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DIY dressmaking + crafts with Emily

Ideas for an Autumn/Winter 16/17 wardrobe!

Just before I get into this post, I’ve got 2 things to announce!

1. The winner of the fabric giveaway was Sewing For Cat People. Hope you enjoy your prize!

2. Apparently I won Best Blogger in the Simplicity Sewing Challenge this year! Crazy stuff! I just want to say thank you to all of you reading this blog for the support and encouragement you’ve given me. I wouldn’t have done it without you!

So onto the actual blog post today…

I can’t believe how quickly this year has gone so far!

With the sun and warmth gone away for another few months, now is the time to get my head around some cold weather sewing! (I’m a little behind everyone else because I decided to take my summer holiday in October…). 

Here’s my list of winter projects to complete and trends to follow

1- I need to finish the coat I started for my dad last year! I got a bit overwhelmed with the pattern and just pushed it to the side… It’s currently living in a bag under my sewing table. Just need to get the courage to get it out again!

2- I also got 3 coat patterns for myself earlier this year – the Grainline Studio Cascade Duffle, Sewaholic’s Robson trench and the Pauline Alice Quart Coat. My plans will definitely include making one of those! Now to decide what to start on first… Both the Pauline Alice and Sewaholic patterns would lend well to the current military outerwear vibes going on but I love a duffle coat too!


3- Velvet! I must make something out of velvet. A glamorous dress perhaps? Velvet was all over the A/W16 runways. 


4- I want to make a body con dress in a gorgeous wool plaid that I’ve had lying around. Kinda like this Alexander Wang one!

5- I need new cardigans! For some reason I’m never happy with ones I find in store. They’re all either too long, too short, too loose or too tight and they all look terrible! I’m thinking of getting the Jenna Cardi from Muse Patterns which looks like it’ll fit the bill! Either that one or Wembley from Seamwork maybe? 

What are you planning to make this winter?

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  1. Congratulations with the Simplicity best blog award. You’ve chosen some wonderful patterns to make coats. I’ve also a thing with cardigans. Can’t choose if I want to sew them (which fabric is the best) ot knit them (I’m such a terrible knitter).

    1. Thank you! I’ve given up trying to knit myself anything now. 🙁 I made myself a couple of jumpers a few years back and they were just awful – really expensive, time consuming and looked terrible on me. That’s being said I’ve not really made any proper jumpers or cardigans so I have no comparison!

    1. Thank you!

      I know the feeling. I did the same with coat I started for my dad! I really hope I finish it one day! Coats are hard and time consuming!

  2. Fun patterns there, and congrats on the award! My winter list includes a sweater or two, a pencil skirt, a sheath dress, and maybe a pair of pants. And Christmas pajamas for my college girls.

  3. Congratulations on the Simplicity award – your dress was fantastic. Dying to see what you decide to make in velvet because I’ve been eyeing velvet in the shops recently too. Keep us posted!

    1. Thank you! Will do! I’m definitely going to be trying a few things in velvet. A couple of dresses at least! I’m tempted by a jacket but I’ve actually got a vintage velvet blazer in my wardrobe that I already don’t wear so I know if not it’s worth the effort…

  4. Congratulations on your blog! So well-deserved! As far as cardigan’s go I think the Toaster Sweater #1 from Sew House Seven and the Oslo from Seamwork would be great options for you as well. (Also, they are on my list for someday!)

  5. Well done on winning the blogging award😃 Like you I holidayed in October so this cold weather is a shock to the system. Love the coat patters you have picked. I have some green velvet waiting to be made into a coat but can’t decide on style. Look forward to seeing your makes

    1. Thank you! 🙂

      I’ve got some green velvet too! Mines destined for some sort of dress though I think. Maybe. I really can’t decide what I want with it! I’ll look out for your velvet jacket in future!

  6. Congratulations on the award! I hope that your dad gets that coat as a Christmas present, this year? I am planning a waist length, open edged boiled wool cardigan next, love a cardigan but sewing so much quicker .

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