SWAP 2008 - Introduction

I've Finally Committed Myself

Not to a mental institution, to making a SWAP. The deal is that my wardrobe needs will be changing over the next 6 months. I will not need as many professional work clothes as I currently do as I will not be teaching school next year. Thus, I need a wardrobe that has pieces that not only work together, but also integrate into what my wardrobe will be once I re-evaluate it at the end of the school year. This wardrobe also needs to be able to transition from spring into summer and fall.

My SWAP is entitled "June Cleaver Gets a Little Update". While I love June Cleaver's distinctive 50's TV mom wardrobe, it needs a little tweaking to work in the new millenium. Don't worry, I am keeping a few of the classic 50's styles, but replacing others with new styles and fabrics.

Here's the storyboard:
The garments are:

Bottoms:

• Jeans - essential for a casual wardrobe and can be on the dressy side depending on the fabric (dark wash) and accessories. Vogue 7608.
  
• Black pants - everyone needs at least one good pair of black dressier pants. I'm planning on making them jeans style, but in a stretch wool. Vogue 7608.
• Black shorts - versatile and can be worn both in the summer and with tights in the fall; again in a stretch wool. These will be lengthened to knee length. Vintage Simplicity 1170.
• White circle skirt - simple style that works well with everything and comfortable enough for everyday wear made in poplin. Vintage Simplicity 1170.

Tops:

• White blouse - a slightly different take on the "great white shirt". The fabric is the cotton from Timmel Fabrics with the square holes and is the required purchase from Timmel. It is a little different, and the style can be dressed up or down easily. Vintage Simplicity 1170.
  
• Black t-shirt - simple, but a wardrobe staple, with a newer neckline. Simplicity 4076 View D.
  
• White sweater - this is an update to June's little cardigan sweaters. The cross over style and open weave make it a bit more modern, plus it can be worn alone or with other tops and dresses. BWOF 4/07, #107B
  
• Red/white knit top - definitely an updated fabric and style that is casual, yet well put together and easy to move in. I'm not sure of the fabric for this top yet - I will be shopping for fabric in Manchester later this week, and if I don't find anything, I have my eye on a few things online. BWOF 1/08, #116.
  

Dresses:

• Paisley wrap dress - no updated wardrobe would be complete without a knit dress. The style and fabric make dressing easy - just add shoes and jewelry. Butterick 4788 View A.
  
• Red linen shirt dress - I couldn't get rid of the classic shirt dress! It is one of my favorite casual vintage styles and made in short sleeves with the full skirt, it will transition through all the seasons nicely. Vintage Simplicity 2149 Views 1 & 2.
  

Coat/Jacket:

• Red trench - of course! Trench style with an update of color and embellishment. This will also count as my "previously made item" made before the official start date of the 2008 SWAP.
  

Here's the wardrobe pattern, as this year's SWAP twist is that a wardrobe pattern must be used, with 3 distinct garments made from the pattern. I will be making the 3/4 sleeve blouse, the skirt and the shorts. It is vintage Simplicity 1170, but still works well today:

For some of the fabrics, I shopped my collection. I actually had a lot of fabrics that I could have used for the SWAP, but I will make those at a later date and add them to my wardrobe. I had about half of the fabrics needed: the red linen, the paisley print, the black t-shirt knit, and the stretch wool suiting.

This week, I'm starting off easy, and making the black t-shirt. It couldn't be much easier, but I'm hoping to finish the white velvet jacket this week, and the black t-shirt will be a nice easy project to get into SWAP sewing. Mondays will be SWAP day this year on the blog, so look for updates every Monday on the project. Due to technical difficulties, this is actually yesterday's post.

I do have a request regarding the jeans. I've got Vogue 7608, but am curious as to what your favorite jeans patterns are. I won't make the jeans until March, so I've got time. I realize I'll need to make alterations, but if you know of anything that will work with my body shape (small waist, slight sway back and forward muscular thighs) let me know!

Parting Shot: Learning To Knit. My daughter wanted to learn how to knit, so I found some spare yarn in a knitting worsted weight to teach her how. (Yes, I can knit and crochet, too.) She's working on practicing the knit stitch at the moment. When she gets good with that, I'll teach her how to purl.