Beach bound (well not quite yet)

So, the groundhog did not see his shadow earlier this month which is supposed to mean an early spring. The weather, on the other hand, has not been very spring like so far.


However, since I am lacking in the spring and summer clothes, I thought that I had better get on the ball and get some warm weather outfits made so that I will have some good things to wear later this year. I started out by making a list of things that I think I will need for the year, but got quickly overwhelmed. I am having a hard time staying on a project to completion without getting burnt out, so I needed a smaller list to work with.

That lead me to thinking, what are the most important things that I will need. Well, since I work a fulltime job that requires a company logo shirt. I still have several skirts that are not really heavy that could be used in all seasons. That covers my work-wear. So that leaves weekends and vacation. I have a couple of tops that would be sufficient for weekends for now, so I decided to focus on vacation.

We are doing a week long family vacation at the beach and this year it is particularly early (first week of June). I am not sure how much I can get done by then, but I wanted to make a plan of what I would want to pack.

So here is my proposed packing list (clothing only and undergarments are assumed):

1 one-piece swimsuit

1 two piece swimsuit [I have something that will suffice if I don’t get to this]

2 one piece playsuits

1 Two-piece playsuit

3 tops (halter neck, sleeveless, short sleeve)

2-3 shorts/pants (Bermuda, short, pedal pushers) – that will match swimsuits, tops & playsuits

2 skirts – that will match swimsuits, tops & playsuits

2 sundresses

1 Hawaiian print sarong dress (nice enough in case I get to go out one evening with Hubby)

1 sweater for breezy morning strolls on beach [I already have]

Vintage Beach packing list by btotten on Polyvore

I don’t think that the whole list is really feasible for me, but I thought that I would get started on it anyway and accomplish as much as I can.

I have created a board on Pinterest for my inspiration and the patterns that I come up with. I am planning on doing a post for each item as I get around to thinking about them and making them.

But, I wanted to start with the bathing suit. I have decided on this inspiration photo. It isn’t vintage, but it does have a nice vintage feel to it and I think that is best right now for me at the beach because my hubby is still warming up to the idea of me wearing vintage stuff at the beach.

 

The place where I pinned it, doesn’t exist any longer, so I do not know if it is still available to purchase or not, but I don’t know that I don’t have the money to purchase it (I am going to be buying fabric with gift cards I got for Christmas).

So when looking for a pattern that I have that would be the closest match for it, I thought of this pattern which is a free pattern off of Burda for the top ( adding halter straps and a cute bow like in the second picture)

and either Burda's cheeky panties or the rosy lady shorts extended for the bottoms.

 

NOTE: All free patterns can be found on my free pattern board on Pinterest

 Since the afternoon tea top is a shirt pattern and I do need shirts as well, I thought that I might knock out two birds with this one stone (who is trying to kill birds, why are they using stones, and are there not enough that it matters you only use one?)

So, I am going to start with muslin in cotton the only changes that I am going to make are: cutting the darts (adding seam allowance) and add the halter straps.

From there I am going to check fit and whatnot, I will probably go ahead and make up a shirt, since I will have most of the kinks worked out of that pattern (hopefully). From there I will work on adding the front center seam in muslin (just not cutting the front pattern piece on the fold (but adding seam allowance). From there I will stop working on that and work on a pair of just the bottoms. Then after figuring out the fit on those, I will add length to the legs.

Lastly is the part of trying to figure out a pattern for all the pieces together and trying that out.

I see this as being a long journey ahead, but I am pretty excited to try it out and get back in the sewing saddle again. Wish me luck…

BTW- how far ahead of time do you start planning your sewing projects?