SWAP 2007 - Part One

Yes, I got sucked into SWAP! Actually, the concept is very clever: a wardrobe of coordinating garments, top and bottoms and a jacket that will provide the wearer with a multitude of exciting outfits with all the possible combinations. Timmel Fabrics sponsors an annual contest, and I'm game.

So, do I need another wardrobe? Um, actually, sure, I'd love more clothes. *But*. My daughter really needs a new summer wardrobe and this is perfect for her. She's 8, and like some children, has no sense of what goes together and what doesn't. I do try to make or buy only items that will coordinate with what she already has, but she'll still find ways to mismatch things. The other day she came out to breakfast in chocolate brown corduroy pants, an orchid purple t-shirt, a pale yellow zip up hoodie and pink socks with cats on them. UGH!!!!!! Some parts of the outfit worked and others were having hissy fits with each other. I told her she couldn't wear that. Anywhere. Even in the house. "But I don't have anything that matches!" About 2 minutes later, I found a white turtleneck and socks. Much better. Not perfect, but much better.

We started back in December by having her pick out the patterns she likes from the pattern websites. If she absolutely doesn't love it, I'm not making it. I (and her grandmother) have made many lovely things that never got worn because she didn't like one little detail or another. We printed them all out in black and white and then picked the ones she really, really liked.

(Remember that pink turtleneck?)

I printed them in black and white because like some people, she can't visualize what a garment will look like in colors other than the samples on the pattern envelope. She then could concentrate on the *style* not the colors. We weeded through what would work and what wouldn't for a casual summer wardrobe - one she could play in, but add a jacket to an outfit and she'd be ready to go out to eat dinner, etc.

I'll post pictures of the patterns when I actually complete each garment - it will easier than posting them all right now and take up less space. Suffice it to say, we've got some t-shirts, tank tops, a shrug, a tunic, and a blouse in the tops department. In the bottoms we've got skorts (she *had* to have those!), a pair of pants and a pair of reversible capri's. Add to that a cute little jacket, and I think we're set.

We're still working on fabric choices, but I think I'll turn this into a series and next up will be the color choices. Plus, we've discussed a surprise twist to the whole SWAP, but we won't tell until you see the pictures of the completed wardrobe!