So Excited! I've found favorite silhouettes and ordered patterns! Or dressing for my life and body now.

This might be a long post. I'll understand if you'd like to skip it but I am very excited. I've joined Club BMV and have ordered a few patterns from Vogue and McCall's. I've often wished I was a member when I've received the email's describing savings on patterns. Well, wish no longer because I'll be able to take advantage of those sales!

It seems my preferences have changed in the last few months. I now prefer elastic waists. I use to absolutely live in jeans but now I want soft knits against my skin. I want a waistband that will shrink when I do or expand a little bit over the holidays. I like ankle length skirts, pants that are neither too wide or too skinny. I like waterfall sweaters along with other cardigans and a vest would be good with T-shirts.

I've also come to realize that I can't wear heels any more. I'm talking even the low heels. I'm going to look for flats that are stylish but comfortable. Good luck with that, huh?

My life style is casual and the clothes I prefer are almost pajama style! I change into jeans when I go out but as soon as I'm home, I put my very comfortable knit lounge pants back on and let out a contented, "ahhhhh" in the process!

So, I need to dress for the lifestyle and body I have now. I want to be comfortable but put together and stylish, ya know?

I thought I would embellish the simple shapes in a few pieces anyway starting with a tank top. A la Alabama Chanin. That'll be a good project for these long winter days, don't you think? I might try embroidery on other pieces. I'll make them mine in some way. Stay tuned for those thoughts!

The Patterns

I bought these three vintage patterns off eBay:

These patterns represent how I prefer to dress when I can find the silhouettes. I'll now have them and they are timeless enough to last for a long time.

I also bought a few from Vogue and McCalls that I've always wanted:

I  plan to sew these to wear for my Grandkid's games. 

I bought this in two sizes because I love the dress. Maybe a granddaughter will want one.

Another view of the game top and jacket.

another view in case you missed it. 

I love the sleeves on this dress. Nice to wear to church.

and my vest that I will wear as a third piece.

When you add Simplicity 1945, I have the silhouettes I prefer.

There is still one more look that I want.

I now have the skirt pattern. I want a top that is very loose for fat days! :)

Thanks. Now I can use this post to do a little planning. Have a great day!

Still Looking for Jacket or Overlayer Pattern

As I stated before, I need one more overlayer pattern. It's not easy to coordinate different patterns to work together when you consider length, proportion and style. I've had difficulty finding wardrobe patterns because I might like one piece but not the others. I've also found far fewer wardrobe patterns than in past years - what's up with that? :)

I'm considering K3841 from Kwik Sew:

K3841 from Kwik Sew

It appears it would be versatile and I like the idea that one jacket pattern could give so many different looks. I admire those who can take one pattern and change the look of it so it's not cookie cutter but I'm not there yet. I could make this in a sweater knit, fleece, wool or linen and each would give different looks, especially when combined with different neckline treatments.

Another factor to consider is that I'm planning on being more health conscious which includes losing weight. The recent patterns I've bought from Style Arc will be a problem because they aren't multi-sized. I want to purchase patterns that will see me through different sizes - I've gone up and down the scales my entire life, what would make me think my older years would be any different?

I'm sewing a SWAP and planning on minimizing my wardrobe. I need clothes for church as well as around the house and more dressy, shopping, appointment, outside the house clothes. My "around the house" clothes also includes the need for more versatile "sick-in-and-out-of-bed" clothes. At times I have difficulty walking because of a lack of strength and spend a good amount of time lying down. I don't want to look rumpled during those times.

I'm going to concentrate on black pencil skirts with tights and flats as my dressier, go to church pieces, easy-to-care for fabric for my Linda pants from Style Arc then various knit tops to layer with. The Abby cardi will be one of my overlayers then this jacket would be another overlayer.

What do you think of my plan? I'll be buying fabric at the beginning of the month and could use suggestions. Buying fabric on the net is difficult I've found and my stash is growing because fabric I've bought isn't suitable after all for what I've planned.