Monday, August 22, 2016

Capsule collections

I first heard about the idea of a capsule collection from my favorite pattern designer, George and Ginger Pattern Co.  Intriguing, right? Get a whole crap ton of outfits from just a few basic patterns. No need to worry about, "Does this top go with these pants?" The entire collection is designed to be worn in any combination and still look great.
So before biting the bullet on a capsule collection for myself (using significantly more fabric), I was delighted to see a testing call for a collection from Grammies Dolls. The idea is the same, take 2 shirt patterns, 2 bottoms patterns, and a jacket pattern and make an entire wardrobe. Done in the right combination, you could easily make 27 different outfits when you add in accessories.
So here's our version of Miss Daisy's Wardrobe.
Sweet Sophye shirt (altered)
paired with grey corduroy
Bella's School Days Skirt
Sweet Sophye shirt (altered)
paired with Bella's School Days Skirt
and topped with the Summer Breeze Jacket

Sweet Sophye shirt (altered)
paired with Bella's School Days Skirt
and topped with the Summer Breeze Jacket
(She was over the photo session already!)
Sweet Sophye shirt (altered)
paired with denim
Bella's School Days Skirt



I loved the chevron fabric! It did not lend itself well to the buttons that the Sweet Sophye shirt called for. So I did a little pattern altering. The pattern is so cute as written, but little miss Parker is quite independent and didn't want to have help getting dressed, so buttons were out. I instead cut 2 back panels and then eliminated the placket from the pattern. Instead of a neckband, I made a casing for a 1/4" strip of elastic to give a more traditional peasant top look. I then serged and turned under a hem on the sleeves instead of adding more elastic. Parker loves that she has a shirt she can "step in" because the child will NOT pull a shirt over her head. 
Outfit count: 4

Sweet Sophye shirt 
paired with Bella's School Days Skirt
Sweet Sophye shirt 
paired with Bella's School Days Skirt
So you can see, same two skirts from above, this time with a straight from the pattern Sweet Sophye shirt. I loved this Michael Miller watch fabric! Scored it for $1/yard from a sale I went to last year!!
Outfit count: 6


Sleeveless Bella's School Days Shirt
paired with the corduroy
Bella's School Days skirt

Sleeveless Bella's School Days Shirt
paired with the denim
Bella's School Days skirt



















Sleeveless Bella's School Days Shirt
paired with the denim
Bella's School Days skirt and
topped with the Summer Breeze Jacket
Sleeveless Bella's School Days Shirt
paired with the corduroy 
Bella's School Days skirt and
topped with the Summer Breeze Jacket


Outfit Count: 10

For this last one, I had a sizing mishap and cut out a too small Bella's School Days Shirt. Ugh! I hate when I do that. But, not wanting to waste the fabric and the time I put into sewing it, plan B. Turn it into a jacket. So, instead of putting in a placket on the skirt, I simply cut it down the middle and followed the instructions for attaching it to the bodice. How stinking cute is that as a jacket? And by this time in picture taking marathon, Parker was done!

Sleeveless Bella's School Days Shirt
paired with the corduroy
Bella's School Days skirt and topped
with the Bella's School Days shirt turned
jacket!



























Outfit count: 11

I did not sew up the Carla's Pantaloons. Parker is not a pants girl. She loves some leggings and a skirt and that's about it. I could probably have bribed her with some gummy bears to wear them, but then they would have been worn for the pictures and that's about it. Totally opposite of the concept of the capsule collection. 
But, add in one pair of the Carla's Pantaloons...
Outfit count: 17

Then, let's say you play with accesories...add in a pair of leggings. They can be worn with all the shirts by themselves...
Outfit count: 20

Add leggings with the shirt and then add one of the Jackets:
Outfit count: 24

Add a simple tank top to the mix. Pair that with each skirt, and each jacket separately: 

Outfit count: 30

Ya'll! That's an entire month's worth of different outfits from just a few basic pieces that all coordinate. I'm all for making life simpler! The older kids have school uniforms and it is amazing! So simple! Making the little girl's wardrobes just as simple, but still cute...SIGN ME UP!

Out takes are always the best...
enjoy!
 

Lydia photo bomb




Just when you're ready to throw in the towel,
she turns and gives you one of these...