Fall/Winter Sewing Plans + When Your Sewing Brain is Broken

It’s official: aside from my regular EPP and a couple of mending projects, I haven’t sewn anything all month. I know, it’s hard for me to hear too.

It all started with this stupid dress I wanted to make. I had spent months thinking about this dress and planning it out. It was intended to be a Very Important Make because I was going to use some precious fabric. However, once I got my muslin sewn, I just could not decide if the fabric I had in mind would be a good choice. I went back and forth for a few days before finally deciding that if I was having this hard of a time just going for it, it probably wasn’t a good choice. I still want to make the dress and use the fabric but just not together.

Fine. That’s all stuff I can live with. But then, it happened again! I decided on a different pattern with a different fabric but then spent a crazy amount of time waffling on whether the fabric was a good choice for the pattern. By this point, I was getting exhausted spending so much energy just on thinking about sewing so I pushed that project to the side and decided to just give myself and sewing some space.

It was especially frustrating because I still felt a desire to sew and I still had ideas and excitement for sewing, but my brain was just not cooperating at this point so I threw in the towel. Honestly, I’m still a little grumpy about the whole thing. I love and look forward to my sewing time and the last few weeks, rather than sew, I’ve been reorganizing which is not nearly as rewarding or fun (even if it is probably more necessary). But I am glad I stepped away and also I think my brain was right to second guess.

Of course, I worried I was just getting way too inside of my head on this but I think I’m also understanding better the things I will actually wear versus the things I’ll have a super fun time sewing, but not actually a fun time wearing. I think both projects I was considering would’ve turned into things that were awesome and great to sew but maybe not as enjoyable for me to wear, and I’m glad I listened to my gut on that.

Giving myself some space gave me the opportunity to rethink my sewing plans for the next few months. I rarely give myself solid sewing plans. I typically just let the waves take me but I think my brain and my wardrobe both need a little structure right now. It’s a lot of basics, but should at least make for a good foundation.

Not exactly a make nine, but not exactly not a make nine(?). I’ll get to what I get to, and won’t worry about the rest. Starting at the top and going left to right:

Saraste Dress from Breaking the Pattern (Named): I love this dress and everything about it. I have the pattern traced but I need to do a muslin and I need to find a good fabric.

Ruska Dress also from Breaking the Pattern: there’s a lot about this dress that make me nervous-the tighter fit and the turtleneck collar but I want to give it a try. I love how seasonal it is.

Granville shirt from Sewaholic: or really any good button up shirt. I’ve tried the Cheyenne pattern from Hey June but I’d like to try something else. And I know it’s boring and plain but I really just want it in classic white.

McCall’s 7874: I traced this pattern two years ago and never made it but I still think it’s cute so I think I should give it a go. It seems very wearable for my me and my life.

Simplicity 8875: the reviews are a bit mixed on this one and I have no idea if it’d work with my body but I think it’s super cute and would love to give it a try. I think finding the right fabric might be tricky but worth a shot. I can always start with a muslin!

Simplicity 8946: this one is classic and cute and seems very appropriate for layering!

McCall’s 8032: I might do some light hacking to this, and it will definitely need a toile, but it might might be the right match for the precious fabric that got me into this mess in the first place!

Simplicity 8841: again, this or any wide leg, elastic waist pants pattern. I’ve also been looking at the Named Rae pants or the Free Range Slacks from Sew House Seven. I’m not entirely sure I’ll like wide leg pants, or even know how to style them, but I’m down to try.

Marlo Sweater: or a different cardigan. Just A Cardigan that is nice and cozy and not pink, ha!

This is a good place to start for me! Did you make any fall sewing plans?