Holiday Sewing Plans

Time is just flying by and it’s already time for me to start sewing up a storm for the holidays.  I have a lot of sewing lined up for the next month, we’ll see how much actually gets done before Christmas.

First up are two version’s of Tilly and the Buttons Francoise dress.  I wasn’t planning on trying out this pattern until I saw Handmade Jane’s version and fell in love. I’m always on the lookout for patterns with interesting seam lines and darts.  This dress has both, raglan sleeves and bust, waist and back darts.  It’s beautiful shaped with a simple silhouette.  My plan is to make two very different versions.

The first will be a scuba knit dress in the print below from Marcy Tilton.  It’s a fabulous botanical scuba knit that I had to have it as soon as I saw it.  I may still buy the other colorway in grey too.  I’m making this in a size 3, which will be my measurements without ease.  I love that Tilly’s size chart gives the finished measurements which should make it easy to alter to a knit.  I made up my muslin in cotton in a size 4 and the fit is perfect.  I’m making this version with sleeves and plan on adding about 2″ to the length based on my muslin.

My second version will be the sleeveless dress in this fabulous tweed that I bought online from Mood last week when it was 50% off.  I love the colors in this tweed, so pretty.  Can’t wait to see it in person.  I also purchased silk habotai at the same time for my lining.  For this dress I’m planning on quilting my two fabrics together and using more classic couture techniques to make it in the style of Chanel.  Back in the day I had the most fabulous vintage Anna Sui boucle dress that I bought while I lived in Manhattan.  I’m hoping to make something similar to that, but in a more Florida friendly color.  I’m hoping to have at least one dress done in time to enter in the Francoise sewing contest– have you seen the prizes?  The sewing machine looks amazing.  Definitely go check it out.

Here’s my Pinterest inspiration board for Francoise:

I also am planning out the handmade gifts I’ll be sewing.  Trying to keep this to a minimum this year so I’m not sewing up to the last minute.  Last year I went a bit overboard sewing for the kids and don’t want to do that again.

For my sister Megan and one of my best friends Karen I’m planning on making them each a Bronte top from Jennifer Lauren Vintage.  You can see my first Bronte top here.  Both girls are very close to my own size so easy sewing.  My sister is taller than me and very long-waisted so I’ll be adding about 3″ in length to hers and grading up the bust for Karen’s top, but that’s all I need to do.  I’m making the short sleeve version for Karen in a Charcoal Grey Scuba knit(sold out) from Marcy Tilton that I got as an end cut for a great deal.  For Meg I’ll be making either the long sleeve or maybe altering to 3/4 sleeve in a Cabernet Heather Knit, also from Marcy Tilton which I think will be great with her coloring.

And for my little girl Amelie I’ll be sewing up a Sofia the First Dress out of two organic interlock knits from Organic Cotton’s Plus in orchid and white.  For this make I’m planning on drafting my own pattern and using Alabama Chanin’s reverse applique techniques for the skirt.  I want the dress to be inspired by Disney but comfortable and practical for regular wear.

You can see my inspiration ideas on my Christmas gift’s board on Pinterest here:

So excited to get started sewing these all up!  Not sure though how much sewing time I’ll have with the kids on break for most of this week for Thanksgiving and almost 3 weeks at Christmas!  Thanksgiving this year is going to be awesome though.   We’re celebrating twice, lunch with Vic’s family and dinner with mine.

Are you sewing for the holidays too?  I’d love to hear everyone’s sewing plans.  Happy Sewing and Happy Thanksgiving!