Sewing A Core Wardrobe

 

Sewing A Core Wardrobe

Over the past year, I have been sewing a core wardrobe of twelve pieces that makes 80 outfits.  I took on this project in order to give a presentation to the Lansing Clippers American Sewing Guild Chapter about how to make a core wardrobe.

A core wardrobe is a set of essential articles of clothing that coordinate with each other to create many outfits.  A well-planned core wardrobe will allow you to always have something to wear in your closet and deciding what to wear will be easy!

You can create a core wardrobe by sewing one or by taking some articles from your closet and buying some others to coordinate with what you already have.  Here are some tips to help you.

  1. Choose two or three neutral colors, i.e., black, gray, navy, beige, tan, white, etc. for your bottom pieces.
  2. Decide how many pieces will be in your wardrobe.  I chose twelve because that will give me many outfits if all the pieces coordinate with each other.
  3. Decide how many of those pieces will be bottom pieces (pants, capris, jeans, and skirts), top pieces (blouses, shirts, sweaters), and how many will be layering pieces (jackets and vests).  I chose four bottom pieces, five top pieces, and three layering pieces.
  4. List your bottom pieces in a small notepad that will fit in your purse.  Mark the color of each bottom piece with a crayon.  If you already have fabric for the bottom pieces, staple or tape a small sample beside each piece. 
  5. As you choose or sew your tops, make sure each one looks good with all your bottom pieces.  You should list each top along with a fabric sample.
  6. Then decide on your layering pieces.  Make sure each piece will coordinate with all your top and bottom pieces.  List each layering piece in your notebook and attach a fabric sample.

Below are pictures of all twelve pieces I made for my core wardrobe.  I divided them into three groups: bottom pieces, tops, and layer pieces.

Bottom Pieces

Gray Pants
         
Black Pants 

Grape Jeans 

Jean Skirt 

Top Pieces

Kayla Shirt

Black Print Top 
 
Pink Top  
   
Green Top 

White Sweater  
 
 

Layer Pieces

 Black Jacket  
 
Denim Jacket 

Black Vest 
 

If you make sure everything coordinates, you should have 80 outfits.  Here is how it worked for me:

My gray pants with each of the five tops     =      5 outfits

The black pants with each of the five tops   =      5 outfits

The grape jeans with each of the five tops   =      5 outfits

The grape jean skirt with each of the five tops = 5 outfits

                                                                  Subtotal  = 20 outfits

I added the black jacket to each of those 20 outfits and got another 20 outfits.

I added the jean jacket to each of those 20 outfits and got another 20 outfits.

I added the vest to the each of those 20 outfits and got another 20 outfits.

                                                                   Subtotal  =  60 outfits

Twenty plus Sixty equals a total of 80 outfits!

If you decide to create a core wardrobe, I suggest you make a list of your bottom pieces, top pieces, and layering pieces along with the colors of each.  That way, as you think things through, you can make changes as needed before you buy or sew any of the pieces.

If you are purchasing your pieces, you should use crayons to mark the colors beside each piece on your list.  You can take the list with you to shop to make sure any item you purchase will coordinate with the rest of your wardrobe.

If you are sewing your wardrobe, you can take the fabric samples with you when shopping for fabric for the next piece of your wardrobe.

A good rule to follow regarding adding pieces to a completed core wardrobe is to make sure you have at least three pieces that will coordinate with any new piece.  For example, if I want to add a red top to my core wardrobe, I have four pieces that will coordinate with the red top:  gray pants, black pants, black jacket, and black vest.   So, a red top would make a good addition to this wardrobe.

Below is a list of the patterns I used for each piece of my wardrobe.  I also included where I purchased the zipper for the faux leather vest.

Pink top – McCall’s 6964  &  Patternmaking for Fashion Design by Helen Joseph Armstrong to draft a different neckline

Grape Print Top - Kayla Shirt by In-House Pattern Studio

Black and White Print Blouse – Kayla Shirt by In-House Pattern Studio

Green Top - ABB Pattern from Copper Creek Patterns (formerly DIBY Club)

White Top – ABB Pattern from Copper Creek

Black Pants – Eureka! Pants that Fit & Sporty Details by Fit for Art

Gray Pants - Eureka! Pants that Fit & Sporty Details by Fit for Art

Jeans –Eureka! Pants that Fit and Sporty Details by Fit for Art

Jean Skirt – Tommie Jean Skirt by Style Arc

Black Jacket - Moss Jacket by Helen’s Closet

Jean Jacket – McCall’s M5191

Faux Leather Vest - Kwik Sew 3172

Zipper on vest – From Ghees.com (Linda McGehee

Have fun if you decide to create your own core wardrobe!  Make it personalized to you.  Include the items you enjoy wearing and use colors that make you feel good. 

Judy

 

 

 

 

 



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