What I’m Making for Spring

I love the sweet spot of being just a few weeks out of a brand new season, feeling the small changes in weather and rhtyhm happening, but still having some margin to think a bit ahead about what my intentions are. For the past few seasons, I’ve been planning makes ahead of time in an effort to continue to slow down an already deliciously slow practice.

Hand making garments could be one of the slowest forms of slow fashion. Slow fashion is the combination of ethical, sustainable production with mindful, responsible consumption. When I make a garment, I have power over both of these elements, and I understand my impact more intimately.

Sewing may be foundational to my commitment to slow fashion, but I am not a slow sewist. I choose my projects carefully, and am very intentional about what patterns and fabrics I buy. Part of that calculus for me is how detailed the project will be. I want to make pieces I can complete quickly in one or two sittings, or projects I can fit into the in-between times, the margins that I claim for myself. I may not be a slow sewist, but I am definitely a simple sewist.

Planning well with my preferences and needs in mind keeps me focused and disciplined. There isn’t much I need for spring and summer this year, and my project list reflects that abundance. After 18 months of sewing many of my own garments, I have a much better idea of which items have me feeling my best. I’m leaning into what is working. This spring, I’m planning two sewing projects and a really, really big knitting project. Nope, not a project, an undertaking, bigger than anything I’ve knit before.

Marigold Trousers in Camel Linen

My first project is a second pair of Tilly and the Buttons Marigold Trousers, with a few hacks to slim the hips and widen the waistband. I made a pair of these in a dusty olive canvas two autumns ago, and they are one of my very favorite pants-I wear them all the time, with everything I own. It’s a great, easy to follow pattern for an adventurous beginner. My initial plan was to make these in black linen, but I’ve realized that black isn’t actually my favorite color to wear. It always looks classy and put together, but it can also feel harsh on someone of my coloring. If anything, I’d choose a washed black, which linen can provide, but my intention for future projects and purchases is to use black as an accent rather than a base. I’m choosing a nutmeg or camel color instead. I have ambitions to use only second hand fabric this year, but with a very short sewing list, I’m willing to compromise somewhat and spring for the same beautiful linen I used for an a-line skirt I made last year. It is a warm, textural neutral color called Nutmeg. It’s gorgeous, and I can buy it locally form a little mom and pop fabric shop close to me.

Cline Sweater in Ivory Tweed or Camel Alpaca

This is a big one. I’ve crocheted literally dozens of sweaters, but I’ve never completed a knit sweater before. I’ve seen so many really beautiful versions of the Cline-look up #clinesweater on Instagram to see what I mean. It is an ideal shape for me-cozy and generous, but cropped enough to avoid being overwhelming. It will be a process; I am a quick and simple sewist, but I am most assuredly a very, very slow knitter. My hope is that if I start soon, I’ll have it done for autumn. I haven’t decided yet which of two different Knit Picks yarns I’ll use. I’ve used Simply Alpaca before, and it is beautiful, easy to work with, and unearthly soft. That tweed, though…I’ll keep you posted.

Demeter Dress in Natural Linen

I’ve been anticipating making this dress since long before Anna released it. I remember when she first posted a picture from a shoot she did featuring a sample of this dress, long before it was a pattern. The deep scoop neckline and open waist shaping spoke to me. It’s my kinda dress. I love Anna’s patterns-her well loved Persephone Pants were the first really significant sewing pattern I tackled. I am looking forward to every step of this make. While I can imagine this dress in a variety of fabrics, I can’t resist having one in a pure, wholesome natural linen. Robert Kaufman also offers a striped linen that is really beautiful, and very tempting.

These projects are on my for sure list to enjoy making over the next months, but I’m also thinking about a sleeveless Yari Jumpsuit or an idea for a really funky granny square sweater I’ve been imagining for a while. I may also attempt a dye job on my natural canvas Free Range Slacks to deepen the color a bit.

I love preparing for a new season by planning makes. It truly helps to keep impulses in check, and I’ve always fond boundaries absolutely necessary to creativity.

Are you planning any makes for the spring or summer, or any intentional wardrobe additions?