Ready...Set...Go!

All of the fabrics for my mini-wardrobe/SWAP finally arrived and I have laid out my plan of action. I couldn't decided on what I wanted to sew first but after reading such favorable reviews Simplicity 2700 I am going to start there.
I am going to make the pants first since I can easily pair them with a white dress shirt that I already have. The vest shouldn't be too difficult either so hopefully I can finish them together and wear that outfit. The jacket will come later. It hasn't really started to cool off here so I am not in a big rush to make any jackets....although I have already cut and pinned V8480

Pic of fabric and china silk lining for the vest...


I bought this silk charmeuse polka dot fabric on impulse and had no idea what I was going to do with it. I then saw New Look 6831 and thought view D would be cute and nothing like Minnie Mouse (which is what this fabric reminds me of :-).




When I get around to making jackets I wanted to make simplicity 2810 in the grey pinstripe and another is this navy twill. I am thinking of making the navy with the shawl collar and the pinstripe in the pointed collar but we will see when I get to it.

I can't for anything get this picture to posted properly but is showing a picture of what I plan to line the navy jacket with. It's a light blue 'liquid satin' that I had leftover from some long ago project. The picture shows the right and wrong side as I am still debating on which I will make which.


Here is a picture of the sweater knit that I picked up from Fabric Depot while on vacation last month. I still haven't found a pattern that I like but I am thinking of using Vogue 8379 as a start. I saw a couple of reviews where people made it a top instead of a dress so I know it is do-able.
Here is the top that set this mission in motion...



















I finally finished Vogue 8574 to wear to my Soror's wedding today. I will post pics and a review after I recover from what I am sure will be a wild reception.

Bottom Line Calculation

I have received a few emails and comments on the recent 'Bottom Line' addition to the end of my posts. I decided to start doing that because I see on a lot of other blogs and message boards different discussions about whether or not sewing is less expensive than buying off the rack. In some cases it is but not always. Speaking for myself I sew because I enjoy making my own clothes. I have the patience and the ability to learn the craft and the journey is one that I am enjoying immensely.
I recall when I first started out, I knew to only buy patterns on sale and to look for coupons and sales on fabric, notions, etc. I developed a size-able stash of fabrics that I purchased just because they were on sale and had no idea what to use them for. I don't really want to think about how much money that I spent doing that.
As I have continue to get better at sewing and other crafts, I am making an effort to keep track of how much I spend on fabrics, yarn, etc. Not to justify the cost or weigh the pros and cons of sewing but just to give my readers an idea of what it cost me to make certain things. Sewing can be rewarding and gratifying but for some on a limited budget I think it is important to know that it can cost you as little or as much as you want it to.
You may also have seen my sewing plans from a few posts back. I am very much a visual learner and I found this to be very helpful as I laid out my sewing plans for the next few weeks. This has also been good as it is making me think twice before buying some fabric that catches my eye. I have been doing well with sewing from my stash but I don't want it to get as bad as it was at one point.
So to sum up a long post, my decision to add the 'Bottom Line' to my posts started out being just for me but I am glad that others are enjoying it as well.