shirt by Grainline Studio

This fabric is light-weight and soft! I think it’s even lighter than a typical lawn.

It’s by Check & Stripe which is a Japanese fabric store. I was pleasantly surprised that a Canadian store is carrying some of their fabric.

I think this fabric is going to make a beautiful classic button up shirt like Archer.

Purple floral dress

Fabric: Cotton lawn from Blackbird Fabrics

Pattern: Indigo Dress by Tilly and the Buttons

I’m especially excited about this one! It’s been a while since I made a dress.

This dress pattern (below) from a Japanese sewing book, Joy of Sewing, could also work really well.

This one is almost exactly what I want to make, so as long as the sizing (fit) is okay, I might use this one.

This book is designed by talented Moipon, and her designs are so great! If you like styles from 50s and 60s, then do check it out!

Because the size inclusivity is a huge topic in the sewing community, I feel that I should mention that the size range in this book is much smaller than typical North American/European patterns.

It’s actually not just this book, but most of Japanese sewing books aren’t very size inclusive, because (I think) it’s hard to include so many different pattern pieces when the sewing patterns come in a book format. (It’s the same with Japanese knitting books too.) I love the designs on Japanese craft books, so hopefully that may change in the future!

If the fit is tricky with this pattern, then I’ll probably do a mash up of the two patterns!

I’m thinking of pairing this dress with white sneakers and sandals during spring/summer, and then black leather shoes/boots and a black jacket in fall.

Stripe shirt

Fabric: Cotton lawn from Cotton + Steel (Rifle Paper & Co. Amalfi collection)

Pattern: Willamette Shirt by Hey June Handmade

I’ve been planning on making this shirt for a couple of years now, and I’m hoping to finally make it this year.

I’ve made three Willamette in 2019 but sadly I had to donate them since they became too big on me. I love this pattern so much, I can’t wait to make more that fits me now!

Willamette is also awesome for striping fabric because it’s got dolman sleeves (no setting sleeves) which means I don’t have to do a stripe matching on sleeve pieces!

Two more Willamette

Fabric: Cotton lawn (lemon), viscose poplin (goldfish)

Pattern: Willamette Shirt by Hey June Handmade

If you recognized these fabric, then you’ve been reading my blog for a while (thank you!)

With lemon fabric, I made a Willamette in 2019, and with goldfish one I made a dress. They’re now both too big (I’ve donated about 70% of my clothes lately!) I think I still have enough fabric to make shirts out of them (I’ll probably have to use the skirt part of the dress with the goldfish one.)

Liberty floral top

Fabric: Thorpe Tana Lawn from Liberty of London (purchased from Blackbird Fabrics)

Pattern: To be determined

I’ve been collecting a few Liberty fabrics! Their Tana Lawn is absolutely beautiful.

This one is probably going to be my very first time sewing with them which I’m very excited about.

I haven’t picked a pattern for this one yet, but I want a sleeveless top with a generous coverage around shoulders and armholes. I think a swing (flared) top would be so cute to wear with jeans! I might try and self-draft a pattern for this, we’ll see!

More lemon tops

Fabric: Both cotton lawn from Japan

Pattern: Scout Tee by Grainline Studio

I don’t know what it is about the lemon print for summer, but I seem to keep buying them. They’re so fresh and fun and perfect for light-weight woven T-shirts.

The blue striped one is the same one that I made a Lemon Maxi Dress with.

Linen tops

Fabric: Linen from Blackbird Fabrics, Washed Linen in Green and 5.5 oz Softened Linen in Dark Denim

Pattern: Cielo Top by Closet Core Patterns

Light-weight linen tops for summer! I don’t think I can go wrong with that.

Cielo top has cropped length, so I might lengthen tiny bit. Either way, they’re going to be very cute and practical for summer.

Vacation print shirt

Fabric: Quilting cotton from Cotton + Steel, Rifle Paper & Co. Les Fleurs collection

Pattern: Gilbert Top from Helen’s Closet Patterns

I like open collar shirts for warm weather, because they’re much more breezy.

But ok, how is this pattern different from Willamette, you might ask?

While Willamette has dolman sleeves (no sleeve setting), and has no bust darts, Gilbert Top has regular shirt sleeves and bust darts.

I thought those features might work better for this fabric which is a quilting cotton, slightly heavier and more crisp than cotton lawn.

Black short jacket

Fabric: Black ponte knit

Pattern: Morris Blazer by Grainline Studio

I’ve been wanting to make this jacket for a few years now. Morris is simple, unlined, light weight jacket that seems perfect for spring and fall. I’m sure this’ll be so practical (yet stylish!) to have in my wardrobe.

I think I’ve covered most of the things I want to make at the moment!

As you can see, lots of casual tops, and not a lot of other things. Which is a little bit different from usual, as I like making and wearing dresses so much.

But since I’m still at home most of the time, casual tops would get the most wear this spring/summer. I’m also refashioning some of the items, so there’s not a lot of fabric to work with, hence the simple tops would work the best.

Hopefully I can actually sew most of these things on the list!

What’s on your list to sew at the moment?

Apr 26, 2021

Spring/Summer Sewing Plans