I wasn’t going to participate in SWAP (Sewing with a Plan) this season. Between too much going on, sewing mojo on vacation, and inspiration pictures pulling me in too many different directions at once, I didn’t feel like planning a wardrobe to fit arbitrary rules that may not fit my lifestyle.
And then the rules came out. They are delightfully simple and they sent my sewing imagination soaring. This is the gist:
You’re making a collection of 11 garments to be worn as outfits of at least two pieces that work for your personal style.
- Choose two neutral colors (at least 3 garments each)
- Add one accent color and two prints OR two accent colors and one print (at least 1 garment each)
- Remaining two garments may be made from any one or combination of your neutrals, accent(s) and/or print(s)
- Each garment must work with a minimum of two outfits
Here is my preliminary plan:
It’s not quite finished – it’s missing a piece. Something in light gray. I’m not sure if this will be a dress or another top. We’ll see.
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Here’s something that caught my eye now as I was looking at the rules: “Multiple styles of pants, tops, jacket/cardigan, dresses, accessories, etc are made from the limited color/print palette. New seasons bring new items that work with some of the garments from prior seasons. Your goal is to create a collection that looks like it belongs together and that you can easily add new pieces to in the future.”
When I sewed a SWAP wardrobe in early 2016, I used just three patterns and a bunch of different fabrics. I think the idea here is the opposite – choose just a few fabrics and go to town on patterns. Hmm, something to chew on. I may rethink the whole thing yet.
And that’s all I have today. See you soon!
(Originally published on my old blog, Studio Alexandra.)
