Autumn Mix and Match Capsule Wardrobe Inspiration

I hope you have all been getting a chance to enjoy some sewing time so far this Autumn, but if you are looking for new ideas to stitch up this season, I've picked 5 lovely patterns from the huge range we have in the shop and paired them with a gorgeous selection of fabrics. 

I hope it helps you learn a bit more about what type of fabrics work well with different patterns too and if you'd like to see how they move and look close up, check out my latest Youtube video where I chat through my choices. 

Cosy woollen Carnaby dress

We get asked a lot at this time of year for fabric that are a bit warmer to wear and anything with wool in it will for sure fit that bill! I've matched this really lovely light/medium weight multi coloured speckle wool mix with the Nina Lee Carnaby dress. It's a simple shift dress with a few special features like the back exposed zip and the hidden in-seam pockets on the front. 

The pattern recommends medium-weight woven fabrics such as lightweight denim, corduroy, lightweight wool, cotton sateen. All of these choices have a bit of structure and stability to them as this will help to hold the shape of the dress much better. 

Swishy Ebony t-shirt top, tunic or dress

Jersey fabric is so comfy to wear and once you know a few tricks and tips it's actually really quick and easy - not as scary as you would think at all! The Ebony is one of my favourite stretch patterns. It comes with a few style options in terms of length - cropped, tunic or dress length, as well as either raglan or set in sleeves. 

The style of the garment is really a-line and full towards the hem and more fitted over the shoulders, arms and bust. This makes is best suited to jerseys that have a lot of drape and movement in them - that's ones that contain viscose or modal. That's why I've paired it with this pretty viscose jersey print, it's light weight and swishy and would look gorgeous made up in an Ebony. 

If you are new to sewing jersey we have a little jersey needle pack special offer that contains jersey ball point needles for your machine, a ball point twin needle (to use on a regular sewing machine) for hems and a little tips sheet from me. 

Classic Ginger jeans 

Sewing a pair of jeans is loads of fun and a project you can really get into! There are so many additional online resources, sewalongs, videos and fitting guides that can help and support you too, so it's never been a better time to give it a go. 

The Closet Case Patterns Ginger pattern is a classic more fitted stretch jean with the choice between a hight or mid rise and fitted or straight leg fit. They are super comfy to wear (I think I've made about 4 or 5 pairs now over the past several years) and if you are anything like me you'll get so much wear out of them so it is a really rewarding make in that sense too! You need denim with a bit of stretch in them as that is what the pattern has been designed for, so I've paired them with our Robert Kaufman Laredo stretch denim in a deep dark indigo colourway.

We also a a few notions kits available, which contain all the hardware along with the pattern that you need. 

Breezy Indigo smock top 

The Tilly and the Buttons Indigo smock top is a cute, comfy and effortlessly stylish. It's simple to make with no fiddly fastenings and you can choose between classic gathered seams or elevate it to a stand-out piece in your wardrobe with the pretty exposed frill seam.

Indigo has a bodice shaped with bust darts, gently curved empire waistline, and floaty gathered skirt. Make it as a top with dipped hem ending at the low hip, or a knee-length dress with straight hem and pockets (yay!). Choose from three-quarter flounce sleeves or slim-fitting bracelet sleeves. 

It looks best in light weight fabrics that have drape and movement to allow the fullness of the gathers to hang nicely, that's why I've paired it with the gorgeous Atelier Brunette Dune maple viscose crepe fabric. It will float and swish perfectly! 

Super comfy leggings

I love layering up at this time of year and a pair of leggings is the ideal way to keep cosy and make use of tunics and dresses that are perhaps a bit lighter in weight. The Megan Nielsen Virginia leggings are a classic pair of leggings where each leg is just one piece of fabric so they are super quick to make! You can choose between a high or low rise at the waist too. 

I've made a version using our loopback modal jersey and they are so amazingly comfy to wear. That fabric comes in lots of different colours but I've featured the maroon colour-way here as I thought it paired really nicely with the maple dune viscose crepe I recommended above to go with the Indigo pattern. The loopback jersey is the perfect weight and doesn't loose it's thickness or colour density when its stretched, it washes super nicely as well!