Getting Started

There are a few things I need to do before I can begin sewing my garments. I need to make my personalized croquis using the tutorial in the sewing handbook, I'd like to fill in any gaps in my tools, and create some inspiration boards to get me thinking about the kind of looks I want to create.

The first thing I've done is make my croquis. I took a photo of myself, traced my silhouette and lightened the lines on Photoshop. It turned out great! The photo I used was a pretty stiff, straight on shot, I think I might make another one using a slight pose or something to add life to the sketch. My fashion drawing skills are a little bit rusty so I think this sewing project and personalized croquis are going to help sharpen my skills. Here's what my first ever personalized croquis looks like, yes that is the Pastille dress from the front of the handbook.

Next I went through all my sewing tools to see if there was anything I am missing. I am pretty well stocked except for a few (very basic) things I am ashamed to not own already.eek. My pressing tools consist only of an iron and ironing board, so wanted to bulk that up a bit with some tailors hams and sleeve roll. Thankfully I found a great tutorial over on Chance Of Rain, the wonderful, Australian sewing blog. Her tutorial even included free downloadable patterns to print out at home. Anyone wishing to make their own can visit the tutorials here. Last night I ended up making the sleeve roll, small ham and kidney ham. I'm excited to use them.

I also made myself another set of pressing tools from a tutorial over at one of everyone's favorite sewing blogs Tilly and the Buttons. This ham and sausage are a little meatier, pun intended, they have darts to round them off a bit and I altered the free downloadable pattern a bit to make them bigger. If you'd like to check out this tutorial as well, head over to Tilly and the Buttons.

I made a shopping list for some of the other tools I'll be needing to get as well.

• Invisible zipper foot (I only have a regular zipper foot)
• Bias tape maker ( Not necessary, I just really want one) 
• Chalk wheel or chalk pen (I use marking pencils and they never seem to work)
• Small snippers

I am heading to the fabric stores on Wednesday to gather up supplies, I'll do a haul post we I return to show you what I got.

I think as far as tools go, with my new pressing tools and my small shopping list, I think I'm well stocked to start my project.

Lastly, it's all about gathering inspiration and thinking about how I am going to turn these Colette patterns into something that is totally me. I had a hard time trying to articulate exactly what it is that I love to wear, so I spend the morning trawling the internet for things I like hoping I would find a pattern.

I put together a couple of inspiration boards from the things that I found, and upon looking at them I realized that it's pretty easy to explain. I like dresses with full skirts that highlight the waist, and printed cardigans. It took me all morning to find this out.  

Another thing that I notice upon looking at this board of dresses is that while the silhouettes are relatively the same, all the necklines are different. I also obviously like solid colored dresses or dresses with micro-patterns.

I really love cardigans, I swear by them. They are the perfect addition to any cute outfit. I am not an accessory person. I don't wear jewelry or own lots of shoes or purses, but cardigans are my way of adding color or pattern to myself. I could mix and match those nine cardigans with those dresses forever.

So now that I have to tools and the inspiration, I can go ahead and start making a plan of attack, which is the next thing on my To Do List. In the next couple of days, I hope to have a weekly break down of the Colette projects. I will use this break down as a guide and motivator for myself, as well as a tool for you to follow along with or plan your projects as well so check back soon!

Full Steam Ahead!!